Wood fence cost: national prices and local ranges
Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- US range (150 linear ft)
- $3,050 – $7,650
- Per linear ft
- $20 – $50
- materials and labor
- Cheapest metro
- $4,350
- Brownsville, TX
- Priciest metro
- $7,050
- Honolulu, HI
A wood fence runs $3,050 to $7,650 nationally for 150 linear ft, or $20 to $50 per linear ft for materials and labor. Where you live moves that number a lot: across 300 metros the midpoint runs from $4,350 in Brownsville, TX to $7,050 in Honolulu, HI.
Estimate your wood fence cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in the US average, standard level
$4,400 to $6,250
About $29 to $41 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $1,950 | $2,550 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $4,400 | $6,250 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in the US
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,500 | $3,000 | $4,500 | 56% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,250 | $3,000 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,350 | $7,650 | 100% |
What basic, standard and premium mean
Basic
$3,050 to $4,900
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,400 to $6,250
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,800 to $7,650
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
Cost by size and quality level
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,050 – $3,300 | $2,950 – $4,200 | $3,900 – $5,150 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,050 – $4,900 | $4,400 – $6,250 | $5,800 – $7,650 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,050 – $6,500 | $5,850 – $8,300 | $7,700 – $10,200 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,050 – $9,700 | $8,750 – $12,400 | $11,500 – $15,200 |
How a wood fence job goes, step by step
- Confirm the line and the rules. Find your property line, check HOA and city height limits, and ask whether a permit is needed. Mark utilities first.
- Set posts. Posts go in holes dug to below the frost line where that applies, set in concrete or compacted gravel. Posts decide how long the fence lasts.
- Hang rails and pickets. Rails run between posts and pickets are fixed with nails or screws. Cedar and pressure-treated pine are the usual picks.
- Gates and finish. Gates need strong posts and hardware. Staining or sealing after the wood dries extends life.
What changes the price of a wood fence
Wood species
A 6-ft privacy fence is $25-$50 per linear foot installed; an 8-ft one goes up to $75. Tropical hardwood privacy fences run $35-$55 (HomeGuide).
Style
Split-rail and picket styles are cheaper to build than privacy fence, which uses more boards and takes more labor.
Height and permits
Fences over about 6 ft often need a permit and a setback check. Permits run $40-$150.
Slope and soil
Hills, rock, and tree roots slow post digging.
Composite
A composite wood-look privacy fence is $55-$85 per linear foot installed (HomeGuide).
Wages behind the national estimate
Carpenters (47-2031) do the largest share of the work, about 60% of the weighting. Their national median is $29.12 an hour. Among 300 metros with a published figure, the median runs from $17.13 in Brownsville, TX to $45.34 in Honolulu, HI, and the middle metro sits at $27.19. That ratio between the high and low end is 2.65 to 1, and it feeds straight into the labor line of the estimate.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $23.32 | $29.12 | $36.94 | $29.12 | 1.00 | US |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $18.57 | $22.66 | $28.72 | $22.66 | 1.00 | US |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Add-ons and extras
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.00 for the US, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.00) and goods price index (1.00). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $150 – $800 |
Does the season matter for wood fence?
Weather decides when exterior installation can happen. Using NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals for 300 metros, 40 have a comfortable season that lasts all year. A typical metro has 9 comfortable months. At the other end, Anchorage, AK, El Centro, CA, Yuma, AZ and Appleton, WI have the fewest (6 to 7).
Local pages show a month-by-month table for each metro. We do not change prices by month, because there is no reliable published seasonal price series.
How much the price varies by city
The national midpoint of $5,350 hides a wide spread. 33 of 300 metros come in at least 10% higher and 53 at least 10% lower; 214 land in between. The cheapest, Brownsville, is at $4,350, and the dearest, Honolulu, at $7,050. Half of all metros are above $5,100.
