IQHab › United States › Painting › Painting Cost (2026)
Painting Cost
Interior and exterior painting costs per square foot, and what changes the price.
Low$2
Typical$4
High$7
Per sq ft · USD
What changes the price
- Interior vs. exterior
- Paint quality and number of coats
- Labor and prep
- Ceiling height and trim
Regional notes
- Exterior painting costs more due to prep and weather conditions.
- High ceilings and lots of trim add labor.
Calculate your cost
Questions
How much paint do I need for a room?
About 1 gallon covers ~350 sq ft, so divide the paintable area by 350 and multiply by the number of coats.
Cost by state
Costs vary by regional labor market. See local estimates for your state:
Browse all U.S. statesHow to get an accurate quote
- Get several quotes and compare, not just price.
- Be specific about size, materials and any existing issues.
- Ask whether the quote includes labor, materials, permits and cleanup.
- Confirm the contractor is licensed and insured before you hire.
Cost per room
Interior painting cost varies by room size and whether you hire a pro. Here's the typical range:
| Room | Typical cost (pro) |
|---|---|
| Small room | $200 – $500 |
| Medium room | $400 – $800 |
| Whole house (1,500 sq ft) | $2,000 – $4,000 |
Labor is most of the cost
Paint is a small share of a professional job; prep and labor dominate. DIY saves a lot but takes time and can be messy.
Example
Refreshing a living room
Painting a 12x16 living room with two coats of quality paint runs about $300–$500 if you do it yourself, or $600–$900 with a professional including prep.
How to save on painting
- DIY if you're comfortable with prep and cleanup.
- Use quality paint — it covers better and needs fewer coats.
- Paint in the off-season for better labor rates.
- Batch rooms together to lower the per-room cost.