Chain-link fence cost in Charleston, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,450 – $5,650
- Per linear ft
- $9.35 – $36.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #207
- 1 = most expensive
A chain-link fence in Charleston, SC usually costs $1,450 to $5,650 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $9.35 to $36.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $310 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $20.98 an hour in the Charleston area, 7% below the US median of $22.66.
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 Charleston, SC, standard level
$2,700 to $4,350
About $17.50 to $28.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,450 | $2,700 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $2,700 | $4,350 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Charleston, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,350 | $1,900 | 39% |
| Labor | $530 | $2,050 | $3,600 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 3% |
| Total | $1,450 | $3,550 | $5,650 | 100% |
What is behind the Charleston number
Labor is 58% 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 Charleston the blended ratio comes out at 0.89.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Charleston is at 96.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,450 nationally becomes $1,350 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.0: $40 to $150.
Cost by quality level and size in Charleston
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Charleston. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from backyard (100 linear ft) to full lot (300 linear ft).
Basic
$1,450 to $3,100
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,700 to $4,350
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 | $1,800 – $2,950 | $2,650 – $3,800 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,450 – $3,100 | $2,700 – $4,350 | $3,950 – $5,650 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,900 – $4,150 | $3,550 – $5,800 | $5,250 – $7,450 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,850 – $6,150 | $5,300 – $8,600 | $7,800 – $11,100 |
How Charleston compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Charleston. Savannah is the lowest at about $3,250 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SCthis page | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | |
| Hilton Head, SC65 miles | $1,450 – $5,700 | $3,550 | +1% |
| Florence, SC80 miles | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | level |
| Myrtle Beach, SC85 miles | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,350 | −6% |
| Columbia, SC95 miles | $1,400 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −2% |
| Savannah, GA95 miles | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | −8% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −1% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Charleston ranks #207 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Charleston is 1% above the South Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in South Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | level |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $1,400 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −2% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −1% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,350 | −6% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | level |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $1,450 – $5,700 | $3,550 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charleston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $1,400 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −2% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | +3% |
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $1,500 – $6,200 | $3,850 | +9% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | level |
Charleston weather and the chain-link fence calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Charleston City (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Charleston: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Charleston gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (6.1 inches in August). The station averages about 25 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58 | 44 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 46 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 66 | 52 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 72 | 60 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 68 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 74 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 77 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 77 | 6.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 73 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 63 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 53 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 61 | 47 | 2.9 | Workable |
Optional extras in Charleston
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.93 for Charleston, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.89) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $75 – $930 |
Why two Charleston quotes can differ
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.
Related projects, priced for Charleston
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Charleston wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−5%) and wood fence lowest (−8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| 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 | $3,550 – $10,700 | −6% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,450 | −7% |
What local crews earn in Charleston
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Charleston the blend is 0.89.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $20.98 an hour, which is 7% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $24.49 an hour. BLS counts 3,710 of them working in the area, 94.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $24.22 an hour, 17% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.37 and $29.52 an hour. About 1,240 work in the metro. That is 31.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $220 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 5.2% to 6.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Charleston-North Charleston has 394,170 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 66th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $18.00 | $20.98 | $24.49 | $22.66 | 0.93 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $21.37 | $24.22 | $29.52 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
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 $4,350 for Charleston, SC is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Charleston, SC 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 Charleston: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Charleston?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,450 to $5,650 in the Charleston area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,700 to $4,350. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Charleston?
About $9.35 to $36.50 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 Charleston or Hilton Head?
Hilton Head is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,550, which is 1% more than Charleston ($3,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charleston?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $2,050 out of $3,550. Materials are 39% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Charleston?
$1,900 to $7,450. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Charleston?
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 Charleston area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charleston expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Charleston is 1% above the South Carolina statewide estimate ($3,500 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Charleston?
The BLS median is $20.98 an hour in the Charleston area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.00 to $24.49.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Charleston?
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.
+Is there a bad season to install a chain-link fence in Charleston?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add one gate" add in Charleston?
$75 to $930, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Charleston
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).