Exterior House Painting cost: Hilo vs Waiau-Pacific Palisades (2026)
The two metros aren't quite in sync on exterior house painting: Hilo sits 4% below Waiau-Pacific Palisades, or roughly $3,400 versus $3,550 — about $150 apart.
Hilo HI
Lower costTypically around $3,400
Waiau-Pacific Palisades HI
Typically around $3,550
Hilo vs Waiau-Pacific Palisades: full breakdown
| Factor | Hilo | Waiau-Pacific Palisades |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,400 | $3,550 |
| Estimated range | $1,950–$4,850 | $2,000–$5,050 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×1.05 | ×1.09 |
| Climate zone | Hot | Hot |
| Climate factor | ×1.03 | ×1.03 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,400 | $2,500 |
| Materials/equipment | $1,000 | $1,050 |
Exterior house painting numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
Is the gap worth worrying about?
A 4% difference on exterior house painting is minor — you'll typically see a wider spread just from getting multiple quotes in the same city, so don't let location drive the decision.
Exterior house painting by type: Hilo vs Waiau-Pacific Palisades
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 | Hilo | Waiau-Pacific Palisades |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,850–$4,300 | $1,900–$4,500 |
| Wood siding | $2,050–$4,850 | $2,150–$5,050 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,400–$5,500 | $2,450–$5,750 |
| Stucco | $2,400–$5,400 | $2,450–$5,600 |
| Brick | $2,700–$5,950 | $2,800–$6,200 |
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: Hilo vs Waiau-Pacific Palisades
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 | Hilo | Waiau-Pacific Palisades |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,600–$3,800 | $1,700–$3,950 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $1,950–$4,850 | $2,000–$5,050 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,400–$5,950 | $2,450–$6,200 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,250–$7,550 | $3,350–$7,850 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $4,100–$9,200 | $4,250–$9,550 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $4,850–$10,800 | $5,050–$11,250 |
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
Exterior paint needs dry weather (50–85°F), so summer is peak and priciest. Interior work has no weather limit, and winter is the trade's slow season — the cheapest time to book.
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 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 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.
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.
Hilo vs Waiau-Pacific Palisades
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Hilo or Waiau-Pacific Palisades?
Hilo comes out ahead here, at roughly $3,400 for exterior house painting compared with $3,550 in Waiau-Pacific Palisades — a 4% ($150) gap as of 2026.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Waiau-Pacific Palisades than Hilo?
Labor rates explain most of it — 1.09 in Waiau-Pacific Palisades vs 1.05 in Hilo. A hot climate versus hot accounts for the rest.
How much is exterior house painting in Hilo, HI?
exterior house painting in Hilo runs $1,950–$4,850 as of 2026 — most jobs land near $3,400.
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 Hilo and Waiau-Pacific Palisades, 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?
Probably not. Yes, $150 is a real gap, but it's a one-time cost you can partly offset in Waiau-Pacific Palisades with off-season timing and tighter bids. Long-term factors like energy prices and home condition matter more than this one number.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik