Chain-link fence cost in Racine, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,550 – $6,400
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $41.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #90
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a chain-link fence in Racine, plan on $1,550 to $6,400 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 $26.11 an hour in the Racine area, 15% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Racine, WI, standard level
$3,000 to $4,950
About $19.50 to $32 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 64% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $1,800 | $3,300 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $3,000 | $4,950 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Racine, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $840 | $1,350 | $1,850 | 34% |
| Labor | $660 | $2,550 | $4,450 | 64% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $1,550 | $3,950 | $6,400 | 100% |
Why Racine prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 60%, carpenters at 40%. Weighted together, Racine wages are 1.09 times the national level. Labor makes up about 64% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Racine metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,350, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.0) and land at $40 to $140.
Racine: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Racine 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 $4,950
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,450 to $6,400
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,350 | $2,000 – $3,350 | $3,000 – $4,300 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,550 – $3,500 | $3,000 – $4,950 | $4,450 – $6,400 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,050 – $4,600 | $3,950 – $6,550 | $5,900 – $8,500 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,050 – $6,900 | $5,950 – $9,750 | $8,800 – $12,700 |
Racine 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 Racine is 1.09 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $26.11 an hour, 15% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.83 and $33.66 an hour. About 540 work in the metro. That is 70.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $29.29 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.84 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the area, 42.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($33.66 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $460. At the 25th percentile ($21.83) it shrinks by about $260. The total moves by 11.7% or 6.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 76,280 jobs in the Racine-Mount Pleasant area. That makes it the 243rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $21.83 | $26.11 | $33.66 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $24.17 | $29.29 | $40.84 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Racine against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Racine. Kenosha comes closest at about $4,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WIthis page | $1,550 – $6,400 | $3,950 | |
| Milwaukee, WI10 miles | $1,550 – $6,650 | $4,100 | +4% |
| Kenosha, WI15 miles | $1,600 – $6,400 | $4,000 | +1% |
| Sheboygan, WI65 miles | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +2% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +7% |
| Chicago, IL70 miles | $1,800 – $7,550 | $4,650 | +17% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,550 – $6,500 | $4,050 | +2% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Racine comes in at #90 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Racine is 2% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,550 – $6,650 | $4,100 | +4% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $1,550 – $6,600 | $4,100 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,550 – $6,400 | $4,000 | level |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,600 – $6,700 | $4,150 | +4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +7% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Racine's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Racine against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $1,750 – $7,450 | $4,600 | +16% |
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $1,400 – $5,300 | $3,350 | −16% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $1,700 – $6,950 | $4,300 | +9% |
| Kenosha, WI | 75,450 jobs | $1,600 – $6,400 | $4,000 | +1% |
Climate in Racine: timing your chain-link fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Racine Batten Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Racine (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March 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.
Racine gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and November are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 7 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 | 31 | 16 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 19 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 28 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 37 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 46 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 57 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 63 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 63 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 55 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 32 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 36 | 22 | 1.6 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Racine?
Because every project leans on different trades, Racine's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +13% and vinyl fence −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,050 – $7,550 | −1% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,900 | −3% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,400 | level |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,500 | +13% |
Chain-link fence: what moves the price in Racine
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.
Gates
Gates are $80-$1,000+ before installation. Rolling or slide gates are the expensive end.
Optional extras in Racine
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Racine by the average of the local wage index (1.09) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.02. 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 – $1,000 |
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 $4,950 for Racine, WI is attached.
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Chain-link fence in Racine: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Racine?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,550 to $6,400 in the Racine area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,000 to $4,950. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Racine?
About $10 to $41.50 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 Racine or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,100, which is 4% more than Racine ($3,950). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Racine?
About 64% at the midpoint, or $2,550 out of $3,950. Materials are 34% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Racine?
$2,050 to $8,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Racine?
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 Racine area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Racine expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Racine is 2% below 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 Racine?
The BLS median is $26.11 an hour in the Racine area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.83 to $33.66.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Racine?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,550 to $3,500 and premium work $4,450 to $6,400. 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 Racine?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. July 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 Racine?
$80 to $1,000, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Racine
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).