Vinyl fence cost in Rochester, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $4,500 – $9,200
- Per linear ft
- $29.50 – $60.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $6,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #86
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a vinyl fence in Rochester, plan on $4,500 to $9,200 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $29.50 to $60.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 5% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 95.4).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Rochester, MN, standard level
$5,900 to $7,750
About $39 to $51 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 25% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,450 | $5,600 |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,100 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $110 |
| Total | $5,900 | $7,750 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Rochester, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,600 | $5,000 | $6,450 | 73% |
| Labor | $870 | $1,750 | $2,600 | 25% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $4,500 | $6,850 | $9,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Rochester number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 50%, construction laborers at 50%. Weighted together, Rochester wages are 1.16 times the national level. Labor makes up about 25% of the midpoint estimate (22% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Rochester metro is 95.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $5,000, compared with $5,250 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (90.8) and land at $35 to $140.
What nearby projects cost in Rochester
Because every project leans on different trades, Rochester's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, chain-link fence runs +9% and aluminum fence +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,150 – $7,850 | +3% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,750 | +9% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,950 – $11,700 | +3% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,700 – $5,550 | +8% |
Rochester labor market for vinyl 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 Rochester is 1.16 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 50%) the local median is $30.58 an hour, which is 5% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.59 and $38.84 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 37.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $28.55 an hour, 26% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.36 and $43.11 an hour. About 990 work in the metro. That is 80.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($38.84 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $210. At the 25th percentile ($23.59) it shrinks by about $180. The total moves by 3.1% or 2.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 122,980 jobs in the Rochester area. That makes it the 176th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $23.59 | $30.58 | $38.84 | $29.12 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $22.36 | $28.55 | $43.11 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
Extras that change the Rochester total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Rochester by the average of the local wage index (1.16) and goods index (0.95), a factor of 1.05. 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) | $160 – $820 |
| Remove old fence | $1,600 – $3,150 |
Climate in Rochester: timing your vinyl fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Rochester Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Rochester (7 of 12 months). 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.
Rochester gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 53 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 2.4 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 23 | 7 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 11 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 23 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 35 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 47 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 58 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 38 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 26 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 14 | 1.3 | Cold |
Is Rochester 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 $6,500 to $7,400 across Rochester and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MNthis page | $4,500 – $9,200 | $6,850 | |
| La Crosse, WI65 miles | $4,400 – $8,950 | $6,700 | −2% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $4,400 – $8,950 | $6,650 | −2% |
| Minneapolis, MN90 miles | $4,850 – $9,950 | $7,400 | +9% |
| Waterloo, IA100 miles | $4,300 – $8,700 | $6,500 | −5% |
| Dubuque, IA125 miles | $4,300 – $8,750 | $6,500 | −4% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $4,700 – $9,600 | $7,150 | +4% |
| United States | $4,550 – $9,150 | $6,850 | level |
Across 300 US metros, Rochester comes in at #86 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $8,350; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $6,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Rochester is 4% below the Minnesota figure.
Other Minnesota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $4,850 – $9,950 | $7,400 | +9% |
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $4,450 – $9,150 | $6,800 | level |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $4,450 – $9,100 | $6,750 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Rochester's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rochester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $4,150 – $8,250 | $6,200 | −9% |
| Midland, TX | 122,180 jobs | $4,250 – $8,550 | $6,400 | −6% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $4,400 – $9,050 | $6,750 | −1% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 122,020 jobs | $4,950 – $10,100 | $7,550 | +10% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: vinyl fence pricing in Rochester
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Rochester 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
$4,500 to $6,350
4-ft picket or ranch rail
Standard
$5,900 to $7,750
6-ft privacy fence, standard white
Premium
$7,300 to $9,200
Tall or colored privacy, many corners and gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $3,000 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,200 | $4,900 – $6,150 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $4,500 – $6,350 | $5,900 – $7,750 | $7,300 – $9,200 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $5,950 – $8,450 | $7,850 – $10,300 | $9,700 – $12,200 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $8,950 – $12,600 | $11,700 – $15,400 | $14,500 – $18,200 |
Why two Rochester quotes can differ
Permit
Fence permits run $40-$150 depending on location.
Type and height
A vinyl picket fence is $30-$45 per linear foot; a 6-ft privacy fence $40-$60, and 8-ft goes to $85 (HomeGuide).
Gates
A vinyl gate costs $150-$780 installed, more for large or complex ones.
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 $5,900 to $7,750 for Rochester, MN is attached.
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Vinyl fence in Rochester: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a vinyl fence in Rochester?
For 150 linear ft, expect $4,500 to $9,200 in the Rochester area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,900 to $7,750. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for vinyl fence in Rochester?
About $29.50 to $60.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $30 to $60.
+Is vinyl fence cheaper in Rochester or La Crosse?
La Crosse is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $6,700, which is 2% less than Rochester ($6,850). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rochester?
About 25% at the midpoint, or $1,750 out of $6,850. Materials are 73% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 22%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Rochester?
$5,950 to $12,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does vinyl fence need a permit in Rochester?
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 Rochester area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rochester expensive for vinyl fence compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Rochester is 4% below the Minnesota statewide estimate ($7,150 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Rochester?
The BLS median is $30.58 an hour in the Rochester area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.59 to $38.84.
+What do basic and premium vinyl fence work cost in Rochester?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $4,500 to $6,350 and premium work $7,300 to $9,200. Basic means: 4-ft picket or ranch rail. Premium means: tall or colored privacy, many corners and gates.
+When is the best time to install a vinyl fence in Rochester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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 Rochester?
$160 to $820, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Vinyl fence near Rochester
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 Vinyl Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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 are as cited ($25-$45/ft). HomeGuide reports basic labor at $5-$15/ft, so materials are most of the installed price.