Exterior House Painting cost: Kalihi-Palama vs Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale (2026)
Exterior house painting costs about the same in Kalihi-Palama and Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale in 2026 — roughly $3,550 in each.
Kalihi-Palama HI
Typically around $3,550
Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale HI
Typically around $3,550
Kalihi-Palama vs Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale: full breakdown
| Factor | Kalihi-Palama | Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,550 | $3,550 |
| Estimated range | $2,000–$5,050 | $2,000–$5,050 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×1.09 | ×1.09 |
| Climate zone | Hot | Hot |
| Climate factor | ×1.03 | ×1.03 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Materials/equipment | $1,050 | $1,050 |
All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for exterior house painting — get an actual quote before you commit.
A wash — choose on quality, not city
Neither metro has a cost edge on exterior house painting — spend your decision-making energy on the contractor, not the location.
Exterior house painting by type: Kalihi-Palama vs Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale
Every exterior house painting type gets its own localized price for each metro, using the same labor, climate and permit adjustments — a true apples-to-apples comparison.
| Type | Kalihi-Palama | Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,900–$4,500 | $1,900–$4,500 |
| Wood siding | $2,150–$5,050 | $2,150–$5,050 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,450–$5,750 | $2,450–$5,750 |
| Stucco | $2,450–$5,600 | $2,450–$5,600 |
| Brick | $2,800–$6,200 | $2,800–$6,200 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
Exterior house painting by home size: Kalihi-Palama vs Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale
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 | Kalihi-Palama | Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,700–$3,950 | $1,700–$3,950 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $2,000–$5,050 | $2,000–$5,050 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,450–$6,200 | $2,450–$6,200 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,350–$7,850 | $3,350–$7,850 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $4,250–$9,550 | $4,250–$9,550 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $5,050–$11,250 | $5,050–$11,250 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
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?
Paint is the smallest line item in a painting budget — prep and labor are where the real cost sits. Our editors on where to actually spend.
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
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 headline price on a painting bid tells you almost nothing — ask about prep and coat count instead. Two coats over primer, done in the right season, consistently outperforms the cheapest quote.
Kalihi-Palama vs Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Kalihi-Palama or Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale?
Not really — both cities land at almost the same number for exterior house painting, around $3,550 each.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale than Kalihi-Palama?
The main driver is local labor rates: Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale's labor index is 1.09 versus 1.09 in Kalihi-Palama. Climate zone (hot vs hot) also shift the total.
How much is exterior house painting in Kalihi-Palama, HI?
Kalihi-Palama homeowners can expect $2,000 to $5,050 for exterior house painting in 2026, with $3,550 the typical number.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
It doesn't vary by location — Winter for interior; dry spring/fall for exterior is the discount window in both Kalihi-Palama and Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale (roughly 10–20% (interior, off-season) off), while mid-summer (exterior peak) tends to be the most expensive in either city.
Should I choose where to live based on exterior house painting cost?
There's no cost argument here between Kalihi-Palama and Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale — they're a wash. Focus on contractor reputation, project scope, equipment tier and timing.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik