Chain link fence cost runs about $10 to $20 per linear foot installed for most homes, with a full range of $8 to $40 depending on height, coating and site conditions. A typical residential job totals $1,300 to $3,600. Gates, privacy slats and rocky soil add to the price.
How much does a chain link fence cost per foot?
Chain link fence cost per foot is easy to find and hard to trust, because every guide uses different job samples. Still, most published guides land in the same neighborhood. HomeAdvisor, which updated its chain link page in June 2026, puts installed cost at $10 to $20 per linear foot for the average homeowner, and $8 to $40 across every height and type. Fixr, whose guide was last updated in January 2025, gives a typical range of $13 to $27 per foot, including labor.
Height is the first thing that moves the number. Taller fence needs longer posts, more mesh and more labor. Here is how the two sources compare by height, installed.
| Fence height | HomeAdvisor (per linear foot) | Fixr (per linear foot) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 feet | $8 to $20 | $13.15 to $23.50 |
| 5 feet | $9 to $22 | $13.80 to $24.10 |
| 6 feet | $10 to $29 | $15.25 to $25.40 |
| 8 feet | $12 to $34 | $16.25 to $26.55 |
| 10 feet | $17 to $40 | $17.85 to $28.25 |
These are national figures, not Gama Fence quotes. Tucson prices can land above or below them, and the two sources disagree at the edges, which is normal for cost data built from different job samples. Use the table to sanity-check a quote, not to replace one.
How much does a chain link fence cost for a typical yard?
For a 100 foot run of 6 foot fence with one walk gate and privacy slats, the published ranges add up to roughly $1,400 to $4,350. The table below shows where each piece comes from. It is our arithmetic on the published ranges, not a price list.
| Item | Published range | Cost for this example |
|---|---|---|
| 6 foot fence, installed, 100 linear feet | $10 to $29 per foot (HomeAdvisor) | $1,000 to $2,900 |
| One standard swing gate | $100 to $450 installed (HomeAdvisor) | $100 to $450 |
| Privacy slats, 100 linear feet | $3 to $10 per foot (HomeAdvisor) | $300 to $1,000 |
| Removing an old fence (only if needed) | $3 to $5 per foot (HomeAdvisor) | $300 to $500 extra |
| Total without removal | $1,400 to $4,350 |
HomeAdvisor's own average for a whole project is $2,420, with a typical range of $1,297 to $3,588. That lines up with a basic fence and no slats.
What changes the price of a chain link fence?
Six things do most of the work in any chain link fence installation cost. Knowing them tells you why two quotes for the same yard can differ by a thousand dollars.
Is galvanized or vinyl-coated chain link cheaper?
Galvanized is cheaper. Fixr lists galvanized steel at $13.15 to $28.50 per foot installed and black vinyl-coated at $18.75 to $32.50, with other vinyl colors reaching $40.50. That is a premium of roughly $4 to $6 per foot for the coating. In return you get a finished look in black, green or brown, plus extra corrosion protection. HomeAdvisor says coated wire can stretch a fence's life toward 30 years.
Plain galvanized is fine for a back lot, a dog run or a commercial yard. Coated chain link is the usual pick for a front-facing fence or an HOA neighborhood. If your HOA has a say, read our guide to HOA fence rules in Tucson before you choose a color.
How do gauge and diamond size affect cost?
Thicker wire costs more. For homes, 11 or 11.5 gauge is standard. For commercial and security fencing, we recommend 9 gauge or heavier. Smaller mesh costs more too. HomeAdvisor prices 2 inch diamond mesh at $3 to $8 per foot and 1 inch mesh at $8 to $15 per foot. Most yards never need the smaller mesh.
What does a chain link gate cost?
Gates are priced apart from the fence. HomeAdvisor puts a standard residential swing gate at $100 to $450 installed. Fixr lists a swing gate at $90 to $250, a double swing gate at $180 to $500, and a rolling gate from $200 to $4,400. A wide driveway opening with an operator costs far more than a walk gate. If you want one, see our automatic gates page.
How much do privacy slats cost?
HomeAdvisor lists slats at $3 to $10 per linear foot. Chain link shows everything on both sides, so many homeowners add them. Price slats into your first quote. Adding them later means paying for a second visit.
Do Tucson soil and slopes raise the price?
