How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House Exterior?
$3,000 – $10,000
National average: $5,000
Interactive worksheet
Exterior painting cost calculator
Set the scope, size, and state — the tally updates as you go. Built from this guide's figures and BLS state wage data.
01 Quality & scope
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State figures apply BLS construction wages (2025) at a 60% labor weight — how we estimate.
Your estimate
- Labor ≈60%
- $3,000
- Materials & equipment
- $2,000
- Planning range
- $4,500 – $5,500
low $3,000 $10,000 high
U.S. construction trades average $65,360/yr (BLS 2025).
Get three written bids. One far under $4,000 usually means missing scope — ask what's not included. Far over $6,000, ask what's driving the number.
More Exterior & Curb Appeal: 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.
| Component | 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 moves the price as much as any option you pick, because labor is a big share of the bill and construction wages differ sharply by state. Adjusted with BLS wage data (2025), a typical exterior painting job runs about $3,500 – $11,700 in Hawaii (+17%) versus $2,600 – $8,500 in Arkansas (−15%).
See the typical range in all 50 states + 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 |
Estimates apply each state's BLS construction-wage multiplier to this guide's national range, a planning number, not a quote. Browse the full state cost guides or our methodology.
Frequently asked 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: ranges reflect typical U.S. pricing for materials and professional installation, compiled and cross-checked against the current (2026) industry sources listed below (see our data & methodology). Your actual cost depends on your location, project size, material grade, and local labor rates — always get multiple written quotes before you commit.
Sources
Cost ranges on this page were checked against current (2026) data from these industry sources: