Chain-link fence cost in Bismarck, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,500 – $6,050
- Per linear ft
- $9.70 – $39.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #141
- 1 = most expensive
Bismarck homeowners pay roughly $1,500 to $6,050 to install a chain-link fence at 150 linear ft, or $9.70 to $39.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Bismarck is almost level. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 95.7).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Bismarck, ND, standard level
$2,850 to $4,650
About $18.50 to $30.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $1,650 | $3,000 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $110 |
| Total | $2,850 | $4,650 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Bismarck, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $860 | $1,350 | $1,850 | 36% |
| Labor | $600 | $2,300 | $4,050 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $1,500 | $3,750 | $6,050 | 100% |
Why Bismarck prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 60%, carpenters at 40%. Weighted together, Bismarck wages are 0.99 times the national level. Labor makes up about 61% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Bismarck metro is 95.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,350, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.0) and land at $35 to $140.
Pick a size, pick a tier: chain-link fence pricing in Bismarck
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Bismarck wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$1,500 to $3,300
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,850 to $4,650
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,200 to $6,050
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,000 – $2,250 | $1,950 – $3,150 | $2,850 – $4,050 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,850 – $4,650 | $4,200 – $6,050 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,000 – $4,400 | $3,800 – $6,200 | $5,600 – $8,000 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,950 – $6,550 | $5,650 – $9,250 | $8,350 – $11,900 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Bismarck is 0.99 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $23.93 an hour, 6% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.87 and $29.41 an hour. About 620 work in the metro. That is 87.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $26.28 an hour, which is 10% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $30.71 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 71.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.41 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $340. At the 25th percentile ($21.87) it shrinks by about $130. The total moves by 9.0% or 3.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 71,270 jobs in the Bismarck area. That makes it the 258th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $21.87 | $23.93 | $29.41 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $22.75 | $26.28 | $30.71 | $29.12 | 0.90 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.99 | |||||
Bismarck against nearby metros and the rest of North Dakota
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 150 linear ft range from $3,550 to $4,100 across Bismarck and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, NDthis page | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | |
| Fargo, ND190 miles | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | +1% |
| Rapid City, SD210 miles | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −6% |
| Sioux Falls, SD305 miles | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −5% |
| St. Cloud, MN325 miles | $1,600 – $6,600 | $4,100 | +9% |
| Sioux City, IA380 miles | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | −3% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | +1% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +2% |
Across 300 US metros, Bismarck comes in at #141 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Bismarck is 1% below the North Dakota figure.
Other North Dakota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | 148,660 jobs | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Bismarck's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bismarck against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redding, CA | 71,550 jobs | $1,700 – $7,000 | $4,350 | +16% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $1,550 – $6,100 | $3,850 | +2% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +8% |
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +12% |
When to schedule chain-link fence in Bismarck
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Bismarck (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Bismarck (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Bismarck gets about 19 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 1.3 and 1.4 inches. The station averages about 21 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23 | 2 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 7 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 19 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 30 | 1.3 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 42 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 53 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 58 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 56 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 46 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 57 | 33 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 41 | 19 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 8 | 0.6 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in Bismarck
Because every project leans on different trades, Bismarck's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs level and wood fence −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,900 – $7,350 | −4% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,800 | −4% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,000 | −3% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,200 | level |
Chain-link fence: what moves the price in Bismarck
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.
Add-ons priced for Bismarck
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Bismarck by the average of the local wage index (0.99) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.98. 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) | $80 – $980 |
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 $2,850 to $4,650 for Bismarck, ND is attached.
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Chain-link fence in Bismarck: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Bismarck?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,500 to $6,050 in the Bismarck area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,850 to $4,650. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Bismarck?
About $9.70 to $39.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Bismarck or Fargo?
Fargo is 190 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,800, which is 1% more than Bismarck ($3,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bismarck?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $2,300 out of $3,750. Materials are 36% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Bismarck?
$2,000 to $8,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Bismarck?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $140 for fees in the Bismarck area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bismarck expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Bismarck is 1% below the North Dakota statewide estimate ($3,800 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in North Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Bismarck?
The BLS median is $23.93 an hour in the Bismarck area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.87 to $29.41.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Bismarck?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,500 to $3,300 and premium work $4,200 to $6,050. Basic means: 4-ft galvanized, front yard. Premium means: vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates.
+When is the best time to install a chain-link fence in Bismarck?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add one gate" add in Bismarck?
$80 to $980, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Bismarck
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).