Customers are paying more for paint, but their satisfaction with the value of the product has actually gone up.

That’s according to a new 2026 Paint Satisfaction Study by JD Power, a U.S.-based data analytics and consumer research firm. The study was based on responses from more than 7,000 customers who purchased and applied paint or stain between January 2025 and January 2026.

During that time, the price of exterior paint rose an average of $3.22 per gallon, JD Power reports. Yet satisfaction with the product actually climbed 14 points, up to 647 on a 1,000 point scale.

The surprising finding shows that buyers are willing to absorb price increases if they think they are paying for quality and durability.

“Customers are becoming more informed in how they choose products,” said Michael Taylor, senior managing director of retail intelligence at JD Power. “With prices rising across all segments, they’re relying more on product features and reviews to guide decisions and reinforce value.”

The study also ranked top performers across major categories:

• Interior Paint: Benjamin Moore (742), BEHR (719) and Sherwin-Williams (718)
• Exterior Paint: BEHR (739), Sherwin-Williams (722), Benjamin Moore (720)
• Exterior Stain: Sherwin-Williams (722), BEHR (721), Benjamin Moore (719)
• Paint Retailers: Benjamin Moore Independent Retailer (736), Sherwin-Williams Paint Store (732), Ace Hardware (716)