Painting your house is a great way to refresh its look and protect it from wear and tear. But if you’re a homeowner wondering how much to paint a house will cost, the answer can vary. On a national level in the U.S., painting an entire house (either interior or exterior) typically ranges from a few thousand dollars up to several thousand dollars, depending on the project.
Interior painting jobs average around $2,000 nationally, while exterior painting averages around $3,000 – but your actual cost will depend on factors like the size of your home, whether you’re painting inside or out, and where you live.
Below, we break down the costs for interior vs. exterior painting, give examples for 1,500 sq ft and 2,000 sq ft homes, and provide sample pricing for states like Florida, California, and Texas. We’ll also touch on paint maintenance – including how often should you paint your house to keep it looking its best.
Interior House Painting Cost
How much to paint a house interior? Interior painting costs are usually calculated based on the size of your home (in square feet of floor space or wall area) and the scope of work. Painters often charge about $1 to $3 per square foot of floor area for painting walls only. If you include ceilings, trim, and doors, the cost per square foot can increase to roughly $3 to $7. Labor makes up the bulk of the expense (often 70–85% of the total cost), with the rest going to paint and materials.
For an average home, how much to paint interior of house can range widely:
- 1,500 sq ft house interior: Approximately $4,500 – $6,000 for a complete paint job (walls, plus some ceilings and trim).
- 2,000 sq ft house interior: Approximately $6,000 – $8,000 on average for a full interior repaint.
(These estimates assume professional labor and mid-quality paint. Using higher-end paint or having lots of detailed trimwork will push costs toward the higher end. If you only paint the walls (no ceilings or trim), costs might be on the lower side.)
Factors affecting interior painting cost
House Size
The home’s size is the biggest factor – more square footage means more paint and labor. However, other details matter too: the number of rooms, wall height (tall or vaulted ceilings cost more to reach), and the condition of the walls (if a lot of prep or repairs are needed before painting, labor costs rise).
Color Changes
Color changes can also affect price – going from a dark to a light color may require extra coats of paint. Additionally, paint quality makes a difference: premium paints cost more per gallon but might cover better or last longer (which could save money in the long run).
Location of House
Lastly, location (region and city) can influence labor rates for interior painters, but generally interior painting prices don’t fluctuate as dramatically by region as exterior work – it’s mostly about the size and complexity of the job.
How Much to Paint a House Exterior?
Painting the outside of your home not only improves curb appeal, it also protects your siding from weather damage. How much does it cost to paint a house exterior? For a typical single-family home, exterior painting usually runs between $1.50 and $4 per square foot of the house’s footprint.
This means a small one-story home might be on the lower end, while a large or multi-story home with complex architecture falls on the higher end. Nationally, most homeowners spend somewhere in the $1,500 to $7,000 range to paint their home’s exterior, with an average around $3,000 for a mid-sized house.
Here are some example estimates by home size for how much to paint house exterior surfaces:
- 1,500 sq ft house exterior: Approximately $2,250 – $6,000 for a professional paint job. This assumes a one-story home with typical siding in decent condition.
- 2,000 sq ft house exterior: Approximately $3,000 – $8,000 on average. Higher if the house has two stories or extensive trim, lower if it’s single-story or has simpler architecture.
Just like interior jobs, how much does it cost to paint the exterior of a house will depend on multiple factors. The number of stories is crucial: a two-story house can cost 40–50% more than a one-story house of the same square footage because of the extra labor and equipment (tall ladders or scaffolding) required.
Home layout and access matter too – if your house has lots of hard-to-reach areas, peaks, or architectural details, painters will charge more to address those safely and thoroughly. The siding material plays a role: painting porous or rough surfaces like stucco or brick typically costs more (they soak up more paint and require additional prep) compared to painting wood or vinyl siding.
For example, painting old stucco or masonry can almost double the paint usage versus a smooth wood surface. Additionally, using high-quality exterior paint designed to withstand the elements (sun, rain, humidity, etc.) might cost a bit more per gallon, but it can enhance durability – which is often worth it for exterior projects.
Local climate can also influence exterior painting needs. Houses in harsh sun or wet climates may need special paint or extra coats, affecting cost. We’ll discuss regional price differences next, but it’s good to note that exterior painters in your area will choose paint formulations suited to your climate (e.g., UV-resistant paint in very sunny areas, mildew-resistant paint in humid regions).
Regional Cost Differences (Florida, California, Texas)
Prices for house painting can vary depending on where you live. Labor rates, cost of living, and climate factors make a difference. Here are some sample pricing insights for large states like Florida, California, and Texas:
How much to paint a house in Florida?
In Florida, the cost to paint a house is often on the higher side of national averages for exteriors. This is partly because the hot, humid climate and intense sun mean you’ll want high-quality paint that resists mildew and fading. For example, painting a 1,500 sq ft house exterior in Florida might cost around $4,000 to $6,500 (sometimes more if extensive prep is needed).
Most Florida homeowners report paying roughly $5,000–$6,000 to paint a mid-sized (1,500–2,000 sq ft) exterior with professional labor. Interior painting costs in Florida are more in line with national norms, roughly $3–$4 per sq ft of home size, but using mildew-resistant interior paint in damp areas (like bathrooms) might add a bit to the cost.
The key in Florida is to invest in good paint and possibly plan on repainting a bit more frequently due to the climate (more on repainting frequency below).
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House in California?
California is a big state, and painting costs can differ in Northern vs. Southern CA or urban vs. rural areas. In general, California painting prices per square foot are similar to national averages, though labor in large cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles) might be higher.
For instance, in California it typically costs about $2 to $4 per square foot to paint a house exterior. So a 2,000 sq ft home might range roughly $4,000 to $8,000 for the exterior. Many standard one-story homes in California might fall in the mid-range of those numbers.
