Cost to Paint Exterior of a House in New York City [2026 Data]

The cost of exterior painting in New York City is $3,751 on average, but costs can range from $1,953 to $5,552. The main factors affecting cost are home size, number of stories, and siding type, and New York’s higher cost of living means homeowners will pay more for exterior painting than in other areas of the country. We explore the factors that determine how much you’ll pay for exterior painting in New York City.

Exterior Painting Cost Factors 

The cost of exterior painting in New York, New York, depends on home size, number of stories, siding type, and more. Let’s take a look at how various factors affect exterior painting costs so you can budget correctly for this project. 

Home Size

It averages about $1.75 to $4.75 per square foot to paint the exterior of a house. That means that the bigger your home is, the more money it will cost to paint. Homes with more stories and hard-to-reach areas, like dormers, will also increase costs by around 50% per story. 

The average single-family home size in New York City is more than 2,100 square feet, although home size varies greatly depending on the borough and even neighborhood.

Number of Stories

Painting a two-story house can cost up to 50% more than painting a one-story house. This is mainly because the additional stories are harder to reach, so setting up scaffolding and ladders will tack on extra labor costs.

Here’s what those increases could look like:

• Add 30% above 8 feet.

• Add 60% above 13 feet. 

• Add 90% above 17 feet.

• Add 120% above 19 feet.

Siding Type

Vinyl siding is the most common type of siding on newer homes in New York City, and historic brick homes are also common throughout the city. Siding type will determine painting costs, how many coats of exterior paint you need, whether it’s better to spray or roll exterior paint, and the type of prep work needed.

Expect to pay more for premium paint, like ceramic exterior paint, that can last longer and offer more protection. The cost to paint a house with stucco or brick exterior is also higher than for other materials, since these types of siding require specific prep and painting techniques and products.

Prep Work 

Paint stripping costs $0.60 to $2.50 per square foot, and is necessary to remove old paint in poor condition, such as paint that is cracking, flaking, or bubbling. These issues can prevent the new coats of paint from going on smoothly. 

You’ll also need to prime the home before painting, and primer costs $15 to $95 per gallon, not including labor. Most pros will include primer in the project’s total cost.

Add-Ons

You may want to paint more than just your home’s siding. Maybe you need a fresh coat of paint on your trim, or your porch needs some TLC. Here are the costs of common exterior house painting add-ons:

Exterior Painter Costs

While it may be tempting to DIY exterior painting to save on labor costs, unless you just need to touch up exterior paint, it’s best to leave this job to the pros. Exterior painting requires working on a ladder or scaffolding, so homeowners run the risk of a serious fall if they’re not experienced with this kind of work. 

Improperly applied exterior paint is also prone to peeling, chipping, and water intrusion, so hiring an exterior house painter in New York, New York, can ensure the job is done right and will last for years to come. 

Labor

Hiring a professional painting team costs about $1.20 to $4.15 per square foot or about $30 to $120 per hour for each painter. That price includes both adding primer and painting the home’s exterior.

Does Exterior Painting Increase Home Value?

Painting the exterior of your New York City home can boost both its curb appeal and its value, offering a return on investment (ROI) of 50% or more. Exterior painting can protect your siding from weather-related damage, saving you repair and replacement costs in the future. Exterior house painting can also make your home easier to sell—buyers appreciate not having to commit the time and expense for this major project for a decade or more.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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