House Painting Cost in New York City (2026)
Average cost in New York City
US$2,500 — US$18,500
US$3 — US$8 per sq ft
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedSkilled painting and application
75%
Premium paint, primer, and supplies
15%
Patching, sanding, and masking
7%
Parking, elevator fees, and insurance
3%
Sales Tax at 4%
📋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$4,500 — US$6,750
Based on 12 sources and market data for New York City. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
US$7,462
Today
US$7,604
House Painting in New York City is ↑ 1.9% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$142 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 New York City
Verified providersJB Painters Manhattan
20 W 33rd St 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA
230 reviews
Paint Works New York
135 E 57th St 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
105 reviews
Sandoukas Painting Company NYC
350 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
41 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
NYC costs are approximately 18% to 55% higher than the national average due to extreme labor rates ($74-$105/hr), logistical challenges like double-parking and service elevator restrictions, and the extensive prep work required for century-old prewar drywall and plaster.
For a typical 2-bedroom apartment (roughly 900–1,200 sq ft), homeowners should budget between $3,200 and $7,000, depending on whether the project includes ceilings, trim, and doors.
Ceilings over 10 feet typically add $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot to the labor cost, while cathedral or vaulted ceilings exceeding 12 feet can increase the total room estimate by 20% to 50% due to the need for scaffolding.
In 2026, professional exterior painting in NYC ranges from $4.50 to $6.00 per square foot of paintable surface. A standard two-story home (approx. 1,800 sq ft) typically costs between $8,100 and $10,800.
📊Our Methodology
How we collect dataAggregated from 5+ 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.