Chain-link fence cost in La Crosse, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,550 – $6,600
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $43
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +6%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #69
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a chain-link fence in the La Crosse area: $1,550 to $6,600 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 6% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.32 an hour in the La Crosse area, 25% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in La Crosse, WI, standard level
$3,050 to $5,100
About $20 to $33 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 65% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $1,850 | $3,450 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $110 |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,100 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in La Crosse, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $840 | $1,350 | $1,850 | 33% |
| Labor | $680 | $2,650 | $4,600 | 65% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $1,550 | $4,050 | $6,600 | 100% |
What is behind the La Crosse number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.32 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for La Crosse is 1.14 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 65% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. La Crosse 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 91.8: $35 to $140.
What nearby projects cost in La Crosse
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same La Crosse wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+8%) and vinyl fence lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,050 – $7,600 | level |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $8,950 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,400 | level |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $11,000 | +8% |
Who does the work: La Crosse 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 La Crosse the blend is 1.14.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $28.32 an hour, which is 25% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.49 and $35.41 an hour. BLS counts 610 of them working in the area, 72.3 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 $28.34 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.93 and $36.95 an hour. About 450 work in the metro. That is 53.3 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 $440 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $360. That is a swing of roughly 8.8% to 10.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
La Crosse-Onalaska has 84,380 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 228th 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% | $22.49 | $28.32 | $35.41 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $23.93 | $28.34 | $36.95 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
Extras that change the La Crosse total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.04 for La Crosse, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.14) 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 |
Specs and site conditions that change a La Crosse 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.
How La Crosse compares
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 $3,750 to $4,200 across La Crosse and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WIthis page | $1,550 – $6,600 | $4,050 | |
| Rochester, MN65 miles | $1,600 – $6,750 | $4,200 | +3% |
| Dubuque, IA85 miles | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −7% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | level |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $1,550 – $6,600 | $4,100 | level |
| Waterloo, IA105 miles | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | −8% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,550 – $6,500 | $4,050 | −1% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, La Crosse ranks #69 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, La Crosse is 1% 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 | level |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,550 – $6,400 | $4,000 | −2% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,600 – $6,700 | $4,150 | +2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +4% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is La Crosse against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −14% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | −8% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | level |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | −20% |
La Crosse: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to La Crosse. 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
$1,550 to $3,550
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,050 to $5,100
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,550 to $6,600
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,400 | $2,050 – $3,400 | $3,100 – $4,450 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,550 – $3,550 | $3,050 – $5,100 | $4,550 – $6,600 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,050 – $4,750 | $4,050 – $6,750 | $6,050 – $8,750 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,100 – $7,050 | $6,050 – $10,000 | $9,050 – $13,000 |
The best months for chain-link fence in La Crosse
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, La Crosse Wfo (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 La Crosse 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.
La Crosse gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 54 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 4.0 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 3 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 | 24 | 8 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 29 | 13 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 48 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 60 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 28 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
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Chain-link fence in La Crosse: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in La Crosse?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,550 to $6,600 in the La Crosse area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,050 to $5,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in La Crosse?
About $10 to $43 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 La Crosse or Rochester?
Rochester is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,200, which is 3% more than La Crosse ($4,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in La Crosse?
About 65% at the midpoint, or $2,650 out of $4,050. Materials are 33% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in La Crosse?
$2,050 to $8,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in La Crosse?
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 La Crosse area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is La Crosse expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
La Crosse is 1% 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 La Crosse?
The BLS median is $28.32 an hour in the La Crosse area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.49 to $35.41.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in La Crosse?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,550 to $3,550 and premium work $4,550 to $6,600. 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 La Crosse?
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 La Crosse?
$85 to $1,050, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near La Crosse
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).