2026 permanent outdoor lighting cost data for Sacramento, compiled from EXT Lighting's own residential and commercial project ranges.
TL;DR: Based on EXT Lighting's Sacramento project ranges, the average cost of permanent outdoor lights in 2026 is $3,000 to $8,000 for most homes, driven mainly by roofline footage at $20–$40 per linear foot installed. The typical Sacramento install lands near $30 per linear foot. Budget roughly $2,500–$4,000 for a single-story ranch, $3,500–$5,500 for a two-story home, and $5,000–$8,000+ for a large or custom home. Commercial properties range $5,000–$25,000+. Operating cost runs $3–$8 per month on SMUD rates.
Pricing data for permanent outdoor lighting is hard to find because most of it lives inside individual installer quotes that never get published. This page collects the benchmarks we actually use when quoting Sacramento homes and businesses into one citable reference. The figures below are typical project ranges from EXT Lighting, a Sacramento-based permanent lighting company, not a fabricated external survey. They reflect what local homeowners pay in 2026 for a complete, warranty-backed, app-controlled system.
If you want an interactive estimate for your specific home, the permanent outdoor lights cost calculator applies these same ranges to your home size, story count, and coverage scope. For the full narrative breakdown of every pricing variable, see our Sacramento permanent outdoor lights pricing guide.
Methodology: Where This Cost Data Comes From
Every number on this page is sourced from EXT Lighting's own Sacramento-area project pricing, expressed as typical ranges rather than single point estimates. We do not publish a third-party survey, a national average, or a sample of competitor quotes. These are our ranges for installs across Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and the surrounding metro.
- Per-foot baseline: $20–$40 per linear foot installed, with $30/ft as the typical midpoint. This includes commercial-grade LEDs, mounting channel, wiring, a smart controller, professional installation, and a lifetime warranty on parts and labor.
- Home-size ranges: derived from the roofline footage we typically measure on single-story, two-story, and large/custom homes in the Sacramento metro.
- Operating cost: calculated on SMUD residential rates, among the lowest in California, for a typical dusk-to-midnight schedule.
- Temporary comparison: based on the $300–$600 per year that professional seasonal light installers charge in the Sacramento area.
Ranges are wide on purpose. Roofline complexity, mounting surface, and accessibility move a given home within its range, and only an on-site measurement produces an exact number. Treat these as benchmarks for budgeting, not as a fixed quote.
What Is the Average Cost of Permanent Outdoor Lights by Home Size?
Home size is the fastest way to ballpark a quote because it correlates with roofline footage. Here is the average cost of permanent outdoor lights in Sacramento broken down by home type, with the linear footage that typically drives each range.
| Home Type | Typical Price Range | Roofline Footage |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Story Ranch | $2,500 – $4,000 | 80 – 140 ft |
| Two-Story Home | $3,500 – $5,500 | 120 – 200 ft |
| Large / Custom Home | $5,000 – $8,000+ | 180 – 300+ ft |
| Commercial Property | $5,000 – $25,000+ | Varies widely |
Source: EXT Lighting Sacramento-area project ranges, 2026. Typical ranges, not a third-party survey.
Single-story ranch homes dominate older Sacramento neighborhoods and Citrus Heights, and their simpler rooflines keep them at the low end. Two- story homes in Roseville, Rocklin, and Folsom carry more footage and a height premium. Large and custom homes in El Dorado Hills and Granite Bay push higher because of extensive, multi-peak rooflines. Commercial pricing spans the widest range of all and depends almost entirely on building size and perimeter, which is why we quote it through our commercial lighting services.
How Much Do Permanent Outdoor Lights Cost Per Linear Foot?
Roofline footage is the single biggest cost driver. Permanent lighting in Sacramento prices at $20 to $40 per linear foot installed, with most homes landing near the $30/ft typical column. The table below shows what each footage band costs at the budget, typical, and complex rate.
| Roofline Footage | $20/ft (budget) | $30/ft (typical) | $40/ft (complex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 linear ft | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| 150 linear ft | $3,000 | $4,500 | $6,000 |
| 200 linear ft | $4,000 | $6,000 | $8,000 |
| 250 linear ft | $5,000 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| 300 linear ft | $6,000 | $9,000 | $12,000 |
Source: EXT Lighting per-linear-foot pricing, Sacramento area, 2026. The $20/ft column reflects straightforward single-story rooflines; $40/ft reflects complex multi-gable or two-story rooflines.
