Cost to Interior Painting in Chicago, IL

$4,720–$12,980 in Chicago

18% above the national average · 1.18x cost multiplier

In Chicago, a interior painting runs $4,720 to $12,980 on average — about 18% above what homeowners pay nationwide. The Midwest 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 Chicago

Line Item	Low	Mid	High
Cost per sq ft	$2	$5	$12
Materials	$708	$1,416	$2,950
Labor	$3,776	$6,844	$12,390
Permits	$0	$0	$0
Total	$4,720+18% vs. national avg	$8,850+18% vs. national avg	$16,520+18% vs. national avg

Budget

Walls only, 1 coat over existing paint, builder-grade paint, light prep for a 2,000 sq ft home

Mid-Range

Walls and ceilings, 2 coats, quality paint (Behr or PPG), light prep and patching for a 2,000 sq ft home

Premium

All surfaces including trim, doors, and ceilings, full prep and priming, premium paint (Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams), 2 coats, color consultation for a 2,000 sq ft home

Material Options

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

Material	Cost/Unit	Pros	Cons	Best For
Builder Grade Paint	$15-$25/gallon	Cheapest option, fine for rentals or quick refreshes	Poor coverage (needs more coats), fades faster, harder to clean	Rental properties, temporary refreshes, closets and utility roomsCheapest option, fine for rentals or quick refreshes
Mid-Range Paint (Behr, PPG)	$30-$50/gallon	Good coverage in 1-2 coats, washable, wide color selection, paint-and-primer combos available	Not as durable as premium, some colors need extra coats	Most whole-house painting projects, best value for homeownersGood coverage in 1-2 coats, washable, wide color selection, paint-and-primer combos available
Premium Paint (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams)	$50-$80+/gallon	Excellent coverage, extremely durable and washable, rich color depth, best color accuracy	Expensive, overkill for low-traffic areas	High-traffic areas, kitchens, bathrooms, homes where you want the finish to last 10+ yearsExcellent coverage, extremely durable and washable, rich color depth, best color accuracy
Zero-VOC / Low-VOC Paint	$35-$70/gallon	No harmful fumes, safe for occupied homes, eco-friendly	Some formulations sacrifice durability, slightly higher cost	Nurseries, bedrooms, homes with children or pets, painting while living in the homeNo harmful fumes, safe for occupied homes, eco-friendly
Cabinet/Trim Paint (Enamel)	$40-$80/gallon	Hard durable finish, self-leveling, washable, resists chipping	Longer dry time, more technique-sensitive, higher cost	Trim, baseboards, doors, cabinets - any high-touch surfaceHard durable finish, self-leveling, washable, resists chipping

Other Projects in Chicago

Full Kitchen Remodel

Full Bathroom Remodel

Basement Finishing

Back to national average for Interior Painting

Chicago Estimate

Typical Range

$4,720–$12,980

vs. National Average

18% above national

Cost Multiplier

1.18x

Cost Per sq ft

$2–$12

Estimates apply Chicago's 1.18x regional cost multiplier to national averages. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.

See national average costs →