Wood costs less up front, $20 to $50 per foot installed against $30 to $60 for vinyl on national figures. Vinyl costs less to keep, because it does not rot and termites cannot eat it. In Jackson, where rot and termites finish off most wood fences, that trade is worth a close look.
These price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor rates, material prices and what we find on your lot move a Jackson job up or down within a range. Last checked October 2026.
| Wood | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per foot | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 |
| Upkeep | Clean and seal every few years | Wash off mildew and algae |
| Weak point | Posts rot or get termites at the ground | Cracks on impact; can sag if posts move |
| Repairs | Board by board, post by post | Usually a full panel |
| Look | Natural grain, any stain color | Even color, limited choices |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Use pressure-treated pine for anything that touches the ground. Southern yellow pine absorbs preservative deeply, and a post rated for ground contact stands up to wet clay and termites. Cedar is a good picket: it stays flatter, moves less and resists decay above ground. It comes from far away, though, and costs more. Many Jackson fences pair treated pine posts and rails with cedar pickets.
Which fence lasts longest in Mississippi heat and humidity?
Aluminum and vinyl last longest, because moisture and insects do not harm them. Frost is hardly a factor in Jackson. Fences here wear out from rot, termites, sun and clay that will not hold still. A wood fence can still do well if its posts are ground-contact rated, its pickets stay off the dirt and it is sealed on a schedule. Whatever the material, the fence lasts longest when its posts are deep enough for the soil.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl | Solid panels catch storm wind, so posts matter |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood, vinyl or chain link | Leave no gap along the bottom |
| Small children | A solid fence and a self-latching gate | Mount the latch high |
| A pool | Aluminum or vinyl to pool code | Gates must close and latch themselves |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Add slats later for privacy |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl or aluminum | Higher price at the start |
| An older or historic street | Wood picket or ornamental metal | Ask the city about review first |
| Low, wet ground | Aluminum or chain link | Open fence lets water and wind through |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
For most large dogs, yes. The questions are how high the dog jumps and whether it can fit between pickets, not whether it can break the fence. Choose a taller panel for a jumper and closer picket spacing for a small or thin dog. For a dog that throws its weight at the fence, ask for a heavier residential or commercial grade.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
Treated pine privacy fence, 6 feet tall. It is the lowest-priced solid fence you can buy in Mississippi and tall enough for almost any dog. You can cut the bill further by using privacy fence only on the sides that face neighbors or the street and chain link on the side that faces woods.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
Decide the shared stretch together, and do the rest your own way. The fence you both pay for can only be one material, so agree on it and write down who pays what. Your other sides can be vinyl. If you cannot agree, build your own vinyl fence just inside your line at your own cost.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
That depends on the style. Shadowbox, capped board-on-board and most vinyl panels look the same from either yard. A plain dog-ear privacy fence has a smooth face and a face with posts and rails. Some cities and many covenants say which way the smooth face must point. Madison, for example, requires the smooth side of a wood fence to face the street. We ask before we build.
We cannot price a fence without seeing the yard, and the visit is free. Call (601) 476-1207 or text a photo of the fence line to the same number.