Exterior House Painting cost: Broomfield vs Fort Collins (2026)
In 2026, exterior house painting is about 2% more expensive in Broomfield than in Fort Collins. Most homeowners pay around $3,250 in Broomfield versus $3,200 in Fort Collins — a gap of roughly $50.
Broomfield CO
Typically around $3,250
Fort Collins CO
Lower costTypically around $3,200
Broomfield vs Fort Collins: full breakdown
| Factor | Broomfield | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,250 | $3,200 |
| Estimated range | $1,850–$4,600 | $1,800–$4,550 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×1 | ×0.99 |
| Climate zone | Cold | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1.02 | ×1.02 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,300 | $2,250 |
| Materials/equipment | $950 | $950 |
These are 2026 planning figures for exterior house painting, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
Is the gap worth worrying about?
That 2% gap is small — for exterior house painting it's usually less than the spread between two local contractors' quotes, so the metro matters far less than who you hire and when you buy.
Exterior house painting by type: Broomfield vs Fort Collins
Each exterior house painting option, priced separately for both metros — the same local labor, climate and permit adjustments applied per city, so you can compare like for like.
| Type | Broomfield | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,750–$4,100 | $1,700–$4,000 |
| Wood siding | $1,950–$4,600 | $1,900–$4,550 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,250–$5,200 | $2,200–$5,150 |
| Stucco | $2,250–$5,100 | $2,200–$5,050 |
| Brick | $2,550–$5,600 | $2,500–$5,550 |
All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for exterior house painting — get an actual quote before you commit.
Exterior house painting by home size: Broomfield vs Fort Collins
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 | Broomfield | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,550–$3,550 | $1,500–$3,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $1,850–$4,600 | $1,800–$4,550 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,250–$5,600 | $2,200–$5,550 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,050–$7,150 | $3,000–$7,050 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $3,900–$8,650 | $3,800–$8,550 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $4,600–$10,200 | $4,550–$10,050 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
Cheapest time for exterior house painting in either city
Exterior paint only cures properly in dry, 50-85°F weather, which makes summer both the only real option and the most expensive one. Interior work has no such limit, so booking it in winter — the trade's slow season — is the cheaper play.
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 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.
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.
Broomfield vs Fort Collins
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Broomfield or Fort Collins?
In 2026, exterior house painting is cheaper in Fort Collins at about $3,200, versus $3,250 in Broomfield — a difference of about $50 (2%).
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Broomfield than Fort Collins?
Labor rates explain most of it — 1 in Broomfield vs 0.99 in Fort Collins. A cold climate versus cold accounts for the rest.
How much is exterior house painting in Broomfield, CO?
Broomfield homeowners can expect $1,850 to $4,600 for exterior house painting in 2026, with $3,250 the typical number.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
Timing doesn't change by city here — Winter for interior; dry spring/fall for exterior is the cheapest window in both Broomfield and Fort Collins, saving roughly 10–20% (interior, off-season). Avoid mid-summer (exterior peak) in either location, when emergency replacements push prices up.
Should I choose where to live based on exterior house painting cost?
That would be a stretch. $50 is a one-time difference, not an ongoing one, and off-season buying plus apples-to-apples bids in Broomfield can close a good chunk of it. What matters more long-term is energy costs, climate and the condition of the home.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik