More Siding & Exterior: Siding Replacement ·Stucco ·Garage Door Replacement ·Foundation Repair
A fresh coat of exterior paint protects your home and transforms its look — and it’s one of the better-value curb-appeal projects. Painting a house exterior costs $3,000 to $10,000 in 2026, averaging around $5,000, or about $1.50–$4.50 per square foot.
What you’re paying for
As with interior work, the paint is cheap and the labor is everything — typically 60–80% of the bill. A proper exterior job means power-washing, scraping and sanding peeling paint, caulking gaps, priming bare spots, and protecting landscaping before a drop of finish paint goes on. That prep is what separates a 7–10 year job from one that peels in two.
Cost by home size
Exterior cost tracks closely with wall area and height. The table below shows typical totals by home size for a roughly 1.5-story house.
Why prep and siding matter
Two homes the same size can quote very differently. Siding type is a big factor: smooth lap siding paints quickly, while stucco, brick, and rough cedar soak up more paint and labor. Condition is the other: a home with widespread peeling, rot, or failed caulk needs far more prep than one in good shape. Always ask what prep is included — it’s where cheap bids cut corners.
How to save on exterior painting
- Get three detailed quotes and confirm the prep scope in writing.
- Keep it to two colors (body + trim) to limit masking labor.
- Choose premium paint that lasts longer and covers in two coats.
- Do minor prep yourself (cleaning, light scraping) if you’re able.
- Schedule in the off-peak shoulder season for better pricing.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Labor (prep + paint) | 60–80% of total | – |
| Paint & primer | $40 – $80 / gallon | – |
| Surface prep & repairs | varies | – |
| Equipment (scaffold/lift) | $0 – $1,000 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,500 – $4,500 | – |
| 1,500 sq ft | $2,500 – $6,500 | – |
| 2,000–2,500 sq ft | $3,800 – $9,200 | – |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $6,000 – $13,000+ | – |
What affects the price
- Home size & stories More wall area and added height (needing ladders or lifts) raise both labor and time.
- Siding type Smooth surfaces paint fast; stucco, brick, and textured siding use more paint and labor.
- Prep & repairs Scraping peeling paint, sanding, caulking, and repairs are the bulk of a good job.
- Paint quality Premium exterior paint costs more but lasts longer and covers in fewer coats.
- Number of colors Multiple body, trim, and accent colors add labor for cutting in and masking.
Exterior painting cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical exterior painting job costs about $3,500 to $11,700 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $2,600 to $8,500 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,600 – $8,700 |
| Alaska | $3,400 – $11,500 |
| Arizona | $2,900 – $9,500 |
| Arkansas | $2,600 – $8,500 |
| California | $3,400 – $11,200 |
| Colorado | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Connecticut | $3,200 – $10,700 |
| Delaware | $2,900 – $9,800 |
| District of Columbia | $3,200 – $10,800 |
| Florida | $2,700 – $9,100 |
| Georgia | $2,800 – $9,200 |
| Hawaii | $3,500 – $11,700 |
| Idaho | $2,800 – $9,400 |
| Illinois | $3,400 – $11,500 |
| Indiana | $3,000 – $10,100 |
| Iowa | $2,900 – $9,700 |
| Kansas | $2,900 – $9,500 |
| Kentucky | $2,800 – $9,300 |
| Louisiana | $2,700 – $9,000 |
| Maine | $2,900 – $9,800 |
| Maryland | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Massachusetts | $3,400 – $11,500 |
| Michigan | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Minnesota | $3,300 – $10,900 |
| Mississippi | $2,600 – $8,700 |
| Missouri | $3,100 – $10,200 |
| Montana | $2,900 – $9,800 |
| Nebraska | $2,800 – $9,400 |
| Nevada | $3,100 – $10,300 |
| New Hampshire | $3,000 – $9,900 |
| New Jersey | $3,400 – $11,400 |
| New Mexico | $2,800 – $9,200 |
| New York | $3,300 – $11,000 |
| North Carolina | $2,700 – $9,000 |
| North Dakota | $3,000 – $10,100 |
| Ohio | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Oklahoma | $2,700 – $9,100 |
| Oregon | $3,300 – $11,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,000 – $10,100 |
| Rhode Island | $3,100 – $10,400 |
| South Carolina | $2,700 – $9,100 |
| South Dakota | $2,700 – $9,000 |
| Tennessee | $2,800 – $9,200 |
| Texas | $2,700 – $9,100 |
| Utah | $2,800 – $9,400 |
| Vermont | $2,900 – $9,700 |
| Virginia | $2,900 – $9,500 |
| Washington | $3,500 – $11,600 |
| West Virginia | $2,900 – $9,500 |
| Wisconsin | $3,100 – $10,400 |
| Wyoming | $3,000 – $9,900 |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?
- Most homes run $3,000–$10,000, averaging around $5,000, or $1.50–$4.50 per square foot. A 2,000–2,500 sq ft home typically lands at $3,800–$9,200.
- What does exterior painting cost per square foot?
- Expect $1.50–$4.50 per square foot of home, with the higher end reflecting multiple stories, heavy prep, or textured siding like stucco.
- Why is labor most of the cost?
- Prep — power-washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, and priming — plus careful application is where the time goes. Labor is typically 60–80% of an exterior job.
- How long does exterior paint last?
- A quality job lasts 7–10 years (sometimes more for fiber cement or premium paint). Skipping prep is why cheap jobs fail in 2–3 years.
- When is the best time to paint outside?
- Dry, mild weather — late spring through early fall in most regions. Paint needs moderate temperatures and low humidity to cure properly.
- Can I paint my house exterior myself?
- Single-story homes are a feasible (if labor-intensive) DIY. Multi-story homes, heavy prep, and spray application are usually better left to pros for safety and finish quality.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources: