House Cleaning Prices in 2026: What Cleaning Services Actually Cost

Whether you’re a homeowner trying to figure out what to budget, or a cleaning business owner making sure your rates are competitive, the same question comes up: how much does house cleaning actually cost?

The short answer: the national average for a standard house cleaning in 2026 is $120–$280 per visit, depending on home size, location, and service type. Deep cleaning runs $200–$500+. Move-out cleaning is typically $120–$420.

Note: All prices in this guide are U.S. market averages. Rates in other countries will differ.

But those ranges are wide, and the details matter. A 1,000 sq ft apartment in Phoenix costs very differently from a 3,500 sq ft home in San Francisco.

This guide breaks down real cleaning prices by every factor that matters: square footage, number of bedrooms, service type, pricing model, city, frequency, and add-on services. Every table reflects 2026 market data.

Want a personalized estimate for your home? Try our free house cleaning cost calculator, plug in your details, and get an instant quote range.

Average House Cleaning Costs in 2026: The Quick Numbers

Before we break everything down, here are the headline figures:

Pricing Model	Typical Rate
Hourly	$35–$75/hr per cleaner
Per Square Foot	$0.10–$0.30/sq ft
Per Room	$25–$100/room
Flat Rate	$120–$500+ per visit

These numbers come from aggregated data across Taskrabbit (February 2026 platform data), HomeAdvisor, Thumbtack, Angi, and cleaning industry surveys. Your local market may be higher or lower, which is why we break it down by city below.

House Cleaning Cost by Home Size (Square Footage)

Square footage is the single biggest factor in cleaning cost. Here’s what to expect in 2026:

Home Size	Standard Cleaning	Deep Cleaning	Move-Out Cleaning
500–800 sq ft (studio/1BR)	$80–$120	$150–$200	$120–$200
800–1,000 sq ft	$100–$150	$175–$250	$150–$250
1,000–1,500 sq ft	$120–$200	$200–$350	$200–$350
1,500–2,000 sq ft	$150–$280	$250–$450	$250–$420
2,000–2,500 sq ft	$200–$350	$300–$500	$300–$500
2,500–3,000 sq ft	$250–$400	$350–$600	$350–$550
3,000–4,000 sq ft	$300–$500	$450–$750	$400–$650
4,000–5,000 sq ft	$400–$650	$550–$900	$500–$800
5,000+ sq ft	$500–$800+	$700–$1,200+	$600–$1,000+

How to read this chart: The low end of each range assumes a well-maintained home in an average-cost market. The high end reflects higher-cost cities, homes with above-average cleaning needs, or businesses that include premium products and services.

Per-square-foot rates by cleaning type:

Cleaning Type	Low	Average	High
Standard/Basic	$0.05/sq ft	$0.10–$0.15/sq ft	$0.20/sq ft
Deep Cleaning	$0.12/sq ft	$0.15–$0.20/sq ft	$0.25/sq ft
Move-Out Cleaning	$0.15/sq ft	$0.20–$0.25/sq ft	$0.35/sq ft
Post-Construction	$0.20/sq ft	$0.25/sq ft	$0.35+/sq ft
Recurring (weekly/biweekly)	$0.05/sq ft	$0.08–$0.12/sq ft	$0.16/sq ft

For cleaning business owners: If you’re setting your own rates, square footage pricing is the most scalable model, it’s objective, easy to quote, and scales linearly. See our detailed guide on how to set cleaning service rates for formulas and strategies.

House Cleaning Cost by Number of Bedrooms

Some cleaning companies quote by bedroom and bathroom count instead of square footage. Here’s what those quotes typically look like:

Bedrooms	Standard Cleaning	Deep Cleaning
1 BR	$75–$130	$130–$200
2 BR	$100–$200	$175–$300
3 BR	$130–$300	$250–$450
4 BR	$150–$350	$300–$550
5+ BR	$200–$420+	$400–$700+

Rule of thumb: Add $25–$35 per additional bedroom and $35–$50 per additional bathroom. Bathrooms cost more than bedrooms to clean because of tile, grout, fixtures, mirrors, and the higher cleaning intensity required.

Example: A 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home = $130 base + ($35 × 2 extra bedrooms) + ($50 × 2 bathrooms) = $130 + $70 + $100 = ~$300 for a deep clean. That tracks with the table above.

House Cleaning Rates by Service Type

Not all cleanings are created equal. Here’s what each type includes and what it costs across different pricing models.

Standard Cleaning

The baseline service for homes that are already maintained. Covers dusting, vacuuming, mopping, bathroom sanitizing, kitchen surface wiping, and trash removal. This is what most recurring (weekly/biweekly) clients receive.

