Exterior House Painting cost: Commerce City vs Fort Collins (2026)
In 2026, exterior house painting is about 11% more expensive in Commerce City than in Fort Collins. Most homeowners pay around $3,550 in Commerce City versus $3,200 in Fort Collins — a gap of roughly $350.
Commerce City CO
Typically around $3,550
Fort Collins CO
Lower costTypically around $3,200
Commerce City vs Fort Collins: full breakdown
| Factor | Commerce City | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,550 | $3,200 |
| Estimated range | $2,000–$5,050 | $1,800–$4,550 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×1.1 | ×0.99 |
| Climate zone | Cold | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1.02 | ×1.02 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,500 | $2,250 |
| Materials/equipment | $1,050 | $950 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
How much should this gap actually matter?
That's a real $350 difference (11%) on exterior house painting — worth factoring in, though off-season timing and a tighter quote in Commerce City can narrow it.
Exterior house painting by type: Commerce City 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 | Commerce City | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,900–$4,500 | $1,700–$4,000 |
| Wood siding | $2,150–$5,050 | $1,900–$4,550 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,450–$5,750 | $2,200–$5,150 |
| Stucco | $2,450–$5,600 | $2,200–$5,050 |
| Brick | $2,800–$6,200 | $2,500–$5,550 |
These are 2026 planning figures for exterior house painting, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
Exterior house painting by home size: Commerce City 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 | Commerce City | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,700–$3,950 | $1,500–$3,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $2,000–$5,050 | $1,800–$4,550 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,450–$6,200 | $2,200–$5,550 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,350–$7,850 | $3,000–$7,050 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $4,250–$9,550 | $3,800–$8,550 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $5,050–$11,250 | $4,550–$10,050 |
Exterior house painting numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
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.
Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro · about 15% above the US average installer wage.
No BLS metro wage series for Fort Collins; we use Colorado regional price parity instead.
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
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
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 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.
A paint job is only as good as the prep underneath it. Confirm coats and primer in writing, time the work to the season, and the finish will outlast a cheaper, thinner job.
Commerce City vs Fort Collins
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Commerce City or Fort Collins?
Fort Collins wins on price: exterior house painting runs about $3,200 there versus $3,550 in Commerce City, a gap of roughly $350 (11%) as of 2026.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Commerce City than Fort Collins?
The main driver is local labor rates: Commerce City's labor index is 1.1 versus 0.99 in Fort Collins. Climate zone (cold vs cold) also shift the total.
How much is exterior house painting in Commerce City, CO?
In Commerce City, exterior house painting typically runs $2,000–$5,050 in 2026, with most homeowners paying around $3,550.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
No, the seasonal pattern is the same in Commerce City and Fort Collins: 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 really — the $350 gap is one-time, and smart timing and tighter quotes in Commerce City can shrink it. Factors that compound over time, like energy prices and home condition, deserve more weight than a single upfront difference.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik