Exterior House Painting cost: Fort Collins vs Greeley (2026)
Fort Collins runs 3% higher than Greeley for exterior house painting — expect around $3,200 in Fort Collins against $3,100 in Greeley, a difference of about $100.
Fort Collins CO
Typically around $3,200
Greeley CO
Lower costTypically around $3,100
Fort Collins vs Greeley: full breakdown
| Factor | Fort Collins | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,200 | $3,100 |
| Estimated range | $1,800–$4,550 | $1,750–$4,450 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.99 | ×0.97 |
| Climate zone | Cold | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1.02 | ×1.02 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,250 | $2,150 |
| Materials/equipment | $950 | $950 |
Exterior house painting numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
How much should this gap actually matter?
3% is within noise for exterior house painting — contractor selection and timing move the price more than which of these two metros you're in.
Exterior house painting by type: Fort Collins vs Greeley
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 | Fort Collins | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,700–$4,000 | $1,650–$3,950 |
| Wood siding | $1,900–$4,550 | $1,850–$4,450 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,200–$5,150 | $2,150–$5,000 |
| Stucco | $2,200–$5,050 | $2,150–$4,900 |
| Brick | $2,500–$5,550 | $2,450–$5,400 |
Exterior house painting numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
Exterior house painting by home size: Fort Collins vs Greeley
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 | Fort Collins | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,500–$3,500 | $1,500–$3,450 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $1,800–$4,550 | $1,750–$4,450 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,200–$5,550 | $2,150–$5,400 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,000–$7,050 | $2,950–$6,900 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $3,800–$8,550 | $3,750–$8,350 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $4,550–$10,050 | $4,450–$9,850 |
All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for exterior house painting — get an actual quote before you commit.
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?
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
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 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.
A low bid usually buys you less prep and one thin coat, which reads as savings right up until the wall starts showing wear. Ask what surface work is included and how many coats you're getting before you line the totals up against each other.
Fort Collins vs Greeley
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Fort Collins or Greeley?
Greeley wins on price: exterior house painting runs about $3,100 there versus $3,200 in Fort Collins, a gap of roughly $100 (3%) as of 2026.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Fort Collins than Greeley?
It comes down to labor: Fort Collins indexes at 0.99 against Greeley's 0.97. The cold-vs-cold climate difference adds to the gap.
How much is exterior house painting in Fort Collins, CO?
Expect to pay $1,800 to $4,550 for exterior house painting in Fort Collins in 2026, averaging around $3,200.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
The best window is the same in both Fort Collins and Greeley: Winter for interior; dry spring/fall for exterior, when demand drops and installers discount to keep crews busy — typically 10–20% (interior, off-season) off peak pricing. The most expensive time anywhere is an emergency replacement during mid-summer (exterior peak).
Should I choose where to live based on exterior house painting cost?
Not really — the $100 gap is one-time, and smart timing and tighter quotes in Fort Collins 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