To estimate your own home, walk the perimeter and add up the roofline you want lit, then multiply by your rate band. The cost calculator does this math automatically and clamps the result to these published ranges. Most homeowners can save 25% to 35% by lighting only the front and street-visible sides, which leads to the next benchmark.
Front-Only vs. Whole-Home: How Coverage Changes the Price
You do not have to light every inch of roofline. Coverage scope is one of the biggest levers on final cost. Lighting the front only, or the front plus street-visible sides, captures most of the curb appeal for a fraction of the full-perimeter price. The table below applies the coverage levels from our calculator to a typical two-story home with 160 ft of total eligible roofline.
| Coverage Scope | Share of Roofline | Lit Footage | Typical Cost (at $30/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front only | 35 – 45% | ~55 – 70 ft | $1,700 – $2,100 |
| Front + sides (most popular) | 65 – 75% | ~105 – 120 ft | $3,100 – $3,600 |
| Full perimeter | 90 – 100% | ~145 – 160 ft | $4,300 – $4,800 |
Source: EXT Lighting coverage ranges applied to a 160 ft two-story roofline at the $30/ft typical rate, 2026.
Front-plus-sides is the most popular choice because it covers nearly everything visible from the street while skipping the rear elevation that few people see. The smart controller supports later expansion, so you can add the back of the house or extra zones without replacing hardware.
Is Permanent Lighting Cheaper Than Hiring Temporary Installers?
Many Sacramento homeowners start by comparing permanent lights to the cost of hiring someone to hang and remove temporary holiday lights every year. Professional temporary installation runs $300 to $600 per year for a typical home. The five-year comparison below shows where the crossover happens.
| Timeframe | Annual Temporary Installs | Permanent System (one-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $300 – $600 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| 5 years | $1,500 – $3,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 (paid) |
| 10 years | $3,000 – $6,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 (paid) |
| 15 years | $4,500 – $9,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 (paid) |
Source: EXT Lighting, 2026. Temporary install figures based on Sacramento seasonal installer pricing of $300–$600/year; permanent figures reflect the typical $3,000–$6,000 residential range.
By year 10, the cumulative cost of temporary installs reaches the price of a permanent system, and you own nothing afterward. Permanent LED systems last 15 to 20 years, work 365 days a year, and eliminate the annual ladder risk. Want the full payback math? Read our guide on whether permanent outdoor lights are worth it.
What Does It Cost to Run Permanent Outdoor Lights Per Month?
Operating cost is small. Running a typical residential permanent LED system through SMUD costs approximately $3 to $8 per month, depending on how many hours per day you run the lights and how many linear feet you have. Most homeowners use a dusk-to-midnight schedule, which puts the monthly cost closer to $3 to $5. SMUD residential rates are among the lowest in California, and modern LED systems use at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting per the U.S. Department of Energy. For a deeper breakdown, see our electricity cost guide.
What's Included in the Price?
Every figure on this page is for an all-inclusive, professionally installed system. The per-foot rate covers commercial-grade LEDs, aluminum mounting channel, all wiring and connectors, a smart Wi-Fi controller with a smartphone app, one-day professional installation, app setup and training, and a lifetime warranty on parts and labor. There are no hidden fees and no day-of upselling.
Four variables move a home within its range: roofline complexity (gables, dormers, and peaks), mounting surface (stucco and tile take more care than wood fascia), accessibility (two-story and steep-pitch work is slower), and coverage scope. Single-story stucco ranches in Citrus Heights and two-story homes in Roseville and Rocklin are the most common quotes we see. For a deeper look at how home size scales these numbers, read our pricing by home size guide.
How to Use This Cost Data for Your Sacramento Home
These benchmarks get you within budgeting range, but only a site visit produces an exact price. Here is the fastest way to apply the data:
- Find your home type in the home-size table for a quick ballpark range.
- Measure your roofline and multiply by $20–$40/ft (use $30/ft for a typical estimate) for a footage-based number.
- Pick your coverage scope – front-plus-sides saves 25% to 35% versus full perimeter.
- Run the cost calculator to combine all three into a single estimate.
- Request a free on-site quote for the exact number for your roofline.
We serve homeowners and businesses across the Sacramento metro, including Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Rancho Cordova, and Citrus Heights. Explore our residential lighting services or check the full service area map to confirm we cover your neighborhood.
Get Your Exact Number
This page gives you the benchmarks; a free consultation gives you the price. EXT Lighting measures your roofline, walks through coverage options, and hands you a fixed, transparent quote with no obligation. Get your free quote today and see exactly what permanent outdoor lighting would cost for your home.
