Interior Painting Cost by State (2026)
Calculate painting costs for walls, ceilings, and trim by room size and finish. Compare local costs across all 50 states and 800+ cities — updated for 2026.
$4
$2 – $7
How much does interior painting cost in 2026?
Interior painting costs about $4 per square foot of wall area on average in the US in 2026, typically ranging from $2 to $7 per square foot depending on prep, paint grade, and ceiling height. A single bedroom runs roughly $300–$800 painted, while a whole 2,000 sq ft home interior lands around $4,500–$10,000. Painting is about 75% labor, so contractor rates and the amount of prep work drive most of the price.
What affects interior painting cost?
Surface prep
Prep is often the hidden majority of a paint job. Patching nail holes, filling cracks, sanding, caulking gaps, and priming stained or bare areas can add 1–2 days and 20–40% to labor. Older homes with plaster, peeling paint, or water stains need the most work. Cutting corners on prep is the top reason cheap paint jobs fail early — proper prep is what separates a 2-year finish from a 10-year one.
Paint grade & coats
Paint runs $25–$40 per gallon for contractor grade and $50–$115 for premium lines like Sherwin-Williams Duration or Benjamin Moore Aura. A gallon covers 350–400 sq ft per coat, and two coats are standard for any color change. Going from a light wall to a deep red or navy may need primer plus two coats, adding 30–40% to materials and labor. Premium paint covers better and lasts longer, often paying for itself.
Ceiling height & trim
High and cathedral ceilings require ladders, scaffolding, or extension equipment, slowing work and adding 15–25% to labor. Trim, crown molding, doors, and built-ins are detail work billed separately, often $1–$3 per linear foot. A room with heavy trim, wainscoting, and tall ceilings can cost far more than a plain box of the same floor area because of the added cutting and brushwork involved.
Labor rates & scope
Because painting is roughly 75% labor, regional wage rates dominate the price — the same room can cost twice as much in a high-cost metro as in a rural market. Per-room minimums also matter: a single small room often costs nearly as much as two, so whole-house jobs are more efficient per square foot. Lead-safe protocols on pre-1978 homes add certified labor and cleanup costs.
Interior Painting Cost Breakdown (2026)
Estimated national average per square foot by project option. Use the calculator on any city page for an estimate tailored to your location.
Number of rooms
| 1 room | $5 /sq ft |
| 2–3 rooms | $4 /sq ft |
| 4–6 rooms | $4 /sq ft |
| Whole house (7+ rooms) | $4 /sq ft |
Paint quality
| Basic / Contractor grade | $3 /sq ft |
| Mid-range | $4 /sq ft |
| Premium (Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore) | $5 /sq ft |
Interior Painting Cost by State — Click Your State
Alabama
5 cities
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Alaska
1 cities
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Arizona
9 cities
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Arkansas
3 cities
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California
23 cities
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Colorado
6 cities
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Connecticut
5 cities
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Delaware
2 cities
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Florida
15 cities
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Georgia
6 cities
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Hawaii
1 cities
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Idaho
3 cities
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Illinois
7 cities
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Indiana
4 cities
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Iowa
3 cities
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Kansas
5 cities
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Kentucky
3 cities
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Louisiana
4 cities
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Maine
1 cities
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Maryland
4 cities
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Massachusetts
4 cities
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Michigan
6 cities
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Minnesota
3 cities
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Mississippi
2 cities
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Missouri
5 cities
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Montana
2 cities
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Nebraska
2 cities
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Nevada
4 cities
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New Hampshire
2 cities
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New Jersey
4 cities
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New Mexico
3 cities
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New York
8 cities
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North Carolina
8 cities
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North Dakota
2 cities
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Ohio
6 cities
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Oklahoma
4 cities
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Oregon
5 cities
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Pennsylvania
4 cities
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Rhode Island
1 cities
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South Carolina
4 cities
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South Dakota
2 cities
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Tennessee
5 cities
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Texas
15 cities
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Utah
4 cities
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Vermont
1 cities
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Virginia
5 cities
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Washington
6 cities
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West Virginia
2 cities
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Wisconsin
3 cities
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Wyoming
2 cities
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Interior Painting Cost — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does interior painting cost in 2026?
Interior painting averages $4 per square foot of wall area nationally, ranging from about $2 to $7. A single bedroom typically costs $300–$800 painted, and a whole 2,000 sq ft home interior runs $4,500–$10,000 with mid-range paint. Prep work, ceiling height, trim detail, and paint grade move the price within that range, and labor is the largest component.
Should I paint myself or hire a pro?
DIY makes sense for single rooms and accent walls, saving 50–65% of labor — materials for a bedroom run $100–$200 versus $300–$500 for a pro. Hire a professional for whole-house jobs, high ceilings, heavy trim, or extensive prep, where clean cut lines, consistent two-coat coverage, and speed are worth the cost. Pros also handle patching and priming properly, which amateurs tend to rush.
How many coats of paint do I need?
Two coats is the standard for any color change and gives the most durable, uniform finish. Going from white to a new color often needs primer plus two coats, especially for deep reds, yellows, and dark shades, which adds 30–40% to the work. Covering stains, smoke, or water marks requires a stain-blocking primer first. Be skeptical of any quote based on a single coat.
Does painting increase home value?
Fresh, neutral interior paint is one of the highest-ROI pre-sale improvements, often recouping 100% or more because it brightens listing photos and removes buyer objections. A $3,000–$6,000 whole-home repaint frequently returns more than its cost in offer value. Stick to off-whites, warm grays, and greige before listing — bold or personalized colors are a common reason homes sit on the market.
Do I need a permit to paint?
No — interior and exterior painting never require a building permit. The one regulatory consideration is lead paint: homes built before 1978 fall under the EPA's RRP rule, so disturbing old paint requires a certified lead-safe contractor and adds cleanup cost. Condo and co-op buildings may require board approval and set working-hour rules, but the painting itself is never permitted by the city.
Other Renovation Calculators
Bathroom Remodel
avg $11,500
Kitchen Remodel
avg $26,000
Flooring Installation
avg $9
Electrical Wiring
avg $4,500
Plumbing
avg $3,500
Roof Replacement
avg $10,000
Full Home Renovation
avg $50
Bedroom Remodel
avg $6,500
Living Room Remodel
avg $9,500
Dining Room Remodel
avg $6,000
Kids Room Remodel
avg $5,000
Attic Conversion
avg $28,000
Home Office Remodel
avg $7,500
Basement Finishing
avg $50
Garage Conversion
avg $18,000
Entryway Remodel
avg $3,500
Closet Installation
avg $3,000