Quick Answer: Interior painting costs $2–$6 per square foot of wall area. A single room (400 sq ft walls) costs $800–$2,400. A whole house (2,000 sq ft walls) runs $4,000–$12,000. Paint costs $25–$80 per gallon (1 gallon covers 350 sq ft). Labor runs $0.60–$1.60/sq ft based on painter rates of $19.82–$27.00/hr nationally. Add $200–$575 for prep, patching, and cleanup. Enter your ZIP for location-specific pricing.
Calculate how much it costs to paint your interior. Select the paint finish, wall area, number of coats, and ZIP code to get a location-specific estimate with a full breakdown.
Interior Painting Cost by Room
| Room | Wall Area | DIY Cost | Pro Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom (12×12) | 300 sq ft | $150–$300 | $600–$1,800 |
| Living Room (15×20) | 500 sq ft | $200–$450 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Kitchen | 250 sq ft | $125–$250 | $500–$1,500 |
| Bathroom | 150 sq ft | $75–$150 | $300–$900 |
| Whole House (3BR) | 2,000 sq ft | $800–$1,500 | $4,000–$12,000 |
How Interior Painting Cost Is Calculated
- Paint: Gallons needed = wall area × coats ÷ 350. Multiply by price per gallon ($25–$80 depending on finish and quality).
- Supplies: Wall area × $0.30–$0.75/sq ft for primer, painter's tape, drop cloths, caulk, and roller/brush covers.
- Labor: Wall area × coats × 0.02 hr/sq ft × hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Includes cutting in around trim, rolling, and between-coat dry time.
- Fixed costs: Furniture moving ($50–$100), patching and sanding ($75–$250), cleanup ($25–$75), and trim masking ($50–$150).
- Contractor markup: 20% for overhead, scheduling, and warranty.
Paint Finish Comparison
| Finish | Cost/Gallon | Best For | Washability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat / Matte | $25–$60 | Ceilings, low-traffic | Low |
| Eggshell | $30–$65 | Bedrooms, living rooms | Medium |
| Semi-Gloss | $35–$70 | Kitchens, bathrooms, trim | High |
| High-Gloss | $40–$80 | Doors, cabinets, accents | Very high |
Formula Summary
Interior Painting Cost Formula: Total cost includes paint (by gallons), supplies, burdened labor, and fixed costs for prep and cleanup, multiplied by contractor markup.
Total = (G × P + A × S + A × C × 0.02 × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20
where G = gallons (ceil(A × C / 350)), P = price/gallon, A = wall area (sq ft), S = supplies/sq ft, C = coats, R = hourly painter rate, 0.02 = labor hours per sq ft per coat, 1.5 = labor burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = markup.
| Paint Finish | $/Gallon (mid) | Coverage | Supplies $/sq ft (mid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | $40 | 350 sq ft/gal | $0.50 |
| Eggshell | $45 | 350 sq ft/gal | $0.50 |
| Semi-Gloss | $50 | 350 sq ft/gal | $0.50 |
| High-Gloss | $55 | 350 sq ft/gal | $0.50 |
Constants: Coverage 350 sq ft/gallon. Labor 0.02 hr/sq ft/coat. Labor burden 1.5×. Contractor markup 20%. Fixed costs include furniture protection, patching, sanding, cleanup, and trim masking ($200–$575). Trade: painters (SOC 47-2141). Rates from BLS OEWS May 2024, 393 metros.
Painters Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)
| Metro | 25th %ile | Mean | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $22.99 | $30.08 | $34.60 |
| Los Angeles | $23.12 | $30.04 | $35.66 |
| Chicago | $23.12 | $34.34 | $47.25 |
| Dallas | $18.14 | $21.14 | $22.44 |
| Houston | $19.09 | $21.84 | $23.28 |
| Washington | $22.44 | $26.37 | $28.59 |
| Philadelphia | $22.30 | $27.12 | $29.85 |
| Miami | $18.67 | $22.44 | $23.31 |
| Atlanta | $20.31 | $22.77 | $24.30 |
| Phoenix | $22.00 | $25.49 | $28.13 |
Planning a DIY Paint Job?
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Calculate exact gallons of paint needed for your rooms and walls.
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Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.
Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.