Painting · national cost guide
Exterior House Painting cost (2026)
Exterior house painting costs $1,800–$4,500 in 2026, or about $3,150 for a typical job. Painting a home's exterior — siding, trim and prep. Sun and weather exposure affect how long the finish lasts. That national figure is the starting point — labor rates, climate and permit fees move it, so a exterior house painting in San Jose prices differently than in El Paso.
Most jobs land around $3,150 nationally — your city moves this.
Exterior House Painting cost by type
National ranges by option. Localize any of these to your city below.
| Type | National 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,700 – $4,000 |
| Wood siding | $1,900 – $4,500 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,200 – $5,100 |
| Stucco | $2,200 – $5,000 |
| Brick | $2,500 – $5,500 |
Exterior House Painting cost by home size
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.
| home size | National 2026 range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $1,800 – $4,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,200 – $5,500 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $3,800 – $8,500 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $4,500 – $10,000 |
National ranges before local adjustment — pick a city below to localize any row.
Exterior House Painting cost by efficiency tier
Outside, paint grade matters even more because the finish fights sun, rain, and temperature swings. Premium exterior paint holds color and seals better, stretching the years between repaints — which saves on the labor-heavy prep each cycle.
| Tier | National 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Builder / economy paint≈$25–40/gal; shorter lifespan, fades sooner | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Mid-grade paint≈$40–60/gal; solid weather resistance, best value | $1,800 – $4,000 |
| Premium paint≈$60–100/gal; top fade/UV resistance, longest life | $2,400 – $5,000 |
Where this number comes from
The 2026 national range for exterior house painting ($1,800–$4,500) is anchored to published industry, contractor and manufacturer pricing for the equipment plus typical installation labor. City pages take that range and adjust it three ways: the labor share is repriced from BLS OEWS metro trade wages where available and the BEA Regional Price Parity index elsewhere, the painting load is adjusted for the IECC climate zone, and a typical local permit fee is added.
- LaborBLS OEWS metro wages · BEA RPP
- ClimateIECC / DOE climate zones
- IncentivesIRS 25C/25D status · DSIRE
Every figure here is a research estimate, not a quote. Read the full method and sources in how we estimate costs.
Additional exterior house painting costs to budget for
These line items sit outside the base quote often enough that leaving them out is the most common way a budget slips.
| Power washing / surface cleaning | $150 – $400 |
| Scraping & sanding old paintPer sq ft; heavy peeling adds significant labor | $0.5 – $2 |
| Caulking & gap sealing | $100 – $400 |
| Trim, fascia & soffit paintingPer linear foot | $1 – $4 |
| Wood/siding repair or rot replacement | $200 – $1,500 |
| Priming bare or weathered surfacesPer sq ft; required on bare wood and stains | $0.5 – $1.5 |
| Lead paint testing/abatement (pre-1978 homes) | $300 – $1,500 |
How long does exterior house painting last?
Exterior paint lasts about 5–7 years; wood siding and harsh sun/coastal exposure are on the short end, while fiber-cement and protected walls can stretch to 10+.
Wash siding yearly to remove mildew and dirt, and touch up cracked caulk or chips early before water gets behind the paint.
Signs you need exterior house painting
- Paint is fading, chalking, or has lost its sheen on sun-facing walls
- Peeling, blistering, or bubbling — a sign moisture is getting underneath
- Cracking or alligatoring (a scaly, checkerboard pattern) in the film
- Caulk is dried out and pulling away from trim and joints
- Bare wood or stains are showing through the finish
- Mildew, dark streaks, or water stains that keep coming back
Repair or replace?
Repair if…
- A few chips, cracks, or a peeling patch in one spot
- Caulk has failed at a window or joint but the field paint is sound
- You have the matching paint and the finish is only a couple years old
Replace if…
- Peeling, chalking, or fading shows across several walls
- The whole exterior is 5–7+ years old and looking tired
- Multiple touch-ups no longer blend with the weathered surface
- You're selling and want strong, uniform curb appeal
Popular exterior house painting estimates
Cities homeowners are searching most for this project — with the local 2026 range.
exterior house painting guides & advice
All guides →Where exterior house painting costs the most & least
Localized 2026 estimates across major U.S. cities. Tap any city for the full local breakdown.