Pricing Model	Rate
Hourly	$35–$50/hr
Flat Rate	$120–$280
Per Room	$25–$60
Per Square Foot	$0.10–$0.20

Time estimate: 1–2 hours for a small apartment, 2–4 hours for a 2,000+ sq ft home.

Deep Cleaning

Everything in standard cleaning plus: inside appliances (oven, refrigerator), baseboards, light fixtures, ceiling fans, behind and under furniture, window sills and tracks, detailed grout scrubbing, cabinet interiors (exterior wipe in standard), and intensive bathroom descaling.

Pricing Model	Rate
Hourly	$45–$75/hr
Flat Rate	$200–$500
Per Room	$35–$100
Per Square Foot	$0.12–$0.25

Time estimate: 3–6 hours for a standard home. Deep cleaning typically costs 1.5–2.5× standard cleaning.

Pro tip for cleaners: If a new client’s home hasn’t been professionally cleaned in 6+ months, quote the first visit as a deep clean even if they request standard. It sets the right expectations and covers the extra time (how to charge for cleaning services).

Move-Out Cleaning

The most requested specialty clean. Designed to return a rental or home to move-in condition — critical for security deposit recovery or preparing a home for sale.

Pricing Model	Rate
Hourly	$40–$70/hr
Flat Rate	$120–$420
Per Room	$40–$100
Per Square Foot	$0.15–$0.30

What’s typically included in a move-out clean:

• All rooms: thoroughly dust, vacuum, and mop (including closets)
• Kitchen: inside oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, all cabinet exteriors, counters, sink, backsplash
• Bathrooms: deep scrub shower/tub, toilet inside and out, vanity, mirrors, tile and grout, hardware
• All surfaces: baseboards, light switches, outlet covers, window sills, door frames
• Windows: interior glass cleaning
• Walls: spot-clean scuff marks, handprints, and stains
• Closets: wipe shelves and rods, vacuum floors

What’s typically NOT included (separate charges):

• Carpet deep cleaning ($75–$200 additional)
• Wall repainting or patching
• Exterior windows ($100–$200)
• Garage cleaning ($50–$100)
• Yard or outdoor areas

Move-out cleaning by property size:

Property	Cost Range
Studio/1 BR apartment	$75–$150
2 BR apartment	$110–$200
3 BR apartment	$135–$250+
Small house (1,000 sq ft)	$150–$300
Medium house (2,000 sq ft)	$250–$420
Large house (3,000+ sq ft)	$350–$600+

For cleaners: Move-out cleans are one of the highest-margin services you can offer. They’re one-time (no recurring discount), the scope is well-defined, and demand peaks at the end of every month (lease turnover) plus May through September (peak moving season). Build this into your service menu if you haven’t already (how to start a cleaning business).

Move-In Cleaning

Similar scope to move-out cleaning, but performed before the new occupant arrives. Costs are comparable:

Pricing Model	Rate
Hourly	$40–$65/hr
Flat Rate	$150–$400
Per Square Foot	$0.12–$0.25

Post-Construction Cleaning

The heaviest cleaning job. Removes construction dust (which gets into everything), debris, adhesive residue, and paint splatter, and makes the space livable. Often done in two passes: rough clean and final clean.

Pricing Model	Rate
Hourly	$50–$80/hr
Flat Rate	$400–$800+
Per Square Foot	$0.25–$0.35+

Time estimate: 6–12+ hours, depending on project scope. Large renovations or new builds require a team.

House Cleaning Costs by City

Location drives pricing more than almost any other factor. Here’s how major U.S. metros compare in 2026:

For cleaning business owners: If you’re in a high-cost market, don’t under-charge to compete with informal cleaners. Your insurance, supplies, travel costs, and overhead are higher, too. Price reflects value, not just competition. Our service price calculator can help you build rates that cover your actual costs and hit your target margins.

Hourly Rates by Experience Level

Rates vary significantly based on who’s doing the cleaning:

Who’s Cleaning	Hourly Rate
Beginner solo cleaner (< 1 year)	$20–$30/hr
Experienced independent (1–3 years)	$30–$50/hr
Professional cleaning company	$50–$75/hr
Specialty/premium service	$75–$90+/hr

Business Type	Hourly Rate
Independent cleaner (solo)	$25–$45/hr
Small cleaning company (2–5 employees)	$35–$60/hr
Franchise or large company	$50–$75/hr
Specialty (eco-friendly, allergen, luxury)	$65–$90+/hr

Why the gap? Professional cleaning companies carry general liability insurance ($400–$800/year), workers’ compensation insurance, bonding, commercial supplies, marketing costs, software for scheduling and invoicing, and other overhead that solo cleaners often don’t. 

Their rates reflect these costs, and the reliability and accountability that come with a professional operation.

