Wood fence cost in Duluth, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,150 – $7,800
- Per linear ft
- $20.50 – $51
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #71
- 1 = most expensive
Duluth homeowners pay roughly $3,150 to $7,800 to install a wood fence at 150 linear ft, or $20.50 to $51 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Duluth is almost level. Carpenters earn a median of $29.10 an hour in the Duluth area, 0% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Duluth, MN, standard level
$4,550 to $6,400
About $30 to $42 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,300 | $3,450 |
| Labor | $2,200 | $2,850 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $100 |
| Total | $4,550 | $6,400 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Duluth, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,850 | $4,300 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,700 | $2,500 | $3,350 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $130 | 2% |
| Total | $3,150 | $5,450 | $7,800 | 100% |
Why Duluth prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 60%, construction laborers at 40%. Weighted together, Duluth wages are 1.12 times the national level. Labor makes up about 46% of the midpoint estimate (42% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Duluth metro is 95.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $2,850, compared with $3,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (88.8) and land at $35 to $130.
Wood fence: what moves the price in Duluth
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.
What nearby projects cost in Duluth
Because every project leans on different trades, Duluth's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, chain-link fence runs +9% and vinyl fence level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,450 – $9,150 | level |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,750 | +9% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,000 – $11,800 | +4% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,100 | level |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Duluth is 1.12 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 60%) the local median is $29.10 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $36.50 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 49.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $29.49 an hour, 30% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.29 and $37.00 an hour. About 1,390 work in the metro. That is 111.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($36.50 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $340. At the 25th percentile ($23.05) it shrinks by about $280. The total moves by 6.3% or 5.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 124,710 jobs in the Duluth area. That makes it the 173rd 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) | 60% | $23.05 | $29.10 | $36.50 | $29.12 | 1.00 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $23.29 | $29.49 | $37.00 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
Extras that change the Duluth total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Duluth by the average of the local wage index (1.12) and goods index (0.95), a factor of 1.04. 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 – $830 |
When to schedule wood fence in Duluth
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Duluth (5 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 Duluth (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.
Duluth gets about 31 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 90 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 2.5 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 2 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 | 20 | 2 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 25 | 6 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 36 | 18 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 49 | 30 | 2.5 | Workable |
| May | 63 | 41 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 72 | 50 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 76 | 55 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 67 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 53 | 36 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 37 | 23 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 25 | 10 | 1.5 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood fence pricing in Duluth
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Duluth 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
$3,150 to $5,000
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,550 to $6,400
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,950 to $7,800
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,100 – $3,350 | $3,050 – $4,300 | $4,000 – $5,250 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,150 – $5,000 | $4,550 – $6,400 | $5,950 – $7,800 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,200 – $6,650 | $6,050 – $8,500 | $7,850 – $10,300 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,250 – $9,950 | $9,000 – $12,700 | $11,800 – $15,400 |
Is Duluth cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Minneapolis is the priciest of the group at $6,050. Wausau is the cheapest at $5,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MNthis page | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,450 | |
| St. Cloud, MN155 miles | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | −1% |
| Minneapolis, MN160 miles | $3,500 – $8,550 | $6,050 | +10% |
| Eau Claire, WI175 miles | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −2% |
| Wausau, WI210 miles | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,000 | −8% |
| Fargo, ND215 miles | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | −5% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | +4% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −2% |
Across 300 US metros, Duluth comes in at #71 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $7,050; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $4,350 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Duluth is 4% below the Minnesota figure.
Other Minnesota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $3,500 – $8,550 | $6,050 | +10% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $3,150 – $7,850 | $5,500 | +1% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Duluth's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Duluth against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestview, FL | 125,050 jobs | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −10% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,450 | −1% |
| Norwich, CT | 126,450 jobs | $3,100 – $7,750 | $5,450 | level |
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $2,650 – $6,750 | $4,700 | −14% |
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Detailed wood fence report for Duluth, MN, $9
Multi-page report for Duluth, MN: 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 in Duluth: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Duluth?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,150 to $7,800 in the Duluth area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,550 to $6,400. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Duluth?
About $20.50 to $51 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Duluth or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 155 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,400, which is 1% less than Duluth ($5,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Duluth?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $2,500 out of $5,450. Materials are 52% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Duluth?
$4,200 to $10,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Duluth?
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 Duluth area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Duluth expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Duluth is 4% below the Minnesota statewide estimate ($5,700 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Duluth?
The BLS median is $29.10 an hour in the Duluth area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.05 to $36.50.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Duluth?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,150 to $5,000 and premium work $5,950 to $7,800. Basic means: pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft. Premium means: premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence.
+When is the best time to install a wood fence in Duluth?
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 Duluth?
$160 to $830, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Duluth
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