You Could Soon Be Paying a Lot More To Send a Letter

Though virtual communication is easier than ever, many Americans still rely on the U.S. Postal Service to stay in touch with their loved ones or send packages across the country. The organization remains highly popular for both its reliability and its affordability, but it has become less affordable over time.

Intermittent price increases can be a hard pill for everyday Americans to swallow, but it’s not as if the Postal Service is intentionally trying to price gouge customers. These hikes are meant to help keep the organization afloat and offset the financial losses that have plagued USPS for years. Unfortunately, it looks as if another price increase may be on the near horizon, so here’s what you should know.

A 20% Increase?

The USPS suffered a $9 billion loss in 2025, and Postmaster General David Steiner says the organization might run out of money in less than 12 months. In a March 2026 appearance before Congress, Steiner proposed raising the cost of a first-class stamp from its current rate of 78 cents to as high as 95 cents, claiming it “would largely solve our controllable loss.”

The U.S. Postal Service began operations in 1971, replacing an earlier postal agency that had existed since 1792. When USPS was founded, the cost of mailing a letter was just 8 cents, which equates to 65 cents when adjusted for inflation. It hit 10 cents in 1974, a quarter in 1988, and 50 cents in 2018. Over the next seven years, the price kept creeping up until it hit the current rate of 78 cents, which has been in effect since July 13, 2025 — a 56% increase over the 2018 cost. But a hike up to 95 cents per stamp would denote the largest single increase in USPS history. 

It’s yet to be determined if and when this proposed hike will take effect, but it may be as soon as later this year — so keep your eyes peeled and wallets open.

How Does This Price Compare Globally?

While an increase from 78 cents to 95 cents per stamp may seem like a large jump, it’s worth noting that it’s quite affordable compared to other countries’ postal services. Steiner cited additional data saying that the cost of a first-class stamp in France is almost $3, while the same type of stamp in England costs around $2.50.

Previously, a 2023 report from the Office of Inspector General noted that first-class stamps in the U.S. were more affordable than their equivalents in 26 other nations as of June of that year. The findings ranked Italy at the top, listing the cost of a first-class stamp there as equal to $2.96 USD; Finland and Estonia were runners-up at $2.43. 

All this is to say that while nobody is a fan of rumored USPS price hikes, the organization still offers stamps at a more affordable rate than many other industrialized countries.

Another Impending Price Hike

USPS will impose a separate 8% price hike on April 26 that is set to last until at least January 17, 2027. The price increase — which affects Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select — is meant to help offset rising fuel and transportation costs. 

However, it’s worth noting that first-class stamps are exempt from this price increase, and the fate of any rumored price hikes on that front are still TBD.

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