Exterior House Painting cost: Macon vs Savannah (2026)
Macon runs 5% lower than Savannah for exterior house painting — expect around $3,000 in Macon against $3,150 in Savannah, a difference of about $150.
Macon GA
Lower costTypically around $3,000
Savannah GA
Typically around $3,150
Macon vs Savannah: full breakdown
| Factor | Macon | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,000 | $3,150 |
| Estimated range | $1,700–$4,300 | $1,800–$4,500 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.93 | ×0.97 |
| Climate zone | Hot | Hot |
| Climate factor | ×1.03 | ×1.03 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,100 | $2,200 |
| Materials/equipment | $900 | $950 |
All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for exterior house painting — get an actual quote before you commit.
Is the price difference a dealbreaker?
5% 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: Macon vs Savannah
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 | Macon | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,650–$3,850 | $1,700–$4,000 |
| Wood siding | $1,800–$4,300 | $1,900–$4,500 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,100–$4,900 | $2,200–$5,100 |
| Stucco | $2,100–$4,800 | $2,200–$5,000 |
| Brick | $2,400–$5,250 | $2,500–$5,500 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national exterior house painting range for local labor, climate and permits.
Exterior house painting by home size: Macon vs Savannah
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 | Macon | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,450–$3,350 | $1,500–$3,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $1,700–$4,300 | $1,800–$4,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,100–$5,250 | $2,200–$5,500 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $2,850–$6,700 | $3,000–$7,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $3,650–$8,150 | $3,800–$8,500 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $4,300–$9,600 | $4,500–$10,000 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
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?
Most of a paint quote is labor and prep, not paint. Our editors on where the money should go.
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.
The prep-first case
Most of a durable coat is what happens to the surface first: filling holes, scuffing old sheen so the paint grips, sealing seams. Premium paint over an unwashed, unsanded wall fails just as fast as the bargain stuff. Spend on the hours a crew puts into the wall, not the label on the bucket.
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.
Two numbers matter more than the total: how many hours go into prep and how many coats land on the wall. Get both right — real surface work, primer under two finish coats, timed to the season — and the result outlasts anything you'd save on the cheapest quote.
Macon vs Savannah
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Macon or Savannah?
Yes — Savannah costs more. Expect around $3,150 for exterior house painting there against $3,000 in Macon, about $150 (5%) apart in 2026.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Savannah than Macon?
Savannah's higher labor index (0.97 vs 0.93 in Macon) is the biggest factor, with the hot/hot climate split playing a smaller role.
How much is exterior house painting in Macon, GA?
Expect to pay $1,700 to $4,300 for exterior house painting in Macon in 2026, averaging around $3,000.
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 Macon and Savannah, 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 Savannah 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