How Much Does It Cost to Paint an Apartment in NYC?
A complete 2025 guide to NYC painting costs — by borough, apartment size, building type, and finish level. Plus an instant calculator to get your personalised estimate in under 2 minutes.
The short answer
Painting a typical NYC apartment costs $2,600–$5,800 for a standard interior finish. A 2-bedroom apartment in Manhattan runs $3,500–$6,500 with a premium finish. The biggest variables are borough, ceiling height, building type (co-op vs condo), and paint quality. Use our calculator below for a personalised estimate based on your exact situation.
NYC painting costs by apartment size (2025)
Prices below are for interior painting (walls, ceilings, trim) in Queens — the NYC base rate. Add 20–30% for Manhattan, 10–12% for Brooklyn.
| Property type | Size | Standard | Premium | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1BR apartment | 400–650 sq ft | $1,800–$2,800 | $2,800–$4,200 | $4,200–$6,500 |
| 2BR apartment | 700–1,100 sq ft | $2,600–$4,000 | $4,000–$6,000 | $6,000–$9,500 |
| 3BR apartment | 1,100–1,600 sq ft | $3,800–$5,800 | $5,800–$8,500 | $8,500–$13,000 |
| Townhouse / Brownstone | 1,800–3,500 sq ft | $5,500–$9,000 | $9,000–$14,000 | $14,000–$22,000 |
| Full house (5+ bedrooms) | 3,500+ sq ft | $9,000+ | $14,000+ | $22,000+ |
* Standard = Benjamin Moore Regal / Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint. Premium = Farrow & Ball / Fine Paints of Europe. Luxury = specialist finishes, Venetian plaster, skim coat. All prices include labour, materials, prep, and clean-up.
How much does the borough affect the price?
NYC painting costs vary significantly by borough due to differences in labour demand, building access logistics, permit requirements, and union labour rules.
Manhattan
+20–30%
Union labour, COI requirements, elevator fees, high-rise access, building management coordination
Brooklyn
+10–12%
Brownstone and pre-war logistics, parking restrictions, permit requirements
Queens
Base
Standard NYC rates — good access, moderate logistics overhead
The Bronx
−5%
Lower access overhead and permit costs — competitive rates
Staten Island
−10–12%
Minimal permit complexity — most affordable borough for painting work
What factors affect the cost of painting in NYC?
Square footage
The single biggest driver of cost. NYC apartments range from 400 sq ft studios to 4,000+ sq ft townhouses. Painters typically price by the square foot of wall area, not floor area.
Ceiling height
Standard NYC apartments have 8–9 ft ceilings. Pre-war buildings — common in Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights, and the Upper West Side — often have 10–12 ft ceilings, which can add 15–25% to the cost.
Building type (co-op vs condo vs rental)
Co-ops require board approval and an alteration agreement, which adds administrative overhead and can add $300–$500 to the project cost. Condos require COI filing. Rentals need landlord sign-off. Private houses have no board requirements.
Scope of work
Interior only (walls, ceilings, trim) is the most common. Exterior work in NYC requires scaffolding and often a DOT permit, which adds significant cost. Full interior + exterior is the highest-cost option.
Paint quality
Standard projects use Benjamin Moore Regal or Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint ($45–$65/gallon). Premium projects use Farrow & Ball or Fine Paints of Europe ($90–$120/gallon). Luxury finishes include Venetian plaster and specialist coatings.
Surface condition
Apartments that haven't been painted in 5+ years, or that have water damage, cracks, or existing wallpaper, require more preparation — skim coating, priming, and patching — which adds to the final cost.
Get your personalised NYC estimate
Our calculator accounts for your borough, building type, room count, ceiling height, and finish level — giving you a more accurate estimate than any generic price guide.
6 tips for getting the best price on NYC painting
Get at least two quotes — NYC painting prices vary widely between contractors.
Ask for a written breakdown of labour vs materials — it helps you compare quotes accurately.
Book 4–6 weeks in advance for co-ops — board approval takes time.
Schedule in spring or autumn — summer and winter are peak seasons with higher demand.
Ask if the quote includes primer — some contractors quote walls only and charge separately for primer.
Request a COI (Certificate of Insurance) before any work begins — reputable painters carry it automatically.
About The Fifth Painter
The Fifth Painter is a premium NYC painting service operating across all five boroughs. We specialise in residential apartments (co-ops, condos, rentals, and townhouses) and commercial properties. Every project includes a free on-site consultation, full COI and alteration agreement handling, premium paint brands, and a 10-year workmanship warranty.