Frequency Discounts: How Recurring Schedules Affect Price

Most cleaning services offer discounts for regular schedules. The logic is straightforward: a home cleaned biweekly requires less work per visit than one that hasn’t been touched in a month.

For homeowners: Biweekly is the most popular frequency, as it keeps the home consistently clean without the cost of weekly service. The 10–15% discount per visit makes it a better value than monthly cleanings that require more intensive work each time.

For cleaning businesses: Recurring clients are the foundation of a profitable cleaning business. A biweekly client paying $150/visit generates $3,900/year in predictable revenue. 

Ten recurring clients = $39,000. That’s why offering a meaningful discount for recurring schedules makes business sense, the predictable income and reduced scheduling overhead (AI job scheduling) more than offset the per-visit discount.

Route optimization also plays a role: clustering recurring clients by geographic area reduces drive time between jobs, making each visit more profitable (AI route optimization).

Add-On Services Price List

Most cleaning companies offer additional services beyond the standard and deep clean package. Here’s what they typically cost:

Add-On Service	Price Range
Inside oven cleaning	$25–$50
Inside refrigerator	$25–$50
Inside windows (per window)	$5–$10
Exterior windows (whole house)	$100–$200
Laundry (wash, dry, fold per load)	$15–$30
Change bed linens (per bed)	$4–$10
Carpet deep cleaning	$50–$150
Upholstery cleaning	$80–$250
Garage cleaning	$50–$100
Detailed baseboard cleaning	$30–$75
Organizing/decluttering (per hour)	$30–$60
Blinds and shutters (per window)	$5–$15
Patio/deck cleaning	$50–$100
Wall washing (per sq ft of wall)	$0.50–$1.00
Cabinet interior cleaning	$25–$75

For homeowners: Add-ons are where you can customize your cleaning to your actual needs. If you only need inside oven cleaning once a quarter and window cleaning twice a year, build those into specific visits rather than paying for them every time.

For cleaning businesses: Add-on services are one of the fastest ways to increase your average ticket. A standard clean at $180 becomes a $255 visit when the client adds oven cleaning ($40), refrigerator cleaning ($35), and inside windows ($5 × 6 windows = $30). Quoting add-ons separately — rather than bundling everything into one price — makes the base service competitive while giving clients the option to spend more.

Use Good/Better/Best tiered packages to present options:

Build these tiers into your estimates using professional estimate templates so every quote looks consistent and polished.

What Affects Your House Cleaning Quote

If you’ve gotten cleaning quotes that varied by $100+ for the same home, here’s why. These are the factors that move the needle:

Home Condition and Clutter Level

Condition	Impact on Price
Well-maintained (cleaned regularly)	Base rate
Moderate mess (light clutter, some neglect)	+20–30%
Heavy condition (hasn’t been cleaned in months)	+50–100%
Extreme (hoarding, significant neglect)	Custom quote required (3–5× base)

The first visit for a new client is almost always the most expensive. Smart cleaners quote the initial clean separately (often at deep-clean pricing) and then drop to standard pricing for recurring visits once the home is brought to a maintained baseline.

Pets

Pet surcharge: $10–$25 extra per visit. Pet hair on furniture, floors, and upholstery adds significant time. Multiple large dogs = higher surcharge. Some cleaners also charge for pet stain or odor treatment.

Multi-Story Homes

Additional floors add $15–$30 per story beyond the first. Carrying equipment between floors, additional stairway cleaning, and the extra time navigating multiple levels all factor in.

Supplies

Scenario	Impact
Cleaner provides all supplies	Included in rate (standard)
Client provides supplies	Save $5–$10/visit
Eco-friendly/specialty products requested	+$10–$20/visit

Special Requests

Request	Typical Surcharge
Same-day or emergency booking	+25–50%
Green/eco-friendly products	+$10–$20
Allergen-focused deep cleaning	Premium rate (varies)
Specific time window requested	May limit route efficiency

How to Get a Cleaning Estimate: What to Expect

For Homeowners

Most cleaning services estimate in one of three ways:

1. Online calculator – Input your home size, type of cleaning, and extras. You get an instant range. Try our free cleaning cost calculator for a quick estimate.
   
2. Phone estimate – The cleaner asks about square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, pets, condition, and service type. Good for straightforward homes. Expect 5–10 minutes.
   
3. In-home walkthrough – The cleaner visits to see the space before quoting. Most accurate, especially for first-time or deep cleans. Common for homes 2,500+ sq ft or unusual conditions.
   

What to ask before booking:

• What’s included in the standard clean vs. what costs extra?
• Are you insured and bonded?
• Do you bring your own supplies and equipment?
• What’s your cancellation policy?
• Is the quote for one cleaner or a team?

For Cleaning Business Owners

How you present the estimate matters as much as the number on it. Here’s a process that converts more quotes into bookings:

1. Ask the right questions upfront: Square footage (or bedroom/bathroom count), how long since last professional clean, pets, any focus areas or special requests, and preferred frequency.
   
2. Present tiered options (not a single number): Give the client Standard, Enhanced, and Premium options. People who see three prices almost always pick the middle one, which should be your target price point.
   
3. Show the value, not just the cost: Instead of “$280 for a deep clean,” present “$280 for a 4-hour deep clean that includes inside appliances, baseboards, and all bathrooms scrubbed to move-in condition. Here’s exactly what’s included…”
   
4. Use professional estimates: Send estimates that look professional, with your logo, itemized services, and clear pricing. FieldCamp’s estimate templates let you generate these in minutes from your phone.
   
5. Follow up within 24 hours: If the client doesn’t book on the spot, follow up the next day. A quick text or email keeps you top of mind.
   

Cleaning Business Profit Margins: Are Your Rates Right?

If you’re running a cleaning business, revenue per visit means nothing if your margins are thin. Here’s what healthy looks like:

The Cost Breakdown of a $200 Cleaning Job

If your profit after all costs is below 10%, your rates are too low, your overhead is too high, or both. The most common culprits:

1. Underpricing to “win” clients — competing on price alone is a race to the bottom. Clients who choose you only for price will leave for someone cheaper.
   
2. Not accounting for travel time — 30 minutes between jobs at $0 revenue adds up fast. Route optimization solves this by clustering jobs geographically.
   
3. No minimum service charge — driving 20 minutes to clean a small bathroom for $40 loses money. Set a minimum of $75–$100 per visit.
   
4. Not raising prices annually — costs go up 3–5% per year (insurance, supplies, gas). Your rates need to keep pace. Notify existing clients 30 days in advance with a clear explanation.
   
5. Manual scheduling and admin eating billable hours — every hour you spend on phone calls, scheduling, invoicing, and follow-ups is an hour you’re not cleaning or managing your team. Automation changes this equation dramatically.
   

For a deeper dive into pricing strategy, formula breakdowns, and business-stage-specific advice, read our complete guide on how to charge for cleaning services.

Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Cleaning

This is one of the fastest-growing segments in residential cleaning — and the pricing model is different from traditional house cleaning.

Why it’s different:

• Speed matters more than depth. Turnover cleans happen between guests — often with just a 2–4 hour window. The focus is on guest-ready presentation: fresh linens, sanitized bathrooms, spotless kitchen, and a welcoming appearance.
• Frequency is higher, margins are strong. A popular Airbnb might turn over 15–20 times per month. Even at $75/turnover, that’s $1,125–$1,500/month from a single property.
• Consistency is everything. Hosts need the same standard every single time. Missed details = bad reviews = lost revenue for the host. Reliability is worth a premium.
• Linen service may be included. Many turnover cleans include stripping and remaking beds with host-provided linens. Some cleaners offer their own linen service for an additional fee.

For cleaning businesses: Short-term rental cleaning is a high-frequency, high-loyalty niche. Property managers with multiple listings need reliable cleaning partners and will pay premium rates for consistent quality. Build a separate service offering for this segment with its own pricing, checklist, and scheduling workflow.

Seasonal Cleaning Demand and Pricing

Cleaning demand isn’t flat throughout the year. Smart pricing accounts for these cycles:

Season	Demand Level	Pricing Strategy
January–February	Low (post-holiday slowdown)	Promotional rates to fill schedule. Offer “New Year Deep Clean” packages.
March–May	High (spring cleaning season)	Standard to premium rates. Capitalize on demand.
June–August	High (move-out/move-in peak)	Premium rates for move-out/move-in cleans. Charge full price.
September–October	Moderate	Standard rates. Good time to convert one-time clients to recurring.
November–December	High (holiday prep)	Premium rates. “Holiday-Ready” packages sell well.

The move-out peak (May–September + end of each month): This is when move-out cleaning demand surges. Leases typically end on the 30th/31st, and tenants need the unit cleaned for security deposit return, or the landlord needs it ready for the next tenant. Schedule these jobs early — they book out fast during peak months.

Sources

The pricing data, wage figures, and industry benchmarks in this guide are drawn from the following sources:

HomeAdvisor — House Cleaning Cost Guide
Taskrabbit — House Cleaning Services & Pricing
Thumbtack — House Cleaning Prices
Thumbtack — Move-Out Cleaning Cost
Angi — How Much Does House Cleaning Cost?
Angi — How Much Does Deep Cleaning Cost?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Regional Resources
Insureon — Cleaning Business Insurance Costs
IBISWorld — Janitorial Services Industry Report
Turno — Airbnb Cleaning Fees Guide
Cleanlink — Average Cost of Commercial Cleaning