Cost to Exterior House Painting in Boston, MA

$2,376–$9,900 in Boston

32% above the national average · 1.32x cost multiplier

In Boston, a exterior house painting runs $2,376 to $9,900 on average — about 32% above what homeowners pay nationwide. The Northeast market's labor costs account for most of the gap, with material pricing and local permitting fees adding to the spread. Use the cost table below to compare budget, mid-range, and premium options side by side.

Cost Breakdown in Boston

Line Item	Low	Mid	High
Cost per sq ft	$1	$3	$7
Materials	$660	$1,584	$3,300
Labor	$1,584	$4,224	$7,656
Permits	$0	$0	$0
Total	$2,244+32% vs. national avg	$5,940+32% vs. national avg	$11,220+32% vs. national avg

Budget

Single-story home under 1,500 sq ft, basic acrylic latex paint, one coat over existing color, minimal prep

Mid-Range

Two-story home 1,500-2,500 sq ft, quality acrylic latex, two coats, primer on bare spots, full prep and caulking

Premium

Large or multi-story home, premium paint, complete scraping and sanding, primer coat, two finish coats, trim and accent colors

Material Options

Material prices below are national averages; availability in Boston may shift costs slightly.

Material	Cost/Unit	Pros	Cons	Best For
Acrylic Latex (Standard)	$25-$40/gallon	Easy cleanup, low odor, flexible in temperature changes, good durability	Less durable than premium options, may need repainting in 5-7 years	Most homes, budget to mid-range projectsEasy cleanup, low odor, flexible in temperature changes, good durability
Acrylic Latex (Premium)	$50-$85/gallon	Superior adhesion, fade resistance, 10-15 year lifespan, better coverage	Significantly more expensive per gallon	Long-term homes where you want 10+ years between paint jobsSuperior adhesion, fade resistance, 10-15 year lifespan, better coverage
Elastomeric Paint	$40-$70/gallon	Bridges hairline cracks, waterproof, excellent for stucco and masonry	Thick application, not ideal for wood siding, harder to apply	Stucco, concrete block, and masonry exteriors with minor crackingBridges hairline cracks, waterproof, excellent for stucco and masonry
Oil-Based/Alkyd Paint	$30-$60/gallon	Extremely hard finish, excellent adhesion to bare wood, self-leveling	Strong fumes, slower drying, harder cleanup, restricted in some states	Bare wood trim, areas needing maximum adhesion, repainting over old oil paintExtremely hard finish, excellent adhesion to bare wood, self-leveling
Exterior Stain (Semi-Transparent)	$30-$55/gallon	Shows natural wood grain, penetrates into wood, easier maintenance recoats	Less protection than paint, shorter lifespan (3-5 years), limited colors	Cedar, redwood, and other natural wood siding where grain is desiredShows natural wood grain, penetrates into wood, easier maintenance recoats

Other Projects in Boston

Full Bathroom Remodel

Full Kitchen Remodel

Window Replacement

Back to national average for Exterior House Painting

Boston Estimate

Typical Range

$2,376–$9,900

vs. National Average

32% above national

Cost Multiplier

1.32x

Cost Per sq ft

$1–$7

Estimates apply Boston's 1.32x regional cost multiplier to national averages. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.

See national average costs →