House Cleaning Service Cost in 2026
A standard house cleaning costs $118–$239 per visit in 2026, averaging about $176. Deep cleaning averages around $260, and the single biggest discount in the industry is hiding in plain sight: recurring visits cost 10–20% less than one-off cleans of the same home.
Quick answer: what it costs in 2026
| Professional house cleaning (per visit) | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard recurring clean | $118 | $176 | $239 |
| Deep clean (one-off) | $180 | $260 | $375 |
| Per cleaner, per hour | $25 | $35 | $50 |
| Move-in / move-out clean | $250 | $360 | $500 |
Based on Angi's analysis of 98,643 verified projects (updated September 2026). 'Standard' means a maintenance clean of a lived-in home; first-time and deep cleans cost more because there is more to do.
Estimates based on published ranges from Angi, HomeAdvisor, Fixr and the Cost vs. Value Report, checked November 9, 2026. Your local price will differ — see the regional table below and our research method.
House cleaning is priced three ways — per visit, per hour, or per square foot — and companies choose whichever flatters their quote. Angi's 2026 data (98,643 verified projects) puts the national average at $176 per standard visit, with most households paying $118–$239. Housecall Pro's 2026 analysis of real jobs lands in the same neighbourhood, with typical standard cleans averaging $140–$220.
The number that matters for budgeting is not the first clean — it is the recurring rate. A first visit is almost always priced as a deep clean ($180–$375, averaging about $260) because the cleaner is resetting the home, not maintaining it. Once on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule, the same home drops to the standard band, and frequency discounts of 10–20% are standard practice across the industry. Our dedicated deep cleaning cost guide breaks the one-off reset down by home size, clean type and add-on.
Independent cleaners and companies price differently too. Independents typically charge $25–$50 an hour directly; companies charge $45–$75 per cleaner-hour but bring insurance, bonding, background checks, supplies and a replacement if your cleaner is sick. Neither is automatically better — you are choosing between price and infrastructure.
What the price normally includes
- Kitchen: counters, sink, appliance exteriors, stovetop, floors
- Bathrooms: toilet, shower/tub, mirrors, counters, floors
- Living areas and bedrooms: dusting reachable surfaces, floors vacuumed/mopped
- Interior trash emptied; beds made or linens changed on request (varies)
- Cleaning supplies and equipment (companies; independents vary — agree in advance)
- For deep cleans: inside oven/fridge, baseboards, interior windows, cabinet fronts, detailed grout attention
House cleaning cost by home size (standard clean)
| Home size | Typical standard visit | Typical deep clean | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment / condo under 1,000 sq ft | $90–$160 | $150–$280 | 1.5–2.5 hrs |
| 1,000–1,500 sq ft | $120–$200 | $200–$340 | 2–3 hrs |
| 1,500–2,000 sq ft | $150–$240 | $250–$400 | 2.5–4 hrs |
| 2,000–3,000 sq ft | $180–$320 | $320–$520 | 3–5 hrs |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $260–$450+ | $450–$700+ | 4–6+ hrs |
Bands compiled from Angi, HomeGuide and Housecall Pro 2026 published ranges, cross-checked against the national $118–$239 standard-visit range. Square footage is a proxy — a cluttered 1,200 sq ft home with three dogs can take longer than a tidy 2,000 sq ft home.
What drives the price up or down
Frequency
Weekly service is the cheapest per visit, bi-weekly slightly more, monthly more again (more build-up between visits), and one-off cleans the most. Published discounts for recurring bookings typically run 10–20% versus one-off pricing — commit to a schedule if you plan to keep the service.
Number of bathrooms
Bathrooms are the slowest rooms in the house. Pricing formulas quietly weight them heavily: two homes of identical size can differ by $40–$60 a visit purely on bathroom count.
Pets, kids and clutter
Pet hair, heavy kitchen grease and surfaces that must be cleared before they can be cleaned all add time. Honest companies price after seeing the home; a suspiciously low phone quote usually becomes a higher invoice after the walkthrough.