They can. Fixr names rocky soil, concrete cutting, grading and clearing as cost factors, and Tucson has plenty of rocky ground. Caliche, the cement-like soil layer found across much of the Tucson basin, slows post holes. HomeAdvisor lists excavation at $120 to $150 per hour. Sloped lots also take more skill, because the fence has to follow the grade. We install on slopes and rocky desert terrain using racking techniques, but a flat, soft yard will always cost less than a sloped, rocky one.
What about old fence removal and permits?
Tear-out runs $3 to $5 per foot, and HomeAdvisor lists permits at $20 to $60. Rules differ by city and neighborhood, so check before you build. Our Tucson fence permit guide covers what to ask.
Is chain link cheaper than wood, vinyl or iron?
Yes, chain link is usually the least expensive of the common fence types. HomeAdvisor compares it at $8 to $40 per linear foot against $20 to $50 for wood. The price gap is the main reason chain link is the standard for large lots, commercial yards and dog runs.
The tradeoff is privacy and looks. A plain chain link fence marks a boundary and keeps pets in, but it does not hide your yard. If privacy matters more than budget, a solid fence may be worth the extra money. Our wood, vinyl and metal comparison covers that choice, and our chain link vs. ornamental iron guide covers commercial properties. If you want privacy and low maintenance in metal, a corrugated metal fence is the other option to price.
| Fence type | Typical installed cost per foot | Privacy |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link | $8 to $40 (HomeAdvisor) | Low, unless you add slats |
| Wood | $20 to $50 (HomeAdvisor) | High |
| Corrugated metal | $25 to $65 (HomeGuide, as quoted in our corrugated fence guide) | High |
How long does a chain link fence last in Arizona?
HomeAdvisor says a well-maintained chain link fence lasts 15 to 20 years, and up to about 30 years with coated wire. We use hot-dip galvanized fabric and posts for Arizona, because the zinc coating resists the corrosion that desert sun and monsoon moisture cause. Chain link needs little upkeep beyond an occasional check for damage and clearing debris from the mesh.
Should you install chain link yourself?
You can, and it will cut the labor line. Fixr puts labor at $10 to $20 per foot, and HomeAdvisor puts mesh at $5 to $8 per foot and posts at about $3 per foot. That makes materials alone roughly $8 to $11 per foot by our math. But a straight, tight fence takes the right stretching tools, set posts and a plan for the gate. A crooked top rail or a sagging line is hard to fix. Our crews finish most chain link projects in one to two days.
How do you get an accurate chain link fence quote?
Because no national average knows your lot, get a written quote that breaks the job into pieces. Ask for these before you sign:
- Total linear feet, fence height and fabric gauge
- Galvanized or vinyl-coated, and the color
- Number, size and type of gates
- Privacy slats, top rail and any security extras
- Old fence removal and who hauls it away
- Permit and HOA approval, and who handles them
- Contractor license number and proof of insurance
We do not publish a flat price list, because height, soil and gates change every job. Gama Fence installs chain link fencing across Tucson, with free same-day estimates, no obligation. We also build residential fencing and commercial fencing in other materials, and we serve Marana, Oro Valley and the rest of Southern Arizona from our Tucson base.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a chain link fence cost for 100 feet?
Using HomeAdvisor's per-foot ranges, 100 feet of 4 to 6 foot fence runs roughly $800 to $2,900 installed, before gates and slats. Fixr's ranges give about $1,525 to $2,540 for 6 foot fence. Add the gate and any extras to reach your total.
Is chain link the cheapest fence you can buy?
Among the common residential types, usually yes. HomeAdvisor lists it well below wood. Temporary or wire-only options can cost less, but they do not last.
Does vinyl coating add much to the cost?
Roughly $4 to $6 per foot, based on the gap between Fixr's galvanized and black vinyl-coated ranges. The coating adds color and corrosion protection.
Can you add privacy to a chain link fence?
Yes. Slats woven into the mesh add privacy for roughly $3 to $10 per linear foot, according to HomeAdvisor. We also offer windscreen and slat options on sports court fencing.
Do you need a permit for a chain link fence?
It depends on the city, the height and your neighborhood. HomeAdvisor lists permit fees at $20 to $60. Check the rules where you live before you build, or ask your contractor to handle it.
How long does chain link installation take?
Most of our projects are done in one to two days. Rocky soil, slopes and long runs take longer.
Get a chain link fence quote in Tucson
Chain link is the most affordable way to fence a large area in the desert, as long as the gauge, coating and posts fit your site. Request a free chain link fence estimate or call (520) 808-9151 for a same-day estimate. We are ROC licensed (#316344) and fully insured.
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