How Much Does Interior Painting Cost?
Hiring painters for interior walls typically costs about $2 to $6 per square foot of floor area in 2026 (NerdWallet), or roughly $2,000–$6,000 per 1,000 sq ft of home. Painting it yourself costs mainly the paint — often a few hundred dollars per room or less.
Cost by home size (pro, walls)
| Home size | Typical cost ($2–$6/sq ft) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $2,000–$6,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $3,000–$9,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $4,000–$12,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $5,000–$15,000 |
What changes the price
- Scope: ceilings, trim and doors add to a walls-only quote.
- Ceiling height: rooms over about 10 ft need ladders or scaffolding.
- Prep: patching, sanding, wallpaper removal and priming stains or dark colors.
- Paint quality: premium paint costs more per gallon but can hide better.
Doing it yourself
For a 12×12 bedroom with 8 ft ceilings, the paint calculator shows 2 gallons for two coats on the walls. Add your local price per gallon to see the paint cost, plus rollers, brushes, tape and drop cloths.
Sources
Prices vary widely by region, season and contractor. Use these ranges to plan, then get at least three written quotes.