Exterior House Painting cost: Annapolis vs Gaithersburg (2026)
There's essentially no price gap here: exterior house painting runs close to $3,350 in both Annapolis and Gaithersburg in 2026.
Annapolis MD
Typically around $3,350
Gaithersburg MD
Typically around $3,350
Annapolis vs Gaithersburg: full breakdown
| Factor | Annapolis | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,350 | $3,350 |
| Estimated range | $1,900–$4,800 | $1,900–$4,750 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×1.06 | ×1.05 |
| Climate zone | Mixed | Mixed |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,350 | $2,350 |
| Materials/equipment | $1,000 | $1,000 |
All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for exterior house painting — get an actual quote before you commit.
Basically a tie — focus on the contractor
The two metros are effectively a wash for exterior house painting — pick on contractor quality and timing, not location.
Exterior house painting by type: Annapolis vs Gaithersburg
We localize each exterior house painting type separately for both metros, applying the same labor, climate and permit adjustments each time, so you're comparing like for like.
| Type | Annapolis | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,800–$4,250 | $1,800–$4,200 |
| Wood siding | $2,000–$4,800 | $2,000–$4,750 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,350–$5,400 | $2,300–$5,350 |
| Stucco | $2,350–$5,300 | $2,300–$5,250 |
| Brick | $2,650–$5,850 | $2,650–$5,800 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
Exterior house painting by home size: Annapolis vs Gaithersburg
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 | Annapolis | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,600–$3,700 | $1,600–$3,700 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $1,900–$4,800 | $1,900–$4,750 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,350–$5,850 | $2,300–$5,800 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,200–$7,450 | $3,150–$7,350 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $4,050–$9,000 | $4,000–$8,950 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $4,800–$10,600 | $4,750–$10,500 |
These are 2026 planning figures for exterior house painting, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
What painting pros earn in each metro
With labor making up about 70% of a exterior house painting job, wage differences between metros do most of the work here. These figures are real BLS OEWS installer wages, not modeled estimates.
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metro · about 9% above the US average installer wage.
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro · about 7% 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
Summer is peak season for exterior painting because the weather demands it, and prices follow demand. Interior painting isn't weather-dependent at all, which makes it the cheapest job to book in a slow winter month.
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 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.
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 prep-first case
The finish that lasts is built before the first coat goes on — washing, sanding glossy spots, patching nail holes, caulking gaps. Skip that and the paint releases from the wall within a season, no matter whose can it came from. A bid comes in low mostly by cutting the prep hours, so read that line before you read the brand line.
The headline price on a painting bid tells you almost nothing — ask about prep and coat count instead. Two coats over primer, done in the right season, consistently outperforms the cheapest quote.
Annapolis vs Gaithersburg
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Annapolis or Gaithersburg?
There's no meaningful difference: exterior house painting runs about $3,350 in both places.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Gaithersburg than Annapolis?
It comes down to labor: Gaithersburg indexes at 1.05 against Annapolis's 1.06. The mixed-vs-mixed climate difference adds to the gap.
How much is exterior house painting in Annapolis, MD?
In Annapolis, exterior house painting typically runs $1,900–$4,800 in 2026, with most homeowners paying around $3,350.
Do painting pros really charge more in one city?
Yes — and the wage data shows it. A skilled installer earns about $33.9/hr in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area versus $33.4/hr around Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (BLS metro wage data). Since labor is roughly 70% of a exterior house painting job, that wage gap is the biggest reason the installed prices differ.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
No, the seasonal pattern is the same in Annapolis and Gaithersburg: 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?
No — the cost is essentially identical between Annapolis and Gaithersburg. Base the decision on the things that actually vary: contractor reputation, scope, equipment tier and timing.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik