What Drives Paint Buyer Satisfaction
The 2026 U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study found that prices increased across all measured paint segments, while exterior paint value perceptions improved year over year.
Need to Know
- Paint prices increased across interior paint, exterior paint and exterior stain in the 2026 JD Power U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study.
- Exterior paint had the largest price increase, rising an average of $3.22 per gallon.
- Satisfaction with value for price paid for exterior paint improved 14 points to 647.
- Customers are relying more on product features and customer reviews when selecting paint brands.
- Benjamin Moore, BEHR, Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore independent retailer ranked highest in their respective segments.
Paint buyers are navigating higher prices with a sharper focus on value, according to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study℠. Prices increased across all paint segments measured in the study, including interior paint, exterior paint and exterior stain, with exterior paint experiencing the largest increase, rising an average of $3.22 per gallon.
Despite these price pressures, satisfaction with value for price paid for exterior paint improved 14 points, on a 1,000-point scale, to 647. According to JD Power, customers are increasingly prioritizing product performance, features and trusted customer reviews when selecting a paint brand.
Michael Taylor, senior managing director of retail intelligence at JD Power, said customers are becoming “more deliberate and informed” in how they choose products. With prices rising across interior paint, exterior paint and stain, Taylor said customers are relying more on product features and customer reviews to guide their decisions and reinforce value.
The study examines key drivers of satisfaction among customers who purchased and applied interior paint, exterior paint and/or exterior stain. Satisfaction is measured based on seven drivers: application, durability, offerings, coverage, cleaning surfaces, trust and price. The study also examines the customer experience with paint retailers based on online experience, in-store experience, service and staff, merchandise and price.
Compared with the 2025 study, the 2026 segment average for interior paint declined to 713 from 718. Exterior paint increased to 720 from 709. Exterior stain declined to 699 from 705, and paint retailer satisfaction declined to 696 from 697.
Study Rankings
Interior Paint
Benjamin Moore ranks highest in the interior paint segment with a score of 742. BEHR ranks second with a score of 719, and Sherwin-Williams ranks third with a score of 718. The segment average is 713.
Exterior Paint
BEHR ranks highest in the exterior paint segment with a score of 739. Sherwin-Williams ranks second with a score of 722, and Benjamin Moore ranks third with a score of 720. The segment average is 720.
Exterior Stain
Sherwin-Williams ranks highest in the exterior stain segment with a score of 722. BEHR ranks second with a score of 721, and Benjamin Moore ranks third with a score of 719. The segment average is 699.
Paint Retailer
Benjamin Moore independent retailer ranks highest in the paint retailer segment with a score of 736. Sherwin-Williams Paint Store ranks second with a score of 732, and Ace Hardware ranks third with a score of 716. The segment average is 696.
About the Study
The 2026 U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 7,027 customers who purchased and applied interior paint, exterior paint and/or exterior stain in the past 12 months. The study was fielded from January 2025 through January 2026.
For more information about the methodology, rankings and profiled brands, visit the JD Power U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study resource page.
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