Vinyl fence cost in Altoona, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $4,550 – $9,100
- Per linear ft
- $30 – $59.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $6,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #90
- 1 = most expensive
A vinyl fence in Altoona, PA usually costs $4,550 to $9,100 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $30 to $59.50 per linear ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Carpenters earn a median of $27.58 an hour in the Altoona area, 5% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Altoona, PA, standard level
$5,900 to $7,700
About $39 to $51 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,700 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $1,150 | $1,750 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $100 |
| Total | $5,900 | $7,700 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Altoona, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,800 | $5,300 | $6,800 | 78% |
| Labor | $720 | $1,450 | $2,150 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $4,550 | $6,800 | $9,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Altoona number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $27.58 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Altoona is 0.96 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 21% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Altoona is at 100.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,250 nationally becomes $5,300 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 89.5: $35 to $130.
Cost by quality level and size in Altoona
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Altoona. 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
$4,550 to $6,350
4-ft picket or ranch rail
Standard
$5,900 to $7,700
6-ft privacy fence, standard white
Premium
$7,250 to $9,100
Tall or colored privacy, many corners and gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $3,050 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,200 | $4,900 – $6,100 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $4,550 – $6,350 | $5,900 – $7,700 | $7,250 – $9,100 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $6,050 – $8,450 | $7,850 – $10,300 | $9,650 – $12,100 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $9,050 – $12,600 | $11,700 – $15,300 | $14,400 – $18,000 |
Extras that change the Altoona total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for Altoona, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.96) and goods price index (1.01). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $150 – $770 |
| Remove old fence | $1,450 – $2,950 |
Related projects, priced for Altoona
Jobs that often go together with vinyl fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Altoona wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, aluminum fence comes out highest (−1%) and concrete slab lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,000 – $7,550 | −2% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,000 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,750 – $11,300 | −1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,050 | −3% |
How Altoona compares
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Pittsburgh is the priciest of the group at $6,950. Hagerstown is the cheapest at $6,550.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PAthis page | $4,550 – $9,100 | $6,800 | |
| State College, PA35 miles | $4,600 – $9,250 | $6,900 | +2% |
| Chambersburg, PA50 miles | $4,500 – $8,950 | $6,700 | −1% |
| Harrisburg, PA65 miles | $4,550 – $9,200 | $6,900 | +1% |
| Hagerstown, MD65 miles | $4,350 – $8,700 | $6,550 | −4% |
| Pittsburgh, PA80 miles | $4,600 – $9,300 | $6,950 | +2% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $4,550 – $9,150 | $6,850 | level |
| United States | $4,550 – $9,150 | $6,850 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Altoona ranks #90 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Altoona is 0% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $4,500 – $9,150 | $6,800 | level |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $4,600 – $9,300 | $6,950 | +2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $4,550 – $9,200 | $6,900 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $4,550 – $9,200 | $6,900 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $4,550 – $9,200 | $6,900 | +1% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $4,550 – $9,150 | $6,850 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Altoona against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $4,550 – $9,200 | $6,850 | +1% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $4,300 – $8,750 | $6,500 | −4% |
| Niles, MI | 59,970 jobs | $4,250 – $8,600 | $6,400 | −6% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $4,150 – $8,200 | $6,200 | −9% |
Vinyl fence: what moves the price in Altoona
Removal
Taking down an old fence is $10-$20 per linear foot extra, with disposal.
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).
What local crews earn in Altoona
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 Altoona the blend is 0.96.
Carpenters (47-2031), 50% of the weighting: a median of $27.58 an hour, 5% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.09 and $36.73 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 61.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.03 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.45 and $24.02 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 59.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $240 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $140. That is a swing of roughly 2.1% to 3.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Altoona has 58,650 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 291st by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $22.09 | $27.58 | $36.73 | $29.12 | 0.95 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $18.45 | $22.03 | $24.02 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.96 | |||||
Altoona weather and the vinyl fence calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Altoona 3 W (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 Altoona are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
Altoona gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 38 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and September (4.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.6 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 | 34 | 19 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 20 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 49 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 33 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 24 | 3.4 | Cold |
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Vinyl fence in Altoona: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a vinyl fence in Altoona?
For 150 linear ft, expect $4,550 to $9,100 in the Altoona area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,900 to $7,700. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for vinyl fence in Altoona?
About $30 to $59.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $30 to $60.
+Is vinyl fence cheaper in Altoona or State College?
State College is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $6,900, which is 2% more than Altoona ($6,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Altoona?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $1,450 out of $6,800. Materials are 78% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 22%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Altoona?
$6,050 to $12,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does vinyl fence need a permit in Altoona?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $130 for fees in the Altoona area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Altoona expensive for vinyl fence compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Altoona is 0% below the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($6,850 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Altoona?
The BLS median is $27.58 an hour in the Altoona area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.09 to $36.73.
+What do basic and premium vinyl fence work cost in Altoona?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $4,550 to $6,350 and premium work $7,250 to $9,100. 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 Altoona?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March 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 Altoona?
$150 to $770, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Vinyl fence near Altoona
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.