Independent vs company
Independents are cheaper per hour and often more flexible, but carry no backup cleaner, may not be insured, and payment/tax handling is on you. Companies cost more and handle all of that. For a home with valuables or access while you're out, bonding and insurance are worth real money.
Extras
Inside-oven and inside-fridge cleaning, interior windows, laundry, and move-in/out detail work are rarely included in a standard visit. Published add-on prices typically run $25–$60 per appliance/task — agree the list before the visit, not during it.
First visit vs maintenance
The condition a home starts from sets the first price: a home that hasn't been professionally cleaned in a year needs the bathrooms descaled, the kitchen degreased and the skirting boards detailed before maintenance cleaning even makes sense. That reset is exactly what the deep-clean price buys, and it is why quotes given sight-unseen over the phone so often rise after the first walkthrough. A cleaner or company that inspects (in person or by video) before quoting the first visit is pricing the real job, not a teaser — expect the second visit onward to settle into the lower recurring band and stay there as long as the schedule holds.
Cost by region
| Region | Typical range | Why |
|---|---|---|
| South | $100–$220/visit | Lower labour costs; competitive independent market |
| Midwest | $110–$230/visit | Near national average |
| Northeast | $150–$300/visit | Higher labour; metro premiums pronounced |
| West Coast | $150–$320/visit | Highest rates in major metros |
Regional bands compiled from published 2026 regional cleaning-rate guides, framed around Angi's national range. Metro areas sit at the top of each band; rural areas often below the bottom.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Start with a deep clean, then drop to a recurring schedule — the per-visit price falls and stays predictable.
- Book bi-weekly instead of monthly if budget allows: it is usually only slightly more per month and the home never fully resets to 'deep clean' territory.
- Declutter surfaces before the visit. You are paying for cleaning time; don't spend it on tidying you could do free.
- Agree the task list in writing — what 'standard' includes varies by company, and assumptions are where disappointment lives.
- Ask whether supplies are included; if you provide them, you control the products but lose the convenience.
- Independent cleaners booked directly can save 20–30% versus company rates — weigh that against insurance, backup coverage and your comfort with access.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip house cleaners?
Tipping is customary in the US: $10–$20 per cleaner per visit, or 15–20% for a one-off deep clean, is the common range. For a regular cleaner, a holiday bonus equal to one visit's price is traditional.
How long does a standard cleaning take?
Roughly 2–4 hours for an average home with one or two cleaners. Time depends more on bathrooms, pets and condition than raw square footage.
What's the difference between a standard and deep clean?
A standard clean maintains: surfaces, floors, bathrooms, kitchen exteriors. A deep clean resets: inside appliances, baseboards, grout detail, interior windows, cabinet fronts and built-up grease and soap scum. First visits are normally deep cleans.
Do cleaners bring their own supplies?
Companies almost always do. Independents vary — some bring everything, others use yours. Agree it in advance; it affects both price and which products touch your surfaces.
Is a cleaning service worth it for a small apartment?
At $90–$160 per visit for a weekly or bi-weekly service it's a lifestyle purchase, not a necessity — but for move-out cleans it can be directly financial: a documented professional clean helps recover a security deposit.
How do I prepare for the first cleaning?
Clear floors and surfaces, secure pets, point out anything fragile or off-limits, and be specific about priorities. A five-minute walkthrough at the start saves the most common complaint in the industry: 'they cleaned everything except what I cared about.'
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Typical: $26,950 · Range $14,600–$41,600Sources: Angi house cleaning cost guide (updated Sep 2026; 98,643 verified projects) incl. deep-cleaning data; HomeGuide and Thumbtack cleaning rates 2026; Housecall Pro 2026 cleaning price analysis. Full source list and methodology: How we research. Spotted a price that looks wrong in your area? Tell us — we re-check reader-flagged figures first.