Most expensive metros for wood fence
| Metro | Range | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, HI | $4,100 – $9,950 | $7,050 |
| Kahului, HI | $3,950 – $9,650 | $6,800 |
| San Francisco, CA | $3,900 – $9,550 | $6,750 |
| San Jose, CA | $3,700 – $9,000 | $6,350 |
| Chicago, IL | $3,600 – $8,900 | $6,250 |
| New York, NY | $3,600 – $8,900 | $6,250 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $3,600 – $8,800 | $6,200 |
| Napa, CA | $3,600 – $8,800 | $6,200 |
| Vallejo, CA | $3,550 – $8,750 | $6,150 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $3,550 – $8,700 | $6,150 |
Least expensive metros for wood fence
| Metro | Range | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TX | $2,400 – $6,300 | $4,350 |
| Laredo, TX | $2,500 – $6,450 | $4,450 |
| McAllen, TX | $2,500 – $6,450 | $4,500 |
| Albany, GA | $2,500 – $6,500 | $4,500 |
| El Paso, TX | $2,550 – $6,500 | $4,550 |
| Texarkana, TX | $2,550 – $6,550 | $4,550 |
| Dothan, AL | $2,500 – $6,550 | $4,550 |
| Fort Smith, AR | $2,550 – $6,550 | $4,550 |
| Lubbock, TX | $2,550 – $6,600 | $4,600 |
| Abilene, TX | $2,550 – $6,600 | $4,600 |
Wood fence cost by state
| State | Range (150 linear ft) | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,650 – $6,850 | $4,750 |
| Alaska | $3,450 – $8,600 | $6,050 |
| Arizona | $2,950 – $7,350 | $5,150 |
| Arkansas | $2,650 – $6,700 | $4,650 |
| California | $3,550 – $8,750 | $6,150 |
| Colorado | $3,050 – $7,700 | $5,350 |
| Connecticut | $3,200 – $7,900 | $5,550 |
| Delaware | $2,950 – $7,400 | $5,150 |
| District of Columbia | $3,200 – $8,050 | $5,650 |
| Florida | $2,800 – $7,150 | $5,000 |
| Georgia | $2,750 – $7,050 | $4,900 |
| Hawaii | $3,950 – $9,700 | $6,800 |
| Idaho | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,050 |
| Illinois | $3,550 – $8,700 | $6,150 |
| Indiana | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,300 |
| Iowa | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 |
| Kansas | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,050 |
| Kentucky | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,000 |
| Louisiana | $2,650 – $6,800 | $4,750 |
| Maine | $3,000 – $7,550 | $5,300 |
| Maryland | $3,100 – $7,850 | $5,500 |
| Massachusetts | $3,450 – $8,450 | $5,950 |
| Michigan | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 |
| Minnesota | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 |
| Mississippi | $2,700 – $6,850 | $4,750 |
| Missouri | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 |
| Montana | $3,000 – $7,500 | $5,250 |
| Nebraska | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,950 |
| Nevada | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,300 |
| New Hampshire | $3,050 – $7,700 | $5,350 |
| New Jersey | $3,400 – $8,500 | $5,950 |
| New Mexico | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,050 |
| New York | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 |
| North Carolina | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 |
| North Dakota | $2,950 – $7,400 | $5,200 |
| Ohio | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,300 |
| Oklahoma | $2,650 – $6,750 | $4,700 |
| Oregon | $3,200 – $8,050 | $5,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 |
| Rhode Island | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,450 |
| South Carolina | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 |
| South Dakota | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,900 |
| Tennessee | $2,800 – $7,150 | $4,950 |
| Texas | $2,750 – $7,050 | $4,900 |
| Utah | $2,850 – $7,250 | $5,050 |
| Vermont | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 |
| Virginia | $2,950 – $7,450 | $5,200 |
| Washington | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 |
| West Virginia | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,900 |
| Wisconsin | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 |
| Wyoming | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 |
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 $4,400 to $6,250 for your area is attached.
Detailed wood fence report for your address, $9
Multi-page report for your address: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Wood fence cost: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence?
$3,050 to $7,650 for 150 linear ft at national prices, including a permit of $40 to $150.
+What is the average cost per linear ft?
$20 to $50 per linear ft, materials and labor. The mid-range is about $35.
+How much does the price vary by city?
A lot. The most expensive metro we cover is 62% above the cheapest for the same 150 linear ft job. The cheapest is Brownsville, TX; the priciest is Honolulu, HI.
+How much of the cost is labor?
About 42% at the national midpoint ($2,250). Materials are 56%.
+What do carpenters earn on a wood fence job?
The national BLS median is $29.12 an hour for carpenters, with the middle half earning $23.32 to $36.94. Local wages are what move this estimate from town to town.
+How much more does a premium wood fence job cost than a basic one?
At the national level, basic runs $3,050 to $4,900 and premium $5,800 to $7,650 for 150 linear ft. Basic means: pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft. Premium means: premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence.
+Can wood fence work be done in winter?
It depends on where you are. Weather decides when exterior installation can happen. Using NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals for 300 metros, 40 have a comfortable season that lasts all year. A typical metro has 9 comfortable months. At the other end, Anchorage, AK, El Centro, CA, Yuma, AZ and Appleton, WI have the fewest (6 to 7).
Related projects
Largest metros: Wood fence prices
- New York, NY$6,250 midpoint
- Los Angeles, CA$6,100 midpoint
- Chicago, IL$6,250 midpoint
- Dallas, TX$5,100 midpoint
- Houston, TX$5,000 midpoint
- Washington, DC$5,500 midpoint
- Philadelphia, PA$5,450 midpoint
- Atlanta, GA$5,050 midpoint
- Miami, FL$5,250 midpoint
- Boston, MA$6,000 midpoint
- Phoenix, AZ$5,200 midpoint
- San Francisco, CA$6,750 midpoint
- Seattle, WA$6,050 midpoint
- Minneapolis, MN$6,050 midpoint
- Detroit, MI$5,600 midpoint
- Riverside, CA$5,850 midpoint
- Denver, CO$5,500 midpoint
- San Diego, CA$6,050 midpoint
- Tampa, FL$4,950 midpoint
- Orlando, FL$4,850 midpoint
- Charlotte, NC$5,000 midpoint
- Baltimore, MD$5,450 midpoint
- St. Louis, MO$5,900 midpoint
- Austin, TX$4,850 midpoint
- Portland, OR$5,950 midpoint
- Las Vegas, NV$5,300 midpoint
- San Jose, CA$6,350 midpoint
- San Antonio, TX$4,750 midpoint
- Pittsburgh, PA$5,450 midpoint
- Columbus, OH$5,550 midpoint
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 Wood Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Vinyl Fence Cost? (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