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PO Box Cost: Current Prices & Fees

Updated  1 source

Smallest box, 6 months

$80 – $170

The smallest PO box (Size 1) costs $80 – $170 for six months at competitive-fee Post Offices, according to USPS. The exact price depends on the location.

A PO box is a locked mailbox you rent inside a Post Office. People use one to keep their home address private, to get mail while they move or travel, or to give a small business a stable mailing address. You pay in advance for a 3-month, 6-month or 12-month term.

The fees on this page come from the official USPS price list (Notice 123, effective October 4, 2026), checked on Oct 11, 2026. PO box fees change from time to time, so confirm the price at your Post Office or on usps.com when you sign up.

Why PO Box Prices Come as a Range

USPS does not charge one national price for a PO box. Each Post Office is assigned to a fee group, and the group sets the rent for every box size there. That is why each price on this page is a range. The low end is the cheapest fee group and the high end is the most expensive one.

Boxes fall into two broad categories:

  • Competitive locations. Most busy city and suburban Post Offices. Fees run from fee group C37 at the low end to C30 at the high end, and all five box sizes are listed.
  • Standard locations. Post Offices in USPS's market-dominant fee groups, numbered 7 down to 1. These are often smaller offices, and the price list shows Size 1 to Size 3 boxes for them.

To find the exact price, search your ZIP code on the USPS PO box page or call the Post Office. Two offices a few miles apart can be in different fee groups.

PO Box Cost at Competitive Locations

A 6-month rental at a competitive location ranges from $80 – $170 for the smallest box to $270 – $677 for the largest.

Competitive locations, 6-month fee (by size)

Item Typical range Relative price range
XS - Size 1, 6 months $80 – $170
S - Size 2, 6 months $103 – $225
M - Size 3, 6 months $161 – $395
L - Size 4, 6 months $193 – $452
XL - Size 5, 6 months $270 – $677

Source: USPS: Notice 123 Price List

Shorter 3-month terms are available for the three smaller sizes. A Size 1 box costs $46 – $98 for three months.

Competitive locations, 3-month fee (by size)

Item Typical range Relative price range
XS - Size 1, 3 months $46 – $98
S - Size 2, 3 months $60 – $130
M - Size 3, 3 months $93 – $228

Source: USPS: Notice 123 Price List

Compare the 3-month and 6-month prices before you pick a term. If you know you will keep the box, the longer term usually means fewer renewals to track.

PO Box Cost at Standard Locations

At standard (market-dominant) Post Offices, a 6-month Size 1 box costs $31 – $81. A Size 3 box costs $60 – $206.

Standard locations, 6-month fee (by size)

Item Typical range Relative price range
XS - Size 1, 6 months $31 – $81
S - Size 2, 6 months $41 – $118
M - Size 3, 6 months $60 – $206

Source: USPS: Notice 123 Price List

If your nearest office is in a competitive fee group and a smaller office nearby is not, the second one may cost less. Weigh that against how often you will drive there to collect mail.

Which PO Box Size Do You Need?

USPS numbers its boxes from Size 1 (extra small) to Size 5 (extra large).

  • Size 1 (XS). Fits letters and a few magazines. Enough for one person who gets light mail.
  • Size 2 (S). Room for a household's letters plus catalogs and flat envelopes.
  • Size 3 (M). Suits a small business or anyone who receives bundles of mail.
  • Size 4 and 5 (L, XL). For high-volume business mail, offered at competitive locations.

Packages that do not fit in your box usually wait at the counter. Ask your Post Office how it handles parcels before you size up only for packages.

Additional PO Box Fees

Rent is not the only charge. USPS lists a few extra fees:

Additional fees

Item Price
Key deposit (per key) $6
Lock replacement or late payment fee $30

Source: USPS: Notice 123 Price List

The key deposit is $6 per key, and you pay it for each key you take. If you lose a key, need a lock replaced or pay your renewal late, the fee is $30. Setting up automatic renewal on usps.com is the simplest way to avoid the late charge.

How to Rent a PO Box

  1. Search for available boxes by ZIP code on usps.com, or visit the Post Office.
  2. Pick a size and a term, then pay online or at the counter.
  3. Bring two forms of ID to the Post Office: one photo ID and one that shows your physical address.
  4. Pick up your keys and start using the box address.

Not every office has every size open. Popular locations can have waiting lists, so check availability before you plan around a specific Post Office.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a PO box cost per month?

USPS rents boxes in 3-, 6- and 12-month terms, not monthly. The smallest box costs $80 – $170 for six months at competitive locations and $31 – $81 at standard locations.

Why is my Post Office more expensive than another one?

Each Post Office belongs to a fee group. Offices in higher-cost groups charge more for the same box size.

What is the cheapest PO box?

A Size 1 box at a standard location is the lowest-priced option, at $31 – $81 for six months.

Are there extra fees when you rent a PO box?

Yes. Each key needs a $6 deposit, and lock replacement or late payment costs $30.

Can I get packages at a PO box?

Yes, USPS delivers packages to PO boxes. Items too large for the box are usually held at the counter for pickup.