Exterior House Painting cost: Kensington vs Queens (2026)
In 2026, Kensington and Queens land on nearly identical exterior house painting pricing — about $3,750 either way.
Kensington NY
Typically around $3,750
Queens NY
Typically around $3,750
Kensington vs Queens: full breakdown
| Factor | Kensington | Queens |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,750 | $3,750 |
| Estimated range | $2,150–$5,350 | $2,150–$5,350 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×1.16 | ×1.16 |
| Climate zone | Cold | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1.02 | ×1.02 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,650 | $2,650 |
| Materials/equipment | $1,100 | $1,100 |
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
The two metros are effectively a wash for exterior house painting — pick on contractor quality and timing, not location.
Exterior house painting by type: Kensington vs Queens
Below, each exterior house painting option is priced independently for both cities, with identical local labor, climate and permit logic applied — so the comparison holds up.
| Type | Kensington | Queens |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $2,000–$4,750 | $2,000–$4,750 |
| Wood siding | $2,250–$5,350 | $2,250–$5,350 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,600–$6,050 | $2,600–$6,050 |
| Stucco | $2,600–$5,900 | $2,600–$5,900 |
| Brick | $2,950–$6,500 | $2,950–$6,500 |
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: Kensington vs Queens
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 | Kensington | Queens |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,800–$4,150 | $1,800–$4,150 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $2,150–$5,350 | $2,150–$5,350 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,600–$6,500 | $2,600–$6,500 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,550–$8,300 | $3,550–$8,300 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $4,500–$10,050 | $4,500–$10,050 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $5,350–$11,850 | $5,350–$11,850 |
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
Labor is about 70% of a exterior house painting bill, so local wages drive most of the gap. These are real metro hourly wages for skilled installers (BLS OEWS), not estimates.
New York-Newark-Jersey City metro · about 23% above the US average installer wage.
New York-Newark-Jersey City metro · about 23% above the US average installer wage.
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
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 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
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 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.
Kensington vs Queens
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Kensington or Queens?
Practically identical — expect around $3,750 for exterior house painting whichever city you're in.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Queens than Kensington?
Queens's higher labor index (1.16 vs 1.16 in Kensington) is the biggest factor, with the cold/cold climate split playing a smaller role.
How much is exterior house painting in Kensington, NY?
Expect to pay $2,150 to $5,350 for exterior house painting in Kensington in 2026, averaging around $3,750.
Do painting pros really charge more in one city?
They do, and the BLS wage data confirms it: installers earn about $38.3/hr around New York-Newark-Jersey City versus $38.3/hr near New York-Newark-Jersey City. With labor making up about 70% of a exterior house painting job, that difference carries straight through to the final price.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
No, the seasonal pattern is the same in Kensington and Queens: 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?
No — the cost is essentially identical between Kensington and Queens. Base the decision on the things that actually vary: contractor reputation, scope, equipment tier and timing.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik