The Rising Cost of Snail Mail: A 10-Year Look at Postage Stamp Prices
Written by Arbitrage • 2025-07-28 00:00:00
In an age of instant messages and digital communication, the humble postage stamp continues to carry the weight of tradition - and increasingly, a heavier price tag. Over the past decade, the cost of a First-Class Forever stamp in the U.S. has climbed steadily. Whether you're mailing wedding invitations or grandma's birthday card, you are likely paying more than you did just a few years ago. But how much more, and how does this compare to previous decades?
A Decade of Climbing Costs: 2016-2025
| Year | Price | Annual % Change |
| 2016 | $0.47 | -4.1% |
| 2017 | $0.49 | +4.3% |
| 2018 | $0.50 | +2.0% |
| 2019 | $0.55 | +10.0% |
| 2020 | $0.55 | 0% |
| 2021 | $0.58 | +5.5% |
| 2022 | $0.60 | +3.4% |
| 2023 | $0.66 | +10.0% |
| 2024 | $0.73 | +10.6% |
| 2025 | $0.78 | +6.8% |
Over this 10-year span, the price of a stamp has risen from $0.47 to $0.78, a 66% increase. That's significantly higher than the U.S. inflation rate over the same period, which was about 30%, meaning stamp prices have more than doubled inflation.
How Does This Compare to the Past?
| Decade | Starting Price | Ending Price | Total Increase | % Increase |
| 1970s | $0.06 | $0.15 | $0.09 | 150% |
| 1980s | $0.15 | $0.25 | $0.10 | 67% |
| 1990s | $0.25 | $0.33 | $0.08 | 32% |
| 2000s | $0.33 | $0.44 | $0.11 | 33% |
| 2010s | $0.44 | $0.55 | $0.11 | 25% |
| 2020s* | $0.55 | $0.78 | $0.23 | 42% |
*Note: The 2020s are not over yet, but we've already seen a larger price increase than the 2000s and 2010s combined.
Why the Increases?
The U.S. Postal Service cites several reasons:
- Rising operating costs, including labor and transportation
- Declining mail volume (fewer letters