Interior painting costs $2–$6 per square foot of wall space, or $200–$800 per room. Exterior painting runs $3,500–$8,000 for an average home. Labor is 70–85% of the cost when you hire a pro — paint itself is surprisingly cheap. Here's the full breakdown.
Quick answer: Budget $1,500–$4,000 to paint an average home interior (3–4 bedrooms), or $3,500–$8,000 for the exterior. DIY cuts the cost by 60–70% since you're only buying paint and supplies.
| Room | DIY (paint only) | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom (12×12) | $80–$150 | $300–$600 |
| Bathroom | $60–$120 | $250–$500 |
| Kitchen | $70–$140 | $350–$700 |
| Living room (15×20) | $110–$200 | $450–$900 |
| Hallway | $60–$110 | $250–$500 |
| Whole house (3-bed, ~1,800 sf) | $500–$900 | $2,000–$4,500 |
| Whole house (4-bed, ~2,500 sf) | $700–$1,300 | $3,000–$6,500 |
Wall square footage is roughly 3× the floor square footage for rooms with 8-ft ceilings.
| House Size (sq ft) | Paint + Materials | Professional Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $400–$700 | $2,500–$4,500 |
| 1,500 | $500–$900 | $3,000–$5,500 |
| 2,000 | $600–$1,100 | $3,500–$6,500 |
| 2,500 | $750–$1,300 | $4,500–$8,000 |
| 3,000 | $900–$1,600 | $5,500–$10,000 |
Exterior square footage varies by number of stories, gables, dormers, and trim complexity.
| Paint Type | Cost/Gallon |
|---|---|
| Flat/matte | $25–$40 |
| Eggshell | $28–$45 |
| Satin | $30–$50 |
| Semi-gloss | $30–$50 |
| High-gloss | $35–$55 |
| Exterior acrylic latex | $35–$60 |
| Primer | $20–$35 |
Premium brands (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams) cost $50–$80/gallon but cover better and last longer. Budget paint often requires 3+ coats.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Paint (gallon) | $25–$60 |
| Primer (gallon) | $20–$35 |
| Roller covers (3-pack) | $8–$15 |
| Roller frame + extension pole | $15–$25 |
| 2" angled brush (for cutting in) | $8–$15 |
| Painter's tape (roll) | $5–$8 |
| Drop cloths (canvas, 9×12) | $15–$25 |
| Paint tray + liners | $5–$10 |
| Sandpaper (pack) | $5–$10 |
| Caulk + caulk gun | $8–$12 |
| DIY Total (1 room) | $100–$200 |
| DIY Total (whole interior) | $500–$1,200 |
| Factor | Interior | Exterior |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft (pro) | $2–$6 | $1.50–$3.50 |
| Typical project cost (pro) | $2,000–$5,000 | $3,500–$8,000 |
| Paint type | Latex (low-VOC) | 100% acrylic latex |
| Coats needed | 2 (primer + 2 if changing color) | 2 (primer if bare wood or color change) |
| How often to repaint | 5–10 years | 5–7 years (more for harsh climates) |
| DIY difficulty | Easy — the #1 beginner DIY project | Moderate — ladders, weather, more prep |
| Biggest time sink | Prep and cutting in | Pressure washing and scraping old paint |
Home size — the dominant factor. More wall area = more paint and more labor hours. A 2-story home costs 30–50% more for exterior painting due to ladder/scaffolding work.
Prep work — painters spend 60–70% of their time prepping, not painting. Homes with peeling paint, cracks, water damage, or bare wood need extensive scraping, patching, and priming. Expect $500–$2,000 extra for heavy prep on exteriors.
Number of colors — each additional color adds time for cutting in, cleaning brushes, and switching materials. Most painters include 1–2 colors in their quote; additional colors add $100–$300 each.
Ceiling height — standard 8-ft ceilings are straightforward. 9–10 ft ceilings add 15–25% to the cost. Vaulted ceilings or two-story foyers require scaffolding and can double the per-room cost.
Trim, doors, and windows — often quoted separately from walls. Budget $25–$75 per window/door for painting trim. Cabinet painting is $100–$250 per cabinet face.
Paint quality — premium paint ($50–$80/gallon) covers in fewer coats and lasts longer. Contractor-grade paint ($25–$35/gallon) requires more coats and fades faster. The paint cost difference on a whole house is only $200–$400, but the longevity difference is 3–5 years.
Geographic region — painters in high-cost cities (SF, NYC, Boston) charge $4–$8/sq ft; midwest and rural areas run $1.50–$3.50/sq ft.
Accessibility — steep rooflines, multi-story homes, tight spaces between houses, and heavy landscaping blocking walls all increase exterior costs 10–30%.
Calculate exactly how much paint you need with our Paint Calculator. See our paint coverage reference chart for a quick per-gallon coverage lookup.
$300–$600 professionally for walls only (about 400 sq ft of wall space). DIY costs $80–$150 in paint and supplies. Add $50–$100 if you're also painting the ceiling and trim.
A 12×12 room with 8-ft ceilings has about 400 sq ft of wall space. One gallon covers 350–400 sq ft per coat, so you need 2 gallons for 2 coats. Buy slightly extra — running short mid-wall means a visible color difference.
Painting is significantly cheaper. Exterior painting costs $3,500–$8,000 vs $8,000–$20,000+ for new siding. Painting buys you 5–7 more years. Replace siding when the substrate itself is damaged, not just the finish.
5–7 years on average. South and west-facing walls fade faster. Quality paint on well-prepped surfaces can last 10+ years. The biggest factor is surface prep — paint over peeling paint will fail in 2–3 years regardless of quality.
Stain for wood decks — it penetrates the grain and lets the wood breathe. Paint sits on top and will peel and crack on horizontal surfaces that take foot traffic and weather. Use our deck cost guide for more on deck maintenance costs.
Late spring through early fall when temperatures are 50–85°F with low humidity. Avoid painting in direct sunlight (causes bubbling), rain, or when overnight temperatures drop below 50°F. Morning shade sides first, then follow the sun.