Interior painting cost by home size
| Home size | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| 1,800 sq ft | $1,800 – $7,200 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $12,000 |
Cost by room
| Room | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Half bath | $50 – $150 |
| Bedroom (about 130 sq ft) | $300 – $800 |
| Kitchen (walls) | $200 – $750 |
| Dining room | $600 – $1,000 |
| Living room (about 340 sq ft) | $600 – $2,000 |
| Hallway or entry | $300 – $1,000 |
| Closet or pantry | $50 – $150 |
Ceilings, trim, doors and extras
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Ceilings | $1 – $2.50 per sq ft |
| Trim and baseboards | $1 – $3 per linear ft |
| Interior doors | $40 – $100 each |
| Stairwell | $15 – $30 per linear ft |
| Kitchen cabinets | $900 – $3,500 |
| Drywall repair | $50 – $80 per patch |
| Textured walls | add $0.50 – $1 per sq ft |
What drives the price
- Labor is most of the bill. Painters typically charge $30 to $60 per hour, and labor is usually around 85% of the total.
- Paint quality. A gallon runs about $15 to $35 for value paint, $35 to $50 mid-range and $50 to $60 or more for premium, and covers roughly 350 sq ft.
- Prep. Patching, sanding, moving furniture and taping take time. Dark-to-light color changes may need primer and an extra coat.
- Height. Tall walls, vaulted ceilings and stairwells need ladders or scaffolding and cost more.
This calculator covers interior painting. Exterior painting is priced differently, by siding type, height and prep.
For painting contractors
Quote by floor area for a fast ballpark, then list ceilings, trim, doors and repairs as separate lines. Check what the job pays per crew hour with the calculator above, and use the job profit margin calculator to make sure paint and supplies are covered.
Getting a rental ready? Painting is often paired with a move-out clean and carpet cleaning.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a room?
About $300 to $800 for an average bedroom, and $600 to $2,000 for a living room, including labor and paint. Ceilings, trim and doors add to that.
How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house?
Roughly $1 to $4 per sq ft of floor area, so about $1,800 to $7,200 for an 1,800 sq ft home and $2,000 to $8,000 for a 2,000 sq ft home.
How much do painters charge per hour?
Most interior painters charge about $30 to $60 per hour. Specialty work like textured finishes or two-story spaces can cost $75 or more per hour.
How much does it cost to paint ceilings?
About $1 to $2.50 per sq ft, depending on height and texture.
How much paint do I need?
One gallon covers roughly 350 sq ft of wall per coat. Most rooms need two coats, more for big color changes.