Exterior House Painting cost: Cedar Rapids vs Davenport (2026)
In 2026, Cedar Rapids and Davenport land on nearly identical exterior house painting pricing — about $3,000 either way.
Cedar Rapids IA
Typically around $3,000
Davenport IA
Typically around $3,000
Cedar Rapids vs Davenport: full breakdown
| Factor | Cedar Rapids | Davenport |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Estimated range | $1,700–$4,250 | $1,700–$4,250 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.93 | ×0.92 |
| Climate zone | Cold | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1.02 | ×1.02 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,100 | $2,100 |
| Materials/equipment | $900 | $900 |
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: Cedar Rapids vs Davenport
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 | Cedar Rapids | Davenport |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,600–$3,800 | $1,600–$3,750 |
| Wood siding | $1,800–$4,250 | $1,800–$4,250 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,100–$4,850 | $2,050–$4,800 |
| Stucco | $2,100–$4,750 | $2,050–$4,700 |
| Brick | $2,350–$5,200 | $2,350–$5,200 |
These are 2026 planning figures for exterior house painting, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
Exterior house painting by home size: Cedar Rapids vs Davenport
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 | Cedar Rapids | Davenport |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,400–$3,300 | $1,400–$3,300 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $1,700–$4,250 | $1,700–$4,250 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,100–$5,200 | $2,050–$5,200 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $2,850–$6,650 | $2,800–$6,600 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $3,600–$8,050 | $3,600–$8,000 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $4,250–$9,500 | $4,250–$9,400 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
Cheapest time for exterior house painting in either city
There's a hard weather floor for exterior work (50-85°F), which crowds all that demand into summer. Interior jobs dodge that limit, so winter — when painters are otherwise slow — is when they cost the least.
What are you really paying for in a paint job?
Two bids on the same room can differ by half, and the gap is almost never the paint itself — it's how much prep and how many coats each one includes. Here's what separates a finish that holds from one that doesn't.
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
A quote that promises 'one coat, done' is usually promising a thin film that telegraphs whatever was underneath. Primer and two finish coats is what holds the color and buries the old wall. Put both in writing; otherwise the cheaper bid is just less product spread further.
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.
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.
Cedar Rapids vs Davenport
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Davenport?
Not really — both cities land at almost the same number for exterior house painting, around $3,000 each.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Davenport than Cedar Rapids?
The main driver is local labor rates: Davenport's labor index is 0.92 versus 0.93 in Cedar Rapids. Climate zone (cold vs cold) also shift the total.
How much is exterior house painting in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Cedar Rapids homeowners can expect $1,700 to $4,250 for exterior house painting in 2026, with $3,000 the typical number.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
No, the seasonal pattern is the same in Cedar Rapids and Davenport: 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?
Not on this basis — Cedar Rapids and Davenport cost about the same. Weigh contractor quality, scope, equipment tier and timing instead.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik