You walk into a paint store and spot one gallon at $30 and another closer to $90. The gap is real, and Benjamin Moore usually sits near the top of that ladder.
So is the higher price actually worth it? This guide breaks down Benjamin Moore paint prices for 2026, compares the cost per gallon across each product line, and helps you decide whether it fits your renovation budget.
Key Takeaways
- Entry to premium: Entry-level “ben” runs about $45 per gallon, while the premium “Aura” line tops out near $85 to $90 per gallon.
- Technology matters: Proprietary Gennex waterborne colorants and high-solid resins resist fading and hold up to scrubbing, which raises the manufacturing cost.
- Finish affects price: Shinier finishes like semi-gloss usually cost a few dollars more per gallon than flat or matte.
- Coverage saves money: Better hiding often means one or two coats instead of three, so you buy fewer cans even at a higher price per can.
How Much is Benjamin Moore Paint?
Benjamin Moore pricing shifts a lot depending on which product line you pick. Instead of one standard can, the brand sells a tiered lineup, so you can match the paint to the job and your budget.
Price by Product Line
The grade of the paint drives most of the cost. Here is what you can generally expect to pay per gallon:
- ben Interior: The user-friendly entry-level line. Expect roughly $45 per gallon, or about $40 to $55 across finishes.
- Regal Select: The brand’s most popular line, easy to clean and smooth to apply. Prices usually land between $60 and $75 per gallon.
- Aura: The top-tier line with the deepest color and best coverage. It commands the highest price, generally $75 to $90 per gallon.
Price by Finish
The sheen you choose nudges the final receipt too. Flat paints are usually the cheapest option in any line. As you move up the scale to eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, the price typically climbs a few dollars per can.
Interior vs. Exterior
Exterior paint uses tougher binders to survive UV rays, rain, and temperature swings, so an exterior line usually costs a bit more than its interior twin. A gallon of ben Interior might run about $48, while the exterior version sits a few dollars higher.
Why is Benjamin Moore Paint So Expensive?
When you set a $85 can of Aura next to a $25 budget brand, the sticker shock is real. Professional painters still reach for Benjamin Moore, though. Here is what you are paying for.
Gennex Color Technology
This is the brand’s quiet advantage. Most paint companies use universal colorants that rely on oil-based chemicals, which can weaken the film. Benjamin Moore uses proprietary waterborne colorants (Gennex) that actually reinforce the paint. The result holds its color longer, so you repaint less often.
Volume Solids and Resins
Cheap paint is often loaded with solvents that evaporate as it dries, leaving a thin layer of pigment behind. Benjamin Moore paints carry a higher percentage of volume solids and better resins.
When that paint dries, a thicker, more durable film stays on the wall. You get a richer look and better protection against scuffs and repeated scrubbing.
Superior Hiding Power
Time is money. Cheaper paints often need three or four coats to bury a dark color. Because Benjamin Moore is denser and richer in pigment, you can usually reach full coverage in one or two coats. You pay more per can but buy fewer cans overall.
Factors Affecting Benjamin Moore Paint Cost
The final price at the counter comes down to a few specifics about your project.
Type of Finish
The durability and shine you choose adjust the price slightly:
- Flat/Matte: Usually the most affordable. It soaks up light and hides drywall imperfections, which makes it great for ceilings and low-traffic areas.
- Eggshell: The most popular choice for living rooms. It costs a little more than flat but wipes clean, which is worth the extra few dollars.
- Satin/Pearl: A step up in durability and price. It resists moisture better, so it suits kitchens and bathrooms.
- Semi-Gloss: Typically the priciest finish. It is durable and reflective, made for trim, doors, and cabinets.
Specialized Formulas
Benjamin Moore also sells specialty paints that solve specific problems. Its “Eco Spec” line, for example, is a zero-VOC paint certified for low emissions, which helps in nurseries or for allergy sufferers. These formulas take more advanced manufacturing, so they carry a higher retail price.
Cost of Specific Benjamin Moore Products
To help you budget, here are estimated price points for the most common lines in 2026. Prices vary by location and local dealer, so treat these as a starting point.
