How Much Does Exterior House Painting Cost in Santa Barbara, CA?

Santa Barbara pricing is 40% above the national average. Updated for 2026.

Based on local labor rates, varied climate conditions, and Santa Barbara's diversified economy.See our methodology

Low End
$3,500
Average
$6,300
High End
$11,200
per project
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Exterior House Painting Pricing in Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara is a high-cost market where exterior house painting runs about 40% above the national average. The city's diversified economy supports higher wages, which translates to elevated contractor rates. With a population of 90K, competition among providers exists but demand keeps prices firm.

Local climate plays a direct role in exterior house painting costs here. Varied climate depending on location; earthquake considerations in some areas.

Market-specific factors matter in Santa Barbara: higher cost of living in coastal areas; more affordable inland.

Santa Barbara has moderate permitting requirements. Depending on the scope of your exterior house painting project, you may need local permits. A licensed contractor will handle the permitting process as part of the job in most cases.

Santa Barbara vs National Average

Santa Barbara Average
$6,300
National Average
$4,500
Difference
+40%
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What Affects Exterior House Painting Cost in Santa Barbara?

House Size

1,500 sq ft: $2,500-$4,500. 2,500 sq ft: $4,000-$7,000. 3,500+ sq ft: $6,000-$10,000

Stories

Each additional story adds 20-40% due to ladder/scaffold needs

Surface Condition

Extensive scraping and priming can add $1,000-$3,000

Santa Barbara Market Conditions

higher cost of living in coastal areas; more affordable inland

Local Climate Impact

varied climate depending on location; earthquake considerations in some areas

๐Ÿ“ Exterior House Painting in Santa Barbara Cost Calculator

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Top-Rated Exterior House Painting Pros in Santa Barbara, CA

7 providers

First Choice Contractors

โญ PREMIUM
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…4.7(80 reviews)
๐Ÿ“ 696 Market St, Santa Barbara, CA๐Ÿ—๏ธ Since 1993
โœ“ Licensedโœ“ InsuredBBB: A+โšก Usually responds in 1 hours

Serving Santa Barbara and surrounding areas since 1993. Licensed, insured, and committed to quality workmanship at fair prices.

Summit Electrical

โญ PREMIUM
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…4(73 reviews)
๐Ÿ“ 961 Elm St, Santa Barbara, CA๐Ÿ—๏ธ Since 1992
โœ“ InsuredBBB: Aโšก Usually responds in 3 hours

Serving Santa Barbara and surrounding areas since 1992. Licensed, insured, and committed to quality workmanship at fair prices.

Elite Contractors

โญ PREMIUM
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…3.7(11 reviews)
๐Ÿ“ 232 Commerce Dr, Santa Barbara, CA๐Ÿ—๏ธ Since 2015
โœ“ Licensedโœ“ Insuredโšก Usually responds in 3 hours

Serving Santa Barbara and surrounding areas since 2015. Licensed, insured, and committed to quality workmanship at fair prices.

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Tips to Save on Exterior House Painting in Santa Barbara

  • 1.Schedule in late summer or early fall for best conditions
  • 2.Power wash yourself to reduce prep costs
  • 3.Use quality paint โ€” it lasts longer and saves money long-term
  • 4.Get quotes from at least 3 painters
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๐Ÿ“ˆ Exterior House Painting in Santa Barbara Cost Trends (2020โ€“2024)

Prices have increased +17.7% over the last 5 years

$5,352
2020
$5,577
2021
$5,939
2022
$6,105
2023
$6,300
2024
YearNational AvgYoY Change
2020$5,352โ€”
2021$5,577+4.2%
2022$5,939+6.5%
2023$6,105+2.8%
2024$6,300+3.2%

Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.

๐Ÿ’ฌ What Did You Pay?

Real costs reported by homeowners for Exterior House Painting in Santa Barbara

$6,515
Avg Reported
$4,561
Lowest Reported
$9,447
Highest Reported

Recent Reports

$6,147
Dallas, TX ยท Jan 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
$6,624
Chicago, IL ยท Feb 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
$5,982
Phoenix, AZ ยท Mar 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
$7,909
Denver, CO ยท Apr 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
$6,578
Atlanta, GA ยท May 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
$6,855
Seattle, WA ยท Jun 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does exterior paint last?

Quality exterior paint lasts 7-10 years on wood, 10-15 years on stucco, and 15+ years on brick.

What's the best time to paint a house exterior?

Late spring through early fall, when temperatures are consistently between 50-85ยฐF with low humidity.

Why does exterior house painting cost different in Santa Barbara than other cities?

Santa Barbara's costs reflect local labor rates driven by the diversified economy, varied climate conditions that affect materials and scheduling, and moderate permitting requirements. The balanced labor market also influences competitive pricing.

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