Chain-link fence cost in Appleton, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,600 – $6,700
- Per linear ft
- $10.50 – $43.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +8%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #58
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a chain-link fence in the Appleton area: $1,600 to $6,700 for 150 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 8% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.49 an hour in the Appleton area, 26% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Appleton, WI, standard level
$3,100 to $5,150
About $20.50 to $33.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 66% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $1,900 | $3,500 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $110 |
| Total | $3,100 | $5,150 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Appleton, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $840 | $1,350 | $1,850 | 32% |
| Labor | $700 | $2,700 | $4,750 | 66% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $1,600 | $4,150 | $6,700 | 100% |
Where the Appleton price comes from
Labor is 66% 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 Appleton the blended ratio comes out at 1.17.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Appleton 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 92.4: $35 to $140.
Why two Appleton 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.
Cost by quality level and size in Appleton
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Appleton. 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
$1,600 to $3,650
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,100 to $5,150
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,650 to $6,700
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,450 | $2,100 – $3,500 | $3,150 – $4,500 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,600 – $3,650 | $3,100 – $5,150 | $4,650 – $6,700 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,100 – $4,800 | $4,150 – $6,850 | $6,150 – $8,900 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,150 – $7,150 | $6,150 – $10,200 | $9,200 – $13,200 |
Add-ons priced for Appleton
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.05 for Appleton, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.17) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $85 – $1,050 |
Who does the work: Appleton trade wages
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 Appleton the blend is 1.17.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $28.49 an hour, which is 26% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.86 and $36.28 an hour. BLS counts 1,030 of them working in the area, 82.9 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 $30.04 an hour, 3% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.40 and $40.83 an hour. About 700 work in the metro. That is 56.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $480 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $410. That is a swing of roughly 9.9% to 11.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Appleton has 124,230 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 174th 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% | $21.86 | $28.49 | $36.28 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $24.40 | $30.04 | $40.83 | $29.12 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Appleton
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Appleton wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+13%) and vinyl fence lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,150 – $7,700 | +2% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $9,050 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,900 – $11,600 | +2% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,500 | +13% |
Is Appleton cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Appleton. Wausau is the lowest at about $3,750 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 80 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WIthis page | $1,600 – $6,700 | $4,150 | |
| Oshkosh, WI20 miles | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +2% |
| Green Bay, WI20 miles | $1,550 – $6,400 | $4,000 | −4% |
| Sheboygan, WI50 miles | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | −2% |
| Wausau, WI80 miles | $1,500 – $6,000 | $3,750 | −9% |
| Milwaukee, WI100 miles | $1,550 – $6,650 | $4,100 | −1% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,550 – $6,500 | $4,050 | −2% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −7% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Appleton ranks #58 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Appleton is 2% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,550 – $6,650 | $4,100 | −1% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $1,550 – $6,600 | $4,100 | −1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,550 – $6,400 | $4,000 | −4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +2% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | −2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $1,550 – $6,600 | $4,050 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Appleton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $1,600 – $6,750 | $4,200 | +1% |
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $1,350 – $5,200 | $3,300 | −21% |
| Crestview, FL | 125,050 jobs | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −14% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $1,600 – $6,750 | $4,200 | +1% |
The best months for chain-link fence in Appleton
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Appleton (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 Appleton are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Appleton gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 25 | 10 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 29 | 12 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 22 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 34 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 46 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 61 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 51 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 39 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 43 | 28 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Dec | 31 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
Get 3 local quotes
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Chain-link fence in Appleton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Appleton?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,600 to $6,700 in the Appleton area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,100 to $5,150. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Appleton?
About $10.50 to $43.50 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 Appleton or Oshkosh?
Oshkosh is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,250, which is 2% more than Appleton ($4,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Appleton?
About 66% at the midpoint, or $2,700 out of $4,150. Materials are 32% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Appleton?
$2,100 to $8,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Appleton?
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 Appleton area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Appleton expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Appleton is 2% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($4,050 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Appleton?
The BLS median is $28.49 an hour in the Appleton area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.86 to $36.28.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Appleton?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,600 to $3,650 and premium work $4,650 to $6,700. 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 Appleton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September 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 Appleton?
$85 to $1,050, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Appleton
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).