Interior painting costs $150 to $2,000 per room in 2026
Interior painting costs $150 to $2,000 per room in 2026. HomeGuide lists an average of $750 a room, with most rooms at $300 to $1,000. Bob Vila lists $2 to $6 per square foot for a pro. Room size, ceiling height, prep work, and trim all change the price. A bathroom costs the least. A large living room costs the most.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists an average of $750 per room, a typical range of $300 to $1,000, and $1 to $3 per square foot. |
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila lists $2 to $6 per square foot with an average of $3.30, a bathroom at $150 to $350, and a living room at $900 to $2,000. |
| Forbes | Forbes lists a bathroom at $150 to $350, a living room at $900 to $2,000, and a DIY room at $200 to $300. |
Interior painting price by room
| Room or job | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | $150 to $400 | HomeGuide |
| Kitchen | $150 to $250 | HomeGuide |
| Bedroom | $350 to $850 | HomeGuide |
| 12 by 12 room | $400 to $900 | Bob Vila |
| Living room | $900 to $2,000 | Bob Vila |
| Price per square foot, pro | $2 to $6 | Bob Vila |
| Whole house, 2,000 square feet | $1,600 to $5,600 | HomeGuide |
| DIY, one standard room | $200 to $300 | Forbes |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Room size | A bathroom costs far less than a big living room. HomeGuide lists a bathroom at $150 to $400 and a living room at $600 to $2,000. |
| Walls only or more | Painting trim and ceilings adds work. HomeGuide lists $300 to $1,000 for walls only and $600 to $2,000 with trim and ceilings. |
| Price per square foot | Pros often price by surface area. Bob Vila lists $2 to $6 per square foot, and HomeGuide lists $1 to $3 per square foot. |
| Paint quality | Better paint costs more per gallon. Bob Vila lists paint at $20 to $100 per gallon, and Forbes lists latex paint at $15 to $50. |
| Prep and minimum fees | Patching holes, sanding, and priming add time. HomeGuide lists a minimum project fee of $250 to $500 or more, even for a small room. |
What the price includes
A pro price normally covers labor, paint, and basic taping and cleanup. Patching, priming, and moving heavy furniture can cost extra. Trim, ceilings, and closets may also be priced apart. Bob Vila lists primer at $10 to $20 and supplies at $10 to $100 or more, so ask exactly what is in the quote. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Painting a plain room is a good DIY job. Forbes lists a DIY room at $200 to $300, and HomeGuide lists supplies at $150 to $300. A pro costs more, but the work is faster and cleaner. Hire a pro for high ceilings, stairs, heavy repairs, or old paint that may hold lead. Bob Vila lists lead testing at $100 to $190. If you hire a pro, tell them what you expect before they start. Ask for a written quote that lists the coats and the prep work.
How to tell you need it
Look for faded color, scuffs, peeling paint, and stains on the walls. Marks that will not wipe off are a sign. Cracks and nail holes also need fixing first. A new color can freshen a room before you sell the home. If you see bubbling paint or dark spots, fix the water leak before you paint.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote say walls only, or walls, trim, and ceilings?
- How many coats are included?
- Who pays for primer and patching?
- Is the price near $2 to $6 per square foot?
- Compare the total with the range above: $150 to $2,000 per room for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Paint it yourself when you can. Forbes lists a DIY room at $200 to $300, and HomeGuide lists supplies at $150 to $300.
- Paint several rooms in one visit. A pro can spread the setup time and the minimum fee, which HomeGuide lists at $250 to $500 or more.
- Do the prep yourself. Move furniture, take down pictures, and fill small nail holes before the painter comes, so fewer hours are billed.
- Get three quotes and ask for the paint brand and price per gallon. Bob Vila lists paint at $20 to $100 per gallon, so the choice matters.
- Pick a simple color and finish. Big color changes may need extra coats, and extra coats mean more paint and more time.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Paint is made from oil based chemicals and shipped by truck, so higher fuel and material costs in 2026 can raise the price of both paint and labor.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, Bob Vila and Forbes. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to paint a room?
HomeGuide lists an average of $750, with most rooms at $300 to $1,000. A bathroom can be as low as $150.
How much does it cost to paint a whole house inside?
HomeGuide lists $1,600 to $5,600 for a 2,000 square foot home. For 1,500 square feet it lists $1,300 to $4,400.
How much do painters charge per square foot?
Bob Vila lists $2 to $6 per square foot with an average of $3.30. HomeGuide lists $1 to $3 per square foot.
Is painting a room myself cheaper?
Yes. Forbes lists a DIY room at $200 to $300. HomeGuide lists supplies at $150 to $300. You pay with your own time.
What do painters charge by the hour?
Bob Vila lists $20 to $50 an hour, and sometimes up to $75. Forbes lists $20 to $75 an hour.