Most affordable
Exterior House Painting cost by state
Choose your state below; we've localized this project for 558+ cities across 51 states.
- Alabama9
- Alaska3
- Arizona15
- Arkansas7
- California73
- Colorado8
- Connecticut7
- Delaware2
- District of Columbia1
- Florida39
- Georgia14
- Hawaii3
- Idaho8
- Illinois16
- Indiana11
- Iowa9
- Kansas8
- Kentucky8
- Louisiana9
- Maine3
- Maryland5
- Massachusetts14
- Michigan15
- Minnesota9
- Mississippi5
- Missouri12
- Montana5
- Nebraska3
- Nevada7
- New Hampshire1
- New Jersey10
- New Mexico6
- New York22
- North Carolina16
- North Dakota5
- Ohio12
- Oklahoma3
- Oregon8
- Pennsylvania13
- Rhode Island2
- South Carolina10
- South Dakota3
- Tennessee13
- Texas39
- Utah8
- Vermont1
- Virginia16
- Washington18
- West Virginia4
- Wisconsin17
- Wyoming3
Prefer a full list? Browse all 558+ cities →
What affects the price
- Home size and number of stories
- Siding material and condition
- Amount of prep and repair
- Paint quality and warranty
Ways to cut the cost
- Repaint before bare wood weathers
- Quality UV-resistant paint lasts longer
- Schedule in the dry season
- Fix siding issues early
Cheapest time for exterior house painting
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.
Questions to ask Painting contractors
Ask every bidder the same questions in the same order — differences in the answers explain differences in the price far better than the totals do.
- 1How many coats are included, and is primer separate?
- 2What surface prep is included — patching, sanding, caulking, pressure washing?
- 3What paint brand and grade are you quoting, and what's the finish warranty?
- 4Are you protecting floors, furniture, and landscaping, and handling cleanup?
- 5Is the crew employed by you or subcontracted, and are they insured?
Exterior House Painting cost questions
How much does exterior house painting cost in 2026?
Nationally, exterior house painting runs about $1,800–$4,500, with most homeowners paying around $3,150. Your city moves this based on local labor, climate and permits — El Paso, TX is among the lowest ($2,700) and San Jose, CA among the highest ($4,050).
What are the main types of exterior house painting and how do they compare?
Vinyl siding ($1,700–$4,000); Wood siding ($1,900–$4,500); Fiber-cement ($2,200–$5,100); Stucco ($2,200–$5,000); Brick ($2,500–$5,500). Pick a city below to localize any of these to your area.
What affects the cost of exterior house painting?
Home size and number of stories; Siding material and condition; Amount of prep and repair; Paint quality and warranty.
Exterior House Painting cost by home size?
1,000 sq ft home (1 story): $1,500–$3,500; 1,500 sq ft home: $1,800–$4,500; 2,000 sq ft home: $2,200–$5,500; 2,500 sq ft home (2 story): $3,000–$7,000; 3,000 sq ft home: $3,800–$8,500; 3,500+ sq ft home: $4,500–$10,000. These are national ranges before local labor, climate and permit adjustments.
What extra costs should I budget for beyond the quote?
Power washing / surface cleaning ($150–$400); Scraping & sanding old paint ($0.5–$2); Caulking & gap sealing ($100–$400); Trim, fascia & soffit painting ($1–$4). These sit outside most base quotes.
How long does exterior house painting last?
5–7 years is the typical service life. Exterior paint lasts about 5–7 years; wood siding and harsh sun/coastal exposure are on the short end, while fiber-cement and protected walls can stretch to 10+. Budget $0–$200 a year for maintenance.
Should I repair or replace?
Touch up isolated chips and caulk failures early to protect the siding; repaint the whole exterior once the film is failing in multiple areas or the color has clearly aged. Repair makes sense when a few chips, cracks, or a peeling patch in one spot. Replace when peeling, chalking, or fading shows across several walls.
When is the cheapest time for exterior house painting?
The best window is winter for interior; dry spring/fall for exterior, when demand drops and installers discount — typically 10–20% (interior, off-season) off peak pricing. Avoid mid-summer (exterior peak).