House Painting Cost in Boston (2026)
Average cost in Boston
US$3,200 — US$14,500
US$3 — US$8 per sq ft
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedProfessional painting crew wages
82%
Premium paint and supplies
10%
Scraping, sanding, and RRP compliance
6%
Local Boston filing and disposal
2%
Sales Tax at 6.25%
📋What's Included
ScopeTypically Includes
- Interior or exterior paint (2 coats)
- Primer
- Surface preparation (sanding, patching)
- Trim painting
- Masking & protection
- Cleanup
Typically Excludes
- Wallpaper removal
- Extensive repairs (drywall, siding)
- Lead paint abatement
- Specialty finishes (faux, texture)
- Deck or fence staining
Based on painting a standard 1,500 sq ft home exterior or 3-4 rooms interior.
🧮Estimate Your Cost
InteractiveEstimated Cost
US$4,032 — US$6,048
Based on 9 sources and market data for Boston. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
US$6,874
Today
US$7,321
House Painting in Boston is ↑ 6.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$447 more on the average project.
Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.
🏢Top Painting Contractors in Boston
Verified providersPowell Painting And Home Services, LLC
Powell Painting And Home Services, 73 Hemlock St LLC, East Walpole, MA 02032, USA
216 reviews
Motti Painting Solutions Inc
68 Harrison Ave Ste 605, Boston, MA 02111, USA
155 reviews
CertaPro Painters of Boston
1660 Soldiers Fld Rd #200, Brighton, MA 02135, USA
132 reviews
Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.
💬What People Actually Paid
Community❓Common Questions
Since the vast majority of Boston homes were built before 1978, lead-safe protocols are standard. Expect a surcharge of 15% to 30% for specialized containment and disposal, often adding $1,500 to $3,000 to a whole-house project.
In 2026, professional painters in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton MSA charge between $85 and $100 per hour, which is approximately 22% to 30% above the national average.
Homes in historic districts or those overseen by the Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) often require specific premium paint brands and colors. Per-square-foot rates in these areas typically range from $5.50 to $8.50 due to intricate trim work and strict compliance requirements.
For a typical 2,000 sq ft two-story colonial, homeowners should budget between $4,800 and $11,500 for an exterior project, or $4,000 to $12,000 for a full interior repaint including walls, trim, and ceilings.
📊Our Methodology
How we collect dataAggregated from 8+ verified web sources and cost databases
Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides
Government construction and labor statistics
Community-reported project costs and reviews
Last data collection: 2 weeks ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.
About this data
Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.
Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.