Exterior House Painting cost: Aloha vs Portland (2026)
In 2026, Aloha and Portland land on nearly identical exterior house painting pricing — about $3,450 either way.
Aloha OR
Typically around $3,450
Portland OR
Typically around $3,450
Aloha vs Portland: full breakdown
| Factor | Aloha | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,450 | $3,450 |
| Estimated range | $1,950–$4,900 | $1,950–$4,900 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×1.09 | ×1.09 |
| Climate zone | Mixed | Mixed |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,400 | $2,400 |
| Materials/equipment | $1,050 | $1,050 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
A wash — choose on quality, not city
With no real price gap on exterior house painting, the choice comes down to contractor quality and timing, not which city you're in.
Exterior house painting by type: Aloha vs Portland
Below, each exterior house painting option is priced independently for both cities, with identical local labor, climate and permit logic applied — so the comparison holds up.
| Type | Aloha | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,850–$4,350 | $1,850–$4,350 |
| Wood siding | $2,050–$4,900 | $2,050–$4,900 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,400–$5,550 | $2,400–$5,550 |
| Stucco | $2,400–$5,450 | $2,400–$5,450 |
| Brick | $2,700–$5,950 | $2,700–$5,950 |
These are 2026 planning figures for exterior house painting, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
Exterior house painting by home size: Aloha vs Portland
Exterior painting is priced by the siding area, which tracks home size and the number of stories. Expect roughly $1–$4 per square foot of wall area; prep — scraping, sanding, and washing — often costs as much as the paint itself.
| Size | Aloha | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,650–$3,800 | $1,650–$3,800 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $1,950–$4,900 | $1,950–$4,900 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,400–$5,950 | $2,400–$5,950 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,250–$7,600 | $3,250–$7,600 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $4,100–$9,250 | $4,100–$9,250 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $4,900–$10,850 | $4,900–$10,850 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
What painting pros earn in each metro
Labor is about 70% of a exterior house painting bill, so local wages drive most of the gap. These are real metro hourly wages for skilled installers (BLS OEWS), not estimates.
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro · about 12% above the US average installer wage.
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro · about 12% above the US average installer wage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metro wages for HVAC installers (used as a trade-labor index).
Cheapest time for exterior house painting in either city
Because exterior paint needs warm, dry conditions, summer bookings are unavoidable and pricier. Interior painting sidesteps that constraint entirely — schedule it in winter, when crews have far less competing work.
What are you really paying for in a paint job?
Most of a paint quote is labor and prep, not paint. Our editors on where the money should go.
The prep-first case
Surface prep — patching, sanding, caulking, washing — is most of a lasting finish. A bid that's cheap because it skips prep will peel within a year. Pay for the prep, not the brand name.
The coverage case
Two coats over primer is the honest standard; one-coat bids hide thin coverage. Confirm coats and primer in writing so a "lower" price isn't just less paint on the wall.
The timing case
Interior work in the trade's slow winter season catches the best crews at the best price. Save exterior jobs for dry weather — rushing paint onto a damp or cold wall guarantees a redo.
Judge a paint quote by prep and coats, not the headline number. Good prep, two coats over primer and the right season beat a cheap bid every time.
Aloha vs Portland
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Aloha or Portland?
exterior house painting costs about the same in both — roughly $3,450 in each city.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Portland than Aloha?
Labor rates explain most of it — 1.09 in Portland vs 1.09 in Aloha. A mixed climate versus mixed accounts for the rest.
How much is exterior house painting in Aloha, OR?
In Aloha, exterior house painting typically runs $1,950–$4,900 in 2026, with most homeowners paying around $3,450.
Do painting pros really charge more in one city?
It's not a myth — BLS data puts installer wages at about $34.9/hr in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area and $34.9/hr in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro. Given labor is around 70% of a exterior house painting job's cost, that gap explains most of the price spread.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
No, the seasonal pattern is the same in Aloha and Portland: book during Winter for interior; dry spring/fall for exterior for about 10–20% (interior, off-season) in savings. Mid-summer (exterior peak) is the priciest stretch in both cities, mostly due to emergency replacements.
Should I choose where to live based on exterior house painting cost?
Cost shouldn't be the deciding factor between Aloha and Portland — they land at nearly the same price. Contractor reputation, scope, equipment tier and timing matter more.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik