Chain-link fence cost in State College, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,550 – $6,350
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $41.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #94
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a chain-link fence in State College, plan on $1,550 to $6,350 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $10 to $41.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 3% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $25.68 an hour in the State College area, 13% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in State College, PA, standard level
$3,000 to $4,900
About $19.50 to $32 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $1,650 |
| Labor | $1,700 | $3,150 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $3,000 | $4,900 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in State College, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $910 | $1,450 | $1,950 | 36% |
| Labor | $630 | $2,450 | $4,250 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $1,550 | $3,950 | $6,350 | 100% |
What is behind the State College number
Labor is 61% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (60%), carpenters (40%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In State College the blended ratio comes out at 1.05.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the State College metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,450, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.8) and land at $40 to $150.
Extras that change the State College total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to State College by the average of the local wage index (1.05) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 1.03. 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 – $1,050 |
Related projects, priced for State College
Because every project leans on different trades, State College's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +4% and wood fence +1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,050 – $7,700 | +1% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,600 – $9,250 | +1% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,600 | +4% |
State College labor market for chain-link fence
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 State College is 1.05 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $25.68 an hour, 13% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $30.00 an hour. About 620 work in the metro. That is 90.1 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 $26.77 an hour, which is 8% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.85 and $34.45 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 50.8 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 ($30.00 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $270. At the 25th percentile ($22.13) it shrinks by about $220. The total moves by 6.7% or 5.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 68,840 jobs in the State College area. That makes it the 263rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $22.13 | $25.68 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $22.85 | $26.77 | $34.45 | $29.12 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a State College bid
Survey
A land survey ($300-$900) is worth it before you put a fence near a boundary.
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.
Climate in State College: timing your chain-link fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for State College (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in State College (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
State College gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 44 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.2 inches in August). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 34 | 21 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 22 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 39 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 59 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 54 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 34 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 26 | 3.2 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in State College
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for State College 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
$1,550 to $3,500
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,000 to $4,900
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,450 to $6,350
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,350 | $2,050 – $3,300 | $3,000 – $4,300 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,550 – $3,500 | $3,000 – $4,900 | $4,450 – $6,350 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,100 – $4,600 | $4,000 – $6,500 | $5,900 – $8,400 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,100 – $6,900 | $5,950 – $9,700 | $8,800 – $12,600 |
Is State College cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than State College. Hagerstown is the lowest at about $3,600 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PAthis page | $1,550 – $6,350 | $3,950 | |
| Altoona, PA35 miles | $1,500 – $6,000 | $3,750 | −5% |
| Harrisburg, PA60 miles | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,900 | −2% |
| Chambersburg, PA70 miles | $1,500 – $5,800 | $3,650 | −8% |
| York, PA90 miles | $1,550 – $6,300 | $3,950 | −1% |
| Hagerstown, MD95 miles | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −9% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,900 | −2% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, State College comes in at #94 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, State College is 2% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $1,550 – $6,350 | $3,950 | level |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $1,550 – $6,250 | $3,900 | −2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,900 | −2% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,900 | −2% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $1,550 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like State College's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is State College against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $1,400 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −12% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | −5% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $1,500 – $6,000 | $3,750 | −5% |
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,600 | −9% |
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 $3,000 to $4,900 for State College, PA is attached.
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Multi-page report for State College, PA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. 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 State College: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in State College?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,550 to $6,350 in the State College area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,000 to $4,900. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in State College?
About $10 to $41.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in State College or Altoona?
Altoona is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,750, which is 5% less than State College ($3,950). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in State College?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $2,450 out of $3,950. Materials are 36% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in State College?
$2,100 to $8,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in State College?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $150 for fees in the State College area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is State College expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
State College is 2% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($3,900 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in State College?
The BLS median is $25.68 an hour in the State College area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.13 to $30.00.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in State College?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,550 to $3,500 and premium work $4,450 to $6,350. 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 State College?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and November 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 State College?
$80 to $1,050, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near State College
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).