How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House Exterior?

Angi puts the average cost to paint a house exterior at $3,177, or about $1.50 to $4 per square foot of paintable area. Brick, multiple stories and heavy prep push the price up.

Exterior painting cost by paintable area

Paintable areaTypical cost ($1.50–$4/sq ft)
1,000 sq ft$1,500–$4,000
1,500 sq ft$2,250–$6,000
2,000 sq ft$3,000–$8,000
2,500 sq ft$3,750–$10,000
3,000 sq ft$4,500–$12,000

Paintable area is the siding, not the home's living space. Find yours with the exterior paint calculator.

What drives the price

  • Height: a second or third story means ladders, staging and more time.
  • Siding: rough wood, stucco and brick absorb more paint than vinyl or fiber cement.
  • Prep: scraping, sanding, caulking and repairs are where most of the labor goes.
  • Trim and doors: often priced separately.

Paint alone for a DIY job

A one-story 40×30 ft house with two gables has about 1,211 sq ft of siding — about 9 gallons for two coats. Add your local price per gallon in the calculator to see the material cost.

Sources

Prices vary widely by region, season and contractor. Use these ranges to plan, then get at least three written quotes.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026. Results are estimates — confirm with your supplier.

Calculators for this

Exterior Paint CalculatorGallons and 5-gallon buckets to paint a house exterior, gables included.Paint CalculatorGallons and quarts for walls and ceilings, minus doors and windows.Deck Stain CalculatorGallons of deck stain or sealer for the floor and railings.

Keep reading

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck?Commonly $30–$60 per sq ft built — by size and material.How Much Does a Fence Cost per Foot?Wood privacy fencing runs about $24–$45 per linear foot installed.How Much Does Interior Painting Cost?Roughly $2–$6 per sq ft of floor area for pro painting.How Much Does a Gallon of Paint Cover?350–400 sq ft per coat on smooth walls — and when to expect less.