Cost Guide · Updated May 2026
How much does it cost to paint a house?
Exterior house painting averages around $3,200 (typically $1,800–$8,000+ depending on size), and interior painting averages around $2,000 ($1,500–$5,000). That's roughly $2–$6 per square foot inside and $4.25–$7.95 outside.
Interior vs. exterior
| Job | Average | Typical range | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior painting | ~$2,000 | $1,500–$5,000 | $2–$6 / sq ft |
| Exterior painting | ~$3,200 | $1,800–$8,000+ | $4.25–$7.95 / sq ft |
Exterior cost by home size
| Home size | Typical exterior repaint |
|---|---|
| Small (~1,000–1,500 sq ft) | $1,800–$5,500 |
| Medium (~2,000 sq ft) | $4,400–$8,800 |
| Large 2-story (~2,500–3,000 sq ft) | $5,800–$10,000+ |
Number of coats, stories, surface (stucco/brick vs. siding), and prep work move these ranges significantly.
What's included
- Surface prep — cleaning, scraping, sanding, patching, and caulking
- Priming where needed and the agreed number of coats
- Trim, doors, paint and materials, plus cleanup and labor
- Usually separate: major carpentry, siding repair, or extensive rot
Signs it's time to paint
- Fading, chalking, peeling, cracking, or blistering paint
- Bare wood exposed or mildew growth
- It's been 5–10+ years since the exterior was painted
- Dated colors before selling the home
What moves the price
- Square footage and number of stories
- Prep work — scraping, sanding, patching, priming (where margin hides)
- Number of coats and paint grade
- Trim, doors, and detail work
- Region — high-cost metros run 20–40% above the national average
How to save on house painting
- Do your own prep — cleaning, light patching, and moving furniture cut labor.
- Get multiple quotes and confirm how many coats are included.
- Bundle interior and exterior into one engagement.
- Choose quality mid-grade paint — the cheapest paint needs recoating sooner.
- Book in the off-season when painters are less booked.
FAQ
How much does it cost to paint a house?
How much to paint a 2,500 sq ft house exterior?
What makes painting cost more?
Is interior or exterior painting cheaper?
For painters
The detailed estimate usually wins the job. JobStack helps you quote room-by-room fast, collect a deposit, and follow up on pending bids.
See JobStack for paintersCost ranges are national estimates compiled from cost-data sources including HomeAdvisor and CertaPro (2025). Actual prices vary by region, size, surface, and prep. This is a planning guide, not a quote. Prefer an instant estimate? Try the exterior painting cost calculator. More: all cost guides.