Cost to Paint Exterior of a House in Columbus [2026 Data]

Normal Range: $1,279 - $3,741

The average cost to paint the exterior of a house in Columbus, Ohio, is $2,489, and most projects total between $1,279 and $3,741. The total cost will depend on home size, number of stories, and siding type. 

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Cost Insights
  • Painting the exterior of your Columbus home boosts its curb appeal and offers an impressive return on investment (ROI) of 50% or more. 

  • Columbus’s small average home size and lower cost of living help keep exterior painting costs down. 

  • Fresh exterior paint can make your home stand out in Columbus’s competitive housing market. 

Exterior home painting in Columbus, Ohio, costs $2,489 on average, with costs ranging between $1,279 and $3,741. The total project cost depends on home size, siding type, and how many stories your home has. Take a look at how these factors and more affect how much you’ll pay.

Exterior Painting Cost Factors 

The cost to paint the exterior of a house in Columbus, Ohio, is based on factors including home size, number of stories, siding type, and labor costs. Columbus’s relatively low cost of living and small average home size mean you’ll pay less for exterior painting than in other parts of the country. We break down the factors that determine how much you’ll pay to paint your home’s exterior. 

Home Size

It averages about $1.15 to $3.15 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 home size in Columbus is under 1,600 square feet—smaller than the national average—so Columbus houses cost less to paint compared to larger homes across the country.

Paintable Area (Sq. Ft.)Average Cost to Paint Exterior
1,000$1,175–$3,125
1,500$1,750–$4,675
2,000$2,350–$6,250
2,500$2,925–$7,800
3,000$3,500–$9,350

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.

Number of StoriesEstimated Paintable Area (Square Feet)Average Cost to Paint
Single Story1,000–1,500$1,175–$2,725
Two Stories1,500–2,500$2,350–$4,825
Three Stories2,500–3,000$3,500–$7,800+
Angi Tip

Painting your home often requires getting on a ladder, which can be dangerous. Have a friend hold you steady or entrust the job to a painting professional to ensure your safety.

Siding Type

The type of siding you have can affect your project cost. Vinyl siding is the most common type of siding in the Columbus area and is one of the lowest-cost types of siding to paint. Less common materials like metal, brick, and stucco can cost more to paint. Some types of siding may require additional coats of exterior paint for the best coverage, and you may need to use specialized paint for stucco exteriors or brick to ensure you don’t damage the material. 

Siding TypeAverage Painting Cost per Sq. Ft.ProsCons
Wood$0.75–$2.35Eco-friendlySusceptible to rot
Concrete$0.75–$2.75Fire-resistantProne to cracking
Vinyl$1–$2.35Budget-friendlyShorter lifespan
Metal$1.15–$1.95Low-maintenanceProne to impact damage
Stucco$1.15–$3.15Fire- and rot-resistantComplex installation
Brick$1.15–$3.50Extremely durableMay need added structural support
6 siding types compared visually, including brick, stucco, and metal
ucpage / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Mindful Media / E+/ Getty Images, onepony / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, adamkaz / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, KathyDewar / E+ / Getty Images, jhorrocks / E+ / Getty Images

Prep Work 

Paint stripping costs $0.40 to $1.55 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. In some cases, you may need to power wash your house before painting, which can cost $25 to $100 an hour if you hire a pro.

You’ll also need to prime the home before painting, and primer costs $11.70 to $60 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:

Add-OnAverage Cost
Trim$1.55 per linear foot
Garage$1,175–$2,250
Porch$935
Window sashes$115
Gutters$390
Soffit and fascia$1.95–$4.70 per linear foot
Exterior doors$115–$390 each
Deck$760

Exterior Painter Costs

Hiring a professional exterior painter is a good investment, even if you know how to paint your home’s exterior. Pro painters can paint your home quickly and safely, and have all the tools and equipment needed to get the job done right. Since exterior painting requires work done from a ladder or scaffolding, safety is a major concern—let the pros handle this job rather than risk a fall and serious injury.

Labor

Hiring an exterior painter in Columbus, Ohio, costs about $0.75 to $2.75 per square foot or about $20 to $78 per hour for each painter. That price includes both adding primer and painting the home’s exterior. Labor costs in Columbus are around 22% lower than the national average, with the area’s lower cost of living helping homeowners save on exterior painting labor costs.

Does Exterior Painting Increase Home Value?

Painting the exterior of your home can offer a return on investment (ROI) of 50% or more. Columbus is one of the country’s most active housing markets, with buyers drawn to the area’s relatively low median house price. Painting your home’s exterior can make it more competitive when it comes time to sell and allow you to set a higher asking price.

You’ll see a higher ROI for exterior versus interior paint, since it’s a major part of your home’s curb appeal and a significant expense that buyers would rather avoid. Investing in a fresh coat of exterior paint can really pay off when you’re looking to sell your home. 

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 survey 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. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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