Interiors in California also range around $3 to $6 per sq ft of floor space for a full repaint. One thing to note: California has stricter environmental regulations on paints (low-VOC paints are often required), which are usually comparable in price but ensure you’re using the right type if you DIY.
Overall, expect California painting projects – especially in high-cost-of-living areas – to trend toward the upper end of price ranges due to higher labor costs, but not wildly above the national range.
House Painting costs in Texas
Painting costs in Texas tend to be at or slightly below national average in many cases. Labor rates in much of Texas are a bit lower than on the coasts, which can reduce overall cost. For example, painting a 1,500 sq ft exterior in Texas might cost roughly $2,000 to $5,000, assuming typical siding and one story – a bit less on average than the same project in a pricier state.
For a larger 2,000 sq ft home exterior in Texas, you might see a range of about $3,000 to $7,000, depending on complexity. Interior painting in Texas often runs around $2 to $3 per square foot of floor area for walls only, or around $3 to $5 per sq ft for whole-house (including trim/ceilings).
Of course, Texas is huge and costs can differ between, say, Dallas and a smaller town, but generally homeowners in Texas benefit from slightly more competitive pricing. The dry climate in much of Texas means exterior paint can last a long time if done well, which is a plus for maintenance.
(Keep in mind these state-specific examples are general guidelines. Within each state, urban centers may have higher labor costs, and unique local conditions – coastal salt air, desert sun, mountain weather – can affect the price and type of paint used. Always get local quotes for the most accurate pricing.)
Paint Maintenance: How Often Should You Paint Your House?
Budgeting for house painting also means thinking long-term: how often should you paint your house to maintain protection and looks? The answer depends on whether it’s interior or exterior, and other factors like paint quality and climate.
Exterior Repainting
Most experts suggest repainting a house exterior every 5 to 10 years. The timeline varies based on your siding material and environment. For example:
- Wood siding may need repainting more frequently, around every 3–7 years, because it can warp or peel faster.
- Stucco, brick, or fiber-cement siding might last on the longer end (maybe 7–10 years or even more) since these materials hold paint well.
- If you live in a harsh climate – intense sun (which fades colors) or heavy rain/humidity (which can cause paint to deteriorate) – you might lean toward the shorter end of the range. In a mild climate, a good paint job can sometimes last over a decade.
- Using high-quality exterior paint and proper prep (cleaning, priming, caulking gaps) will help the paint job last as long as possible. You should also keep an eye out for signs of wear: if you notice paint chalking, peeling, or cracking, or if the color visibly fades, it’s probably time to repaint even if it hasn’t been a full 10 years.
Interior Repainting
Interiors don’t need to be painted as regularly as exteriors because they aren’t exposed to weather. There’s no hard rule, but a general guideline is every 5–10 years for rooms you use often. High-traffic areas (hallways, kids’ play areas, kitchens) might show scuffs and wear in as little as 3-5 years and could use a refresh more often.
Bedrooms and lower-traffic spaces can easily go longer – even 10+ years – if you still like the color and the walls aren’t damaged. Often, interior repainting is driven by desire for a new color or look, rather than paint failure.
One tip: using durable, washable paint (like an eggshell or satin finish) in busy areas can extend the life of your interior paint job since you can clean the walls without ruining the paint.
Remember: regular maintenance and timely touch-ups can save money. Rather than waiting until paint is in very bad shape, repainting at appropriate intervals keeps your home protected (preventing wood rot, etc.) and can reduce how much prep work is needed next time. A well-prepped surface makes for a longer-lasting paint job.
Additional Tips and Considerations
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Painting your house yourself can cut costs significantly since labor is the biggest expense. If you know how to paint a house properly and have the time, tackling a room or a small exterior project on your own could save you money. Just be cautious: exterior painting involves ladders and a lot of physical work – safety and quality can be concerns if you’re not experienced.
Many homeowners do DIY for interior rooms but hire pros for tricky or large exterior jobs. You might also consider a hybrid approach: do some prep work yourself (like clearing rooms, patching minor holes, or power-washing the exterior) and then have painters handle the fine painting work, to save on labor hours.
Get Multiple Quotes
If you decide to hire professionals, get a few quotes from reputable painting contractors. Prices can vary, and comparing quotes will give you a sense of the fair market cost in your area. Make sure each quote covers the same scope (number of coats, prep work, paint brand/quality, etc.)
so you can compare apples to apples. Sometimes a slightly higher quote comes with better-quality paint or more thorough prep, which is worth it.
Quality Paint Pays Off
No matter interior or exterior, using a good-quality paint can make a difference. It often has better pigment and binders, giving you richer color with fewer coats. It also tends to be more durable. This can stretch the time between repainting – saving money in the long run.
For exteriors especially, invest in paint that’s formulated for your climate (UV resistant, mold resistant, etc.). The upfront paint cost is a smaller portion of the project compared to labor, so it’s wise to choose the best you can afford.
Season and Timing
Exterior painting is usually done in spring or fall when weather is mild (for best results, you need dry days and moderate temperatures). In some regions, painters might offer off-season discounts if you schedule when they’re less busy. Interior painting can be done year-round; some homeowners schedule interior projects in winter when contractors are more available and may charge a bit less.
On a Final Note
In summary, painting a house can cost a few thousand dollars on average, with interior painting generally costing around $3k–$8k for typical mid-sized homes and exterior painting roughly $2k–$6k (for smaller homes) up to $8k or more (for larger or multi-story homes).
Always consider the specific factors of your project. By understanding the breakdown of how much to paint a house exterior or interior and planning for regular upkeep, you can budget effectively and keep your home looking its best for years to come.