Interior Paints
- ben Interior: ~$48 per gallon. Great for DIYers and quick refreshes.
- Regal Select Interior: ~$68 per gallon. The go-to for washability and smooth application.
- Aura Interior: ~$85 per gallon. The highest performance, with Color Lock technology.
- Advance: ~$65 per gallon. A waterborne alkyd made for cabinets and trim.
- Muresco Ceiling Paint: ~$48 per gallon. Formulated to cut glare on ceilings.
Exterior Paints
- Element Guard: ~$65 per gallon. Built for early rain resistance.
- Regal Select Exterior: ~$78 per gallon. High-build and mildew resistant.
- Aura Exterior: ~$90 per gallon. Strong fade resistance and durability.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room?
Once you know the coverage rate, the total project cost is easy to estimate.
One gallon of Benjamin Moore covers about 350 to 400 square feet on smooth, primed walls, and closer to 300 to 350 square feet on rough or textured surfaces. An average 12×12 bedroom has roughly 384 square feet of wall space once you subtract the doors and windows.
- The Math: Plan on just over one gallon for a single coat, or two gallons for two full coats.
- The Cost (Regal Select): Two gallons of Regal Select (about $68 each) run roughly $136.
- The Cost (Aura): Step up to Aura (about $85 each) and the paint runs closer to $170.
Don’t forget to budget for supplies like primers, rollers, and tape, which can add another $30 to $50 to the project.
How to Save Money on Benjamin Moore Paint
You don’t always have to pay full sticker price. Here are a few ways to get premium paint for less.
Check for “Mistints”
Every paint store keeps a “mistint” or “oops” shelf. These are cans that were mixed to the wrong color or returned by a customer. You can often grab high-end Aura or Regal Select gallons for as little as $10 or $20. If you are flexible on the exact shade, it is one of the biggest savings out there.
Buy 5-Gallon Buckets
If you are painting a large area or a whole exterior, buy in bulk. A 5-gallon bucket almost always costs less per gallon than five individual cans.
Skip the Primer (Sometimes)
Many Benjamin Moore lines, Regal Select and Aura in particular, are paint-and-primer combinations. If you are painting over a similar color and the walls are in good shape, you can often skip the separate primer coat. That saves you a gallon of primer and the time it takes to roll it on.
Benjamin Moore vs. The Competition
How does Benjamin Moore stack up against the other two giants, Sherwin-Williams and Behr?
Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin-Williams
These are the two heavyweights favored by pros.
- Pricing: Sherwin-Williams lists higher on its top lines (Emerald runs about $79 to $95), but it discounts often, so a PaintPerks sale can drop it near $50. Benjamin Moore lists a bit lower and rarely runs brand-wide sales.
- Availability: Sherwin-Williams sells through corporate-owned stores. Benjamin Moore sells through independent local retailers.
- Quality: Both are excellent, but many DIYers find Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select a touch easier to apply without streaks than comparable SW lines.
Benjamin Moore vs. Behr
Behr is the primary brand sold at The Home Depot.
- Pricing: Behr is noticeably cheaper. Its premium Marquee line lands around $44 to $52 per gallon at Home Depot.
- Performance: Behr Marquee is a solid paint, but Benjamin Moore generally lays down better coverage and leveling, so you may see fewer brush marks.
- The Verdict: If budget is the only concern, Behr works. If you want a finish that looks professionally done, spend the extra money on Benjamin Moore.
Is Benjamin Moore Paint Worth It?
After weighing the costs and features, the verdict depends on your goals.
- Pros: The durability means you won’t repaint for years. Colors stay richer and resist fading. The paint levels out smoothly, so a DIY job looks professional.
- Cons: It is expensive upfront. You cannot grab it at big-box stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot. And you generally cannot touch up old walls with a cheaper brand, because the sheen won’t match.
Bottom Line: If this is your “forever home” or a high-traffic space like a kitchen, Benjamin Moore earns its price. If you are painting a rental or a garage interior, a cheaper alternative will likely do the job.
