Exterior House Painting cost: Bloomington vs Coon Rapids (2026)
In 2026, Bloomington and Coon Rapids land on nearly identical exterior house painting pricing — about $3,600 either way.
Bloomington MN
Typically around $3,600
Coon Rapids MN
Typically around $3,600
Bloomington vs Coon Rapids: full breakdown
| Factor | Bloomington | Coon Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,600 | $3,600 |
| Estimated range | $2,050–$5,150 | $2,050–$5,150 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×1.12 | ×1.12 |
| Climate zone | Cold | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1.02 | ×1.02 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Materials/equipment | $1,100 | $1,100 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
No real cost edge either way
The two metros are effectively a wash for exterior house painting — pick on contractor quality and timing, not location.
Exterior house painting by type: Bloomington vs Coon Rapids
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 | Bloomington | Coon Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,950–$4,600 | $1,950–$4,600 |
| Wood siding | $2,200–$5,150 | $2,200–$5,150 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,500–$5,850 | $2,500–$5,850 |
| Stucco | $2,500–$5,750 | $2,500–$5,750 |
| Brick | $2,850–$6,300 | $2,850–$6,300 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
Exterior house painting by home size: Bloomington vs Coon Rapids
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 | Bloomington | Coon Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,700–$4,000 | $1,700–$4,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $2,050–$5,150 | $2,050–$5,150 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,500–$6,300 | $2,500–$6,300 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,450–$8,050 | $3,450–$8,050 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $4,350–$9,750 | $4,350–$9,750 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $5,150–$11,450 | $5,150–$11,450 |
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.
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro · about 18% above the US average installer wage.
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro · about 18% 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's exterior-painting rush is really a weather requirement, not a preference, and prices reflect it. Interior work has no such requirement, making the trade's quiet winter months the cheapest time to book it.
What are you really paying for in a paint job?
The paint can is almost beside the point. Our editors on what actually drives a painting budget — and where corners get cut.
The coverage case
One-coat quotes win on price by putting less paint on the wall, and you see the difference within months as the old color ghosts through. The defensible standard is primer plus two finish coats. Get coat count and primer named in the contract so a lower number can't quietly mean thinner coverage.
The timing case
Winter is dead season for interior painters, and the good crews will take your rooms then at a rate they won't quote in July. Exterior work runs the opposite calendar — it needs dry, mild days, so hold it for spring or fall. Paint rolled onto a cold or damp wall never cures right, and you end up paying for the job twice.
The prep-first case
Most of a durable coat is what happens to the surface first: filling holes, scuffing old sheen so the paint grips, sealing seams. Premium paint over an unwashed, unsanded wall fails just as fast as the bargain stuff. Spend on the hours a crew puts into the wall, not the label on the bucket.
Don't shop a painting quote on price alone — shop it on prep and coat count. Get those two right and the season timed correctly, and the result beats a bargain bid every time.
Bloomington vs Coon Rapids
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Bloomington or Coon Rapids?
Practically identical — expect around $3,600 for exterior house painting whichever city you're in.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Coon Rapids than Bloomington?
The main driver is local labor rates: Coon Rapids's labor index is 1.12 versus 1.12 in Bloomington. Climate zone (cold vs cold) also shift the total.
How much is exterior house painting in Bloomington, MN?
Expect to pay $2,050 to $5,150 for exterior house painting in Bloomington in 2026, averaging around $3,600.
Do painting pros really charge more in one city?
Yes — and the wage data shows it. A skilled installer earns about $36.7/hr in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area versus $36.7/hr around Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington (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 Bloomington and Coon Rapids: 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?
There's no cost argument here between Bloomington and Coon Rapids — they're a wash. Focus on contractor reputation, project scope, equipment tier and timing.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik