Chain-link fence cost in San Antonio, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,400 – $5,300
- Per linear ft
- $8.90 – $34.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #254
- 1 = most expensive
A chain-link fence in San Antonio, TX usually costs $1,400 to $5,300 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $8.90 to $34.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $500 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.94 an hour in the San Antonio area, 16% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in San Antonio, TX, standard level
$2,550 to $4,150
About $16.50 to $27 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $1,350 | $2,500 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $2,550 | $4,150 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in San Antonio, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $840 | $1,350 | $1,850 | 40% |
| Labor | $490 | $1,900 | $3,350 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $140 | 3% |
| Total | $1,400 | $3,350 | $5,300 | 100% |
Why San Antonio prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $18.94 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for San Antonio is 0.82 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. San Antonio is at 93.8 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 94.7: $40 to $140.
Is San Antonio cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $3,050 to $3,500 across San Antonio and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TXthis page | $1,400 – $5,300 | $3,350 | |
| Austin, TX80 miles | $1,400 – $5,600 | $3,500 | +5% |
| Laredo, TX125 miles | $1,300 – $4,800 | $3,050 | −9% |
| Corpus Christi, TX130 miles | $1,400 – $5,400 | $3,400 | +2% |
| Killeen, TX130 miles | $1,350 – $5,200 | $3,250 | −2% |
| College Station, TX155 miles | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | −3% |
| Texas (statewide) | $1,450 – $5,450 | $3,450 | +3% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +15% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, San Antonio ranks #254 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, San Antonio is 3% below the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $1,500 – $5,750 | $3,600 | +8% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | +5% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $1,400 – $5,600 | $3,500 | +5% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $1,300 – $4,950 | $3,150 | −6% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $1,300 – $4,850 | $3,100 | −8% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $1,400 – $5,400 | $3,400 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Antonio against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $1,850 – $7,900 | $4,850 | +45% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $1,550 – $6,350 | $3,950 | +19% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $1,500 – $6,200 | $3,850 | +15% |
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +27% |
Planning more than one job in San Antonio?
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same San Antonio wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−9%) and gravel driveway lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,650 – $6,800 | −11% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,150 – $8,300 | −9% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,400 – $10,300 | −9% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,000 | −12% |
What local crews earn in San Antonio
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 San Antonio the blend is 0.82.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $18.94 an hour, which is 16% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.61 and $21.87 an hour. BLS counts 8,400 of them working in the area, 74.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $23.51 an hour, 19% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.91 and $26.49 an hour. About 2,240 work in the metro. That is 19.9 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 $180 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $80. That is a swing of roughly 2.4% to 5.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
San Antonio-New Braunfels has 1,126,880 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 28th 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% | $17.61 | $18.94 | $21.87 | $22.66 | 0.84 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $21.91 | $23.51 | $26.49 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: chain-link fence pricing in San Antonio
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to San Antonio. 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
$1,400 to $2,950
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,550 to $4,150
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$3,750 to $5,300
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $930 – $2,000 | $1,750 – $2,800 | $2,500 – $3,600 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,400 – $2,950 | $2,550 – $4,150 | $3,750 – $5,300 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,800 – $3,900 | $3,400 – $5,450 | $4,950 – $7,050 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,700 – $5,800 | $5,050 – $8,150 | $7,350 – $10,500 |
San Antonio 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, San Antonio Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in San Antonio are October through May: 8 of 12. Outside them, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
San Antonio gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, September and October (4.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 2.0 and 1.7 inches. The station averages about 122 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 | 63 | 41 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 68 | 45 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 74 | 52 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 80 | 58 | 2.4 | Workable |
| May | 87 | 66 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 92 | 73 | 3.3 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 75 | 2.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 96 | 75 | 2.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 90 | 70 | 3.9 | Hot |
| Oct | 82 | 60 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 50 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 65 | 42 | 2.0 | Workable |
Specs and site conditions that change a San Antonio bid
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.
Extras that change the San Antonio total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.88 for San Antonio, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.82) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $70 – $880 |
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 $2,550 to $4,150 for San Antonio, TX is attached.
Detailed chain-link fence report for San Antonio, TX, $9
Multi-page report for San Antonio, TX: 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 San Antonio: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in San Antonio?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,400 to $5,300 in the San Antonio area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,550 to $4,150. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in San Antonio?
About $8.90 to $34.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in San Antonio or Austin?
Austin is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,500, which is 5% more than San Antonio ($3,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Antonio?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $1,900 out of $3,350. Materials are 40% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in San Antonio?
$1,800 to $7,050. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in San Antonio?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $140 for fees in the San Antonio area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Antonio expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Texas?
San Antonio is 3% below the Texas statewide estimate ($3,450 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in San Antonio?
The BLS median is $18.94 an hour in the San Antonio area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.61 to $21.87.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in San Antonio?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,400 to $2,950 and premium work $3,750 to $5,300. 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 San Antonio?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. January and February 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 San Antonio?
$70 to $880, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near San Antonio
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).