Chain-link fence cost in North Carolina
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (150 linear ft)
- $1,450 – $5,650
- Per linear ft
- $9.35 – $36.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $3,850
- Metros covered
- 11
What does it cost to install a chain-link fence in North Carolina? Plan on $1,450 to $5,650 for 150 linear ft. Wages (0.89x the US blend), materials (price index 96.6) and permit costs (94.3) put the state below the national midpoint by 8%.
Inside North Carolina, the metros we cover range from $3,400 (Greensboro) to $3,650 (Asheville) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your chain-link fence cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in North Carolina (statewide), standard level
$2,700 to $4,400
About $17.50 to $28.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,450 | $2,700 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $2,700 | $4,400 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in North Carolina
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,400 | $1,900 | 39% |
| Labor | $540 | $2,100 | $3,600 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $140 | 3% |
| Total | $1,450 | $3,550 | $5,650 | 100% |
Quality levels and sizes in North Carolina
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide North Carolina wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$1,450 to $3,100
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,700 to $4,400
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$3,950 to $5,650
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $970 – $2,100 | $1,850 – $2,950 | $2,700 – $3,800 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,450 – $3,100 | $2,700 – $4,400 | $3,950 – $5,650 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,900 – $4,150 | $3,600 – $5,800 | $5,250 – $7,500 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,850 – $6,150 | $5,350 – $8,650 | $7,850 – $11,100 |
Add-ons priced for North Carolina
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to North Carolina by the average of the local wage index (0.89) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.93. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $75 – $930 |
Related projects, priced for North Carolina
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide North Carolina wages and prices. Against national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−5%) and wood fence lowest (−8%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,800 – $7,100 | −8% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,650 | −5% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $10,600 | −7% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,450 | −7% |
Which North Carolina city is cheapest for chain-link fence?
5 of the 11 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $3,550, and the top-to-bottom gap is 7%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (150 linear ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | +3% |
| Durham, NC | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,650 | +3% |
| Wilmington, NC | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | +2% |
| Charlotte, NC | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | +2% |
| Raleigh, NC | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | +2% |
| Hickory, NC | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −1% |
| Winston, NC | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −2% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −2% |
| Burlington, NC | $1,450 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −2% |
| Greenville, NC | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,450 | −3% |
| Greensboro, NC | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,400 | −4% |
When North Carolina weather lets you install
Season matters for chain-link fence. For each North Carolina metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for exterior installation.
Greensboro has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in North Carolina at 12 months; Burlington has the shortest at 11 (August through June). Rainfall runs from 41 inches a year in Asheville to 60 inches in Wilmington.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 32 | 90 | 44 | 11: August through June |
| Raleigh | 32 | 91 | 46 | 11: August through June |
| Greensboro | 30 | 89 | 46 | 12: all year |
| Durham | 32 | 91 | 46 | 11: August through June |
| Winston | 31 | 88 | 43 | 12: all year |
| Wilmington | 36 | 90 | 60 | 11: August through June |
| Asheville | 29 | 86 | 41 | 12: all year |
| Hickory | 30 | 87 | 47 | 12: all year |
| Fayetteville | 34 | 91 | 45 | 11: August through June |
| Greenville | 33 | 90 | 53 | 11: August through June |
| Burlington | 30 | 91 | 43 | 11: August through June |
Wages behind the North Carolina number
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 2 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 0.89 for North Carolina.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $21.50 an hour, 5% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $23.59 an hour. About 35,620 work in the state. That is 72.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $23.61 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.27 and $28.27 an hour. BLS counts 13,480 of them working in the state, 27.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for construction laborers ($23.59 an hour) would add about $130 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($17.97) would take off about $220. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 4,941,820 jobs across North Carolina (May 2025), which is 3.2% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $17.97 | $21.50 | $23.59 | $22.66 | 0.95 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $20.27 | $23.61 | $28.27 | $29.12 | 0.81 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
How North Carolina compares with nearby states
North Carolina ranks 40 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for chain-link fence, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $5,300 and the cheapest Arkansas at $3,250, both for 150 linear ft at the midpoint. North Carolina sits at $3,550. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 120 miles away | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −1% |
| Virginia | 180 miles away | $1,500 – $5,850 | $3,650 | +4% |
| West Virginia | 240 miles away | $1,400 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −2% |
| District of Columbia | 260 miles away | $1,650 – $6,450 | $4,050 | +14% |
| Georgia | 270 miles away | $1,400 – $5,400 | $3,400 | −4% |
Chain-link fence: what moves the price in North Carolina
Height
A 4-ft fence runs $10-$20 per linear foot; 6- to 8-ft backyard fences run $15-$40+ (HomeGuide).
Coating
Black or green vinyl-coated mesh costs more than galvanized.
Gates
Gates are $80-$1,000+ before installation. Rolling or slide gates are the expensive end.
Survey
A land survey ($300-$900) is worth it before you put a fence near a boundary.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $2,700 to $4,400 for North Carolina is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for North Carolina line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Chain-link fence in North Carolina: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in North Carolina?
$1,450 to $5,650 for 150 linear ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside North Carolina can sit above or below that.
+Which city in North Carolina is cheapest for chain-link fence?
Greensboro at about $3,400 (midpoint, 150 linear ft). The priciest is Asheville at $3,650.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in North Carolina than the US average?
It is 8% cheaper: $3,550 against $3,850 for 150 linear ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in North Carolina?
About 59% ($2,100). Materials are 39%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.89x the national wage level.
+What do construction laborers earn in North Carolina?
The BLS statewide median is $21.50 an hour, against $22.66 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.97 to $23.59.
+Where does North Carolina rank for chain-link fence costs?
40th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $3,550 for 150 linear ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in North Carolina?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $3,100 and premium work $3,950 to $5,650. Basic means: 4-ft galvanized, front yard. Premium means: vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates.
+Does the season matter for chain-link fence in North Carolina?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the North Carolina metros we cover, Greensboro has the most comfortable months (12 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add one gate" add in North Carolina?
$75 to $930, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence by city in North Carolina
- Asheville, NC$3,650 midpoint
- Durham, NC$3,650 midpoint
- Wilmington, NC$3,600 midpoint
- Charlotte, NC$3,600 midpoint
- Raleigh, NC$3,600 midpoint
- Hickory, NC$3,500 midpoint
- Winston, NC$3,500 midpoint
- Fayetteville, NC$3,500 midpoint
- Burlington, NC$3,450 midpoint
- Greenville, NC$3,450 midpoint
- Greensboro, NC$3,400 midpoint
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Chain-Link Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Visual Fence Pro: Chain Link Fence Cost & Pricing Guide for Contractors (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = Visual Fence Pro's $6-$13 per foot for residential galvanized 4-6 ft fence (taller or vinyl-coated fence costs more).