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How much does interior painting cost?

US national rangeUpdated Prices checked October 20261 source

Interior painting costs $965 to $3,089 in the US, with a typical job around $2,022. Basis: per project: typical range of customer-reported jobs (about $2 to $6 per sq ft of floor area). Figures from HomeAdvisor, checked October 2026.

US national range, per project: typical range of customer-reported jobs (about $2 to $6 per sq ft of floor area)

Low
$965
Typical
$2,022
High
$3,089

Interior painting cost: low, typical and high

Each row says exactly what the figures are and where they come from.

Interior painting cost: low, typical and high
EstimateLowTypicalHighBasisChecked
US national range$965$2,022$3,089Per project: typical range of customer-reported jobs (about $2 to $6 per sq ft of floor area) (HomeAdvisor)October 2026

What drives the cost of interior painting

  1. Square footage

    The area to paint is the biggest factor, at about $2 to $6 per sq ft.

  2. Walls only or walls, trim and ceilings

    Walls average about $2.75 per sq ft; walls, trim and ceilings about $4.70.

  3. Texture and finish

    Textured walls can raise painting fees by up to 50%.

  4. Accent walls and murals

    Accent walls add 20% to 30%; murals run $1,000 to $2,000.

  5. Labor

    Labor is 75% to 95% of the total.

Permits and what's included

Permit note

Interior painting does not normally need a permit.

What’s usually included

  • Paint and primer
  • Surface prep such as patching and taping
  • Labor and cleanup

Scopes vary. Get the scope in writing on every quote.

Interior painting cost: questions

How much does interior painting cost?

Interior painting costs $965 to $3,089 in the US, with a typical job around $2,022. Basis: per project: typical range of customer-reported jobs (about $2 to $6 per sq ft of floor area). Figures from HomeAdvisor, checked October 2026.

What affects the cost of interior painting?

Square footage: the area to paint is the biggest factor, at about $2 to $6 per sq ft. Walls only or walls, trim and ceilings: walls average about $2.75 per sq ft; walls, trim and ceilings about $4.70. Texture and finish: textured walls can raise painting fees by up to 50%. Accent walls and murals: accent walls add 20% to 30%; murals run $1,000 to $2,000.

Do I need a permit for interior painting?

Interior painting does not normally need a permit.

What is usually included in the price?

Paint and primer; Surface prep such as patching and taping; Labor and cleanup. Always get the scope in writing on the quote.

Where do these prices come from?

The low, typical and high figures come from HomeAdvisor (“Interior painting cost”, updated June 17, 2026). We checked them in October 2026. They are national estimates, not quotes.

Sources

Checked October 2026. Figures are estimates, not quotes.

  1. HomeAdvisor: Interior painting cost · page updated June 17, 2026 · checked October 2026Primary source. Used for: Low, typical and high; drivers.
These are published estimates, checked October 2026. They are not quotes. Typical range shown: $965 to $3,089. Editorial policy

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