Retaining Wall Cost Per Linear Foot: 2026 Guide

Cost per linear foot is a convenient shorthand, but it hides the most important variable: wall height. A 30-ft wall that is 2 ft tall costs far less per foot than the same 30-ft wall at 6 ft.

Cost per linear foot by material and height

These are installed costs (labour + materials) at a 4-ft wall height, which is the most common residential case:

• Segmental block (SRW): $120–$240 / linear ft
• Poured concrete: $160–$300 / linear ft
• Timber / sleepers: $80–$160 / linear ft
• Boulder / natural stone: $100–$220 / linear ft

At 2 ft tall, halve those numbers. At 6 ft (usually engineered), add 40–60%.

Why height matters more than length

The wall face area — length × height — is what drives labour and materials. A 4-ft wall uses roughly twice the blocks, twice the drain rock and twice the labour of a 2-ft wall for the same run. When you're pricing per linear foot, always anchor the number to a specific height.

What adds cost beyond material and height

• Drainage: drain rock, perforated pipe and filter fabric are not optional — budget $15–$30 / linear ft extra.
• Engineering and permit: past 4 ft (or any height with a surcharge) you're looking at $500–$2,000 for stamped drawings and permit fees.
• Site access and excavation: tight lots and heavy machinery time add quickly.
• Regional index: our calculator applies a per-state labour and material factor.

The bottom line

For rough budgeting, use $150–$250 per linear foot at 4 ft tall for a block wall. Run the calculator with your exact length, height and material to get a wall-face cost range and a full materials takeoff.