Quick Answer

House Painting Cost in Austin (2026)

Average cost in Austin

US$5,613avg

US$1,650 — US$12,500

US$2 — US$6 per sq ft

+5.4% YoY
9 sources
Updated 3 days ago
Texas

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Skilled painting and application

US$1,320 — US$10,625

85%

Materials

Premium paint, primer, and sundries

US$165 — US$1,250

10%

Surface Preparation

Power washing, scraping, and sanding

US$80 — US$500

4%

Permits & Fees

Historic district certificates (if applicable)

US$0 — US$125

1%

🧾Sales Tax (6.25%) — Texas
Base cost + $351 tax$5,964

Sales Tax at 6.25%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically Includes

  • Interior or exterior paint (2 coats)
  • Primer
  • Surface preparation (sanding, patching)
  • Trim painting
  • Masking & protection
  • Cleanup

Typically Excludes

  • Wallpaper removal
  • Extensive repairs (drywall, siding)
  • Lead paint abatement
  • Specialty finishes (faux, texture)
  • Deck or fence staining

Based on painting a standard 1,500 sq ft home exterior or 3-4 rooms interior.

🧮Estimate Your Cost

Interactive

Estimated Cost

US$4,365

US$3,492 — US$5,238

Based on 9 sources and market data for Austin. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$5,325

Today

US$5,613

House Painting in Austin is 5.4% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$288 more on the average project.

Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.

🏢Top Painting Contractors in Austin

Verified providers
🔨

21st Century Painting, Roofing, & Siding of Austin

9811-A, Beck Cir, Austin, TX 78758, USA

5.0
★★★★★

484 reviews

🔨

Barton Springs Painting

2910 Inridge Dr, Austin, TX 78745, USA

5.0
★★★★★

257 reviews

🔨

Tex Painting

1212 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78701, USA

4.9
★★★★½

416 reviews

🔨

Five Star Painting of Austin

500 N Capital of Texas Hwy building 2, Austin, TX 78746, USA

4.9
★★★★½

448 reviews

🔨

VS Pro Painting

5555 N Lamar Blvd Suite H101, Austin, TX 78751, USA

4.9
★★★★½

307 reviews

Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.

💬What People Actually Paid

Community

Common Questions

Generally, no permit is required for residential painting in Austin. However, if your home is in one of the 6 designated historic districts like Hyde Park or Castle Hill, you must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness before changing exterior colors, which can add $50-$150 to administrative costs.

In the Austin market, painting a two-story home typically costs 50% more than a single-story home of the same square footage. This is due to the increased labor for ladder work, scaffolding requirements, and safety equipment, often adding $1,500 to $3,000 to the total estimate.

The ideal window is October through May. Austin's extreme summer heat (often exceeding 100°F) can cause paint to dry too quickly, leading to poor adhesion. Scheduling during the 'off-season' (winter) can sometimes yield a 10-15% discount from local contractors.

Exterior painting in Austin currently provides an average return on investment (ROI) of 50%, while interior painting offers a higher return of 55% to 75%. For a median-priced Austin home of $450,000, a fresh coat of neutral paint can increase the perceived value by $5,000 to $10,000.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 9+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 3 days ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.

About this data

Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.

Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.