How much a mailbox costs depends on three parts: the box, the post and the installation. A basic non-locking steel box on a wood post is the cheapest setup, locking and package mailboxes cost several times more, and brick or stone columns cost the most. HomeGuide puts a standard mailbox plus installation at about $150 to $350 on average. See current pricing on our residential mailboxes.
This guide breaks down what drives the cost of each part, where third-party installation estimates land, and how to avoid paying for something you do not need. If you just want a matched box and post, our mailbox and post packages are the simplest way to budget.
Mailbox cost at a glance
We do not quote our own prices in articles because manufacturer pricing changes. Instead, here is how the main options compare relative to each other:
| Mailbox type | Relative cost | What you are paying for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic non-locking steel or plastic curbside box | Lowest | Standard size, light-gauge metal or plastic, no lock |
| Large or decorative non-locking box | Low to mid | More capacity, cast aluminum, better finishes |
| Wall-mount box | Low to mid (locking models higher) | Ranges from simple porch boxes to heavy steel security boxes |
| Locking curbside box | Mid to high | Heavy-gauge steel, high-security lock, anti-pry latch |
| Package or parcel mailbox | High | Bigger body, parcel opening, heavier steel |
| Personalized box and post package | High | Cast aluminum, custom plaques, decorative post |
| Multi-unit (double, triple, quad) package | Highest per post, often lower per household | Several boxes, spreader bar and one post |
| Brick or stone column | Highest overall | Masonry materials and skilled labor |
What affects the cost of a mailbox?
Material and steel gauge
Plastic and thin stamped steel are the cheapest. Cast aluminum costs more because of the casting and finish, and it will not rust. Heavy-gauge welded steel, such as the 12 to 16 gauge steel used in Mail Boss boxes, costs more again because there is more metal and more welding. Lower gauge numbers mean thicker steel.
Locking and security features
The cost of a locking mailbox comes from the lock, the latch and the body strength. A good locking box has a high-security lock, a latch that resists prying and a slot or baffle that stops people fishing out mail. A cheap box with a lock bolted on will not stop a determined thief, so this is where spending more tends to pay off. Our locking mailboxes collection is mostly heavy steel models built this way.
Size and package capacity
Bigger boxes use more material. A box that takes small parcels, such as the Mail Boss Package Master, costs noticeably more than a letter-only box. Its parcel opening takes items up to about 4.5 x 4.5 x 10.5 inches, so check that against what you actually receive before paying for capacity you will not use.
Personalization and finish
Custom side plaques, monograms, address numbers and two-tone finishes all add cost. Whitehall cast aluminum packages with personalized plaques sit near the top of the residential range for that reason, and they are made to order.
The post
The post can cost as much as the box. A plain 4x4 wood post is cheapest. Decorative polyethylene sleeves, steel posts and aluminum posts cost more, and a surface-mount post adds a base plate. A heavy locking or package box needs a strong post, so budget for both together. Browse mailbox posts.
Typical third-party cost ranges
For general budgeting, here are national estimates from HomeGuide's mailbox installation cost guide. They are approximate averages, not our prices, and local costs vary.
| Item | HomeGuide estimate |
|---|---|
| Standard mailbox plus installation | About $150 to $350 |
| Premium mailbox plus installation | About $400 to $600 |
| Labor only, standard install | About $100 to $400 |
| Brick, stone or stucco mailbox, installed | About $600 to $1,800 |
| Typical install time | 2 to 4 hours (standard), 8 to 16+ hours (masonry) |
For brick specifically, Angi reports a national average around $1,050, with most projects between about $825 and $1,275. Our post on brick mailbox cost goes deeper.
How much does it cost to install a mailbox?
If you do it yourself, installing a post-mounted box costs only the post, hardware and a couple of bags of concrete, plus an afternoon. Most homeowners can do it with a post-hole digger, a level and a tape measure. Before you dig, call 811 so buried utility lines are marked, and set the height and setback to USPS guidance. Our mailbox installation guide walks through each step.
Hiring a handyman makes sense for rocky or root-filled ground, removing an old post set in concrete, multi-box posts or anything masonry. For more detail on labor, read mailbox installation cost. If you would rather skip concrete, a no-dig ground anchor can cut both time and cost.
Mailbox replacement cost
Replacing a mailbox is usually cheaper than a new install if the post is sound: you are only buying the box and maybe new mounting hardware. Costs rise if the post is rotted, bent by a plow or set in concrete that has to be broken out. If plows are the reason you are replacing it, read how to protect your mailbox from snowplows before buying the same setup again.
For a shared driveway, one multi-box post is often cheaper per household than several single posts.
How to get the most for your money
- Match the box to the threat. If mail theft is not a problem on your street, a good non-locking box is fine. If it is, a cheap lock is money wasted; buy a properly built locking box once.
- Buy capacity you will use. Count how many parcels arrive a week before paying for a package box.
- Budget box and post together. A box and post package fits first time and avoids buying adapters.
- Choose the right metal for your climate. Near the coast, aluminum or stainless lasts longer than painted steel.
- Check approval first. A curbside box should be approved by the Postmaster General; start with our USPS approved mailboxes and confirm the approval line on the product page.
Still deciding on a type? Start with how to choose a mailbox.
What about a PO box?
If you were looking for the cost of renting a mailbox at the post office, that is a different product with its own fee schedule. See how much a PO box costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a basic mailbox?
Basic non-locking steel or plastic curbside boxes are the cheapest option. HomeGuide puts basic steel boxes at around $20 to $40 and mid-range boxes at $50 to $150. Locking and package boxes cost several times more.
Why do locking mailboxes cost more?
They use thicker welded steel, a high-security lock, an anti-pry latch and a baffle or slot that blocks fishing. That extra material and hardware is what makes them hard to break into.
How much does it cost to have a mailbox installed?
HomeGuide estimates labor for a standard mailbox at about $100 to $400, and about $150 to $350 total with a standard box. Masonry mailboxes cost much more.
Is a mailbox post included with the mailbox?
Usually not, unless you buy a mailbox and post package. Many boxes are sold box-only, so check the listing and budget for the post.
Does it cost money to set up a mailbox with USPS?
No. USPS does not charge to deliver to your own curbside or wall mailbox. You pay only for the box, post and installation. PO boxes are rented separately.
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See current pricing on residential mailboxes and mailbox and post packages. Want a recommendation within your budget? Contact us.
******It is always recommended to contact your local postmaster prior to installation. While most of our mailboxes are USPS-approved your local postmaster may have specific preferences in terms of mailbox types and installation location******