New York Interior Painting Cost: What Homeowners Should Expect in 2026

Interior painting can be a transformative and visible home improvement, whether you are updating your Manhattan apartment, upgrading a Brooklyn townhouse or refreshing a Queens condominium. New York homeowners will have to deal with a new set of pricing challenges in the year 2026. These include labor costs and paint choices. 

In this blog post, we will help you understand what to expect, how much it cost to paint interior of house, and some tips on how to save money. Let’s get started!

Cost of Painting a Three-Bedroom New York Apartment

The cost of professional interior painting for a typical 3-bedroom apartment (approximately 1200-1500 sq. ft.) is usually priced between $4,000 and $7,500. For your ease, you can also calculate this using by paint cost calculator. The cost includes the labor and all materials. Let’s take a closer look at it: 

• Workforce: $36.50-$65 an hour, depending on the experience of the contractor or the borough
• Paint: mid-range paints range from $30 to $80 per gallon; premium and eco-friendly brands cost $70-$150.
• Preparation work: From $500 to $1200, depending on whether there is wall damage, mould, or removal of wallpaper

Mini Case Study: We recently compared Manhattan’s two contractors to repaint a 3-bedroom apartment. Contractor A charged $6,000 for Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion, while Contractor B charged $4200 with Benjamin Moore Regal Select. Later, the less expensive option was required to do a little more work.

Best types of paint for NYC apartments in 2026

Choosing the correct paint will affect long-term performance and both appearances. NYC has chosen the following as its most popular paints this year:

• Benjamin Moore Regal Select: excellent coverage, low VOC and suitable for high-traffic walls.
• Sherwin-Williams Dura Home: durable and easy-to-clean, perfect for kids’ bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens
• Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion: Luxurious matte finish with a high-end price.
• Behr Premium Plus Ultra: affordable, mildew-resistant and widely available at hardware stores

Matte finishes can hide minor imperfections, while semi-gloss is best for bathrooms and kitchens where moisture issues are present.

Is it cheaper to do it yourself or pay a professional painter?

The paint projects in NYC that people can do independently are usually more costly and time-consuming than anticipated. The Cost of DIY Projects:

• Paint: It is priced at $250-500 for 3 bedroom apartment.
• The prices of tools:  Brushes, rollers (drop cloths), painter’s tape, and other tools cost between $50 and 150.
• Time: For a beginner, 40-60 hours.
• Mistakes and touch-ups: $200-$400.

A registered painter will not only save you time, but you will also get uniform coverage. Labor costs can be expensive, but they can be justified to prevent costly errors such as streaks or drips.

Hidden Costs in Interior Painting Contractors Often Miss

Even quotes from professionals can conceal surprises.

• Furniture moving and protection: If you don’t do it yourself, furniture moving and protection costs between $100 $300
• Repairs to walls: 50-150 dollars per hour.
• High ceilings or intricate trim: If you have high ceilings and intricate trim, it could cost up to 25% extra.
• Multiple colors per room: Each extra color adds $50-$150

Insider tip: Ask contractors to provide a line-item cost estimate. NYC painters often quote flat prices but do not include the prep work, increasing final costs.

Seasonal Differences in Painting Costs in NYC

It is crucial to time your project. Some contractors provide discounts in winter because demand is low. From January to March, you can expect rates to fall by between 5-10%; however, interior work could be delayed if there are heating and ventilation issues. Book early as summer and autumn are busy times.

Room-by-Room Cost Breakdown

Room Type	Average Cost	Paint Needed	Labor Hours
Bedroom	$600–$1,000	1–2 gallons	4–8 hours
Living Room	$800–$1,500	2–3 gallons	6–10 hours
Kitchen	$700–$1,200	2 gallons	5–8 hours
Bathroom	$400–$900	1–2 gallons	3–5 hours

Regional Note: Manhattan Contractors charge approximately 15-20% higher than Brooklyn and Queens because of labor costs and permits.

Eco-friendly and Alternative Paints

Environmentally conscious homeowners can now choose premium products.

• ECOS paints are water-based and contain zero VOC. They also have excellent color retention.
• Clare Paints are of premium quality with low odor and pre-matched colours
• Farrow & Ball Eco Line is high-end and certified for environmental protection

These paints may be more expensive initially, but they can reduce indoor air pollution and health risks. This is an excellent consideration for those with young children.

Most common DIY mistakes and how to avoid them

1. Skipping primer: If you skip primer, your color will be uneven and may peel.
2. Underestimating drying time: When you underestimate the time it takes to dry, bubbles and streaks can occur.
3. Using cheap brushes: Brushes with cheap bristles can leave marks on walls.
4. Ignoring ventilation: Paint fumes linger longer in tight NYC apartments.

Don’t skimp on quality rollers and brushes. These rollers and brushes are more cost-effective in the long term because they provide a smoother finish with less waste.

Contractor Selection Tips

• Compare hourly prices, prep work, materials and other services.
• Refer to recent NYC projects for references.
• Verify licensing and insurance.
• Talk about timelines and the guarantee of completion.

Final Cost Saving Tips

• Painting multiple rooms will reduce the labor cost.
• Plan your painting for off-peak times to get discounts.
• Use primer to prevent extra coats.
• You can do the prep yourself, but you should leave the final finishing up to professionals.

Final Thoughts

Painting your NYC apartment in 2026 does not have to be expensive. Choose paints carefully, consider hidden costs and choose between professional or DIY help. Expect to spend $4,000 – $7,500 on a three-bedroom apartment. The season, the type of space, and even paint finishes can affect your budget. Planning will help you achieve an interior design that is beautiful and durable while remaining within your budget.

Matte neutrals as well as eco-friendly paints are expected to be dominant trends for 2026. Premium brands, such as Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams Farrow & Ball, will continue to lead this market.

Sharing your experience with painting or saving money is a great way to get involved in local NYC forums. Save hundreds of dollars on your next painting project by sharing with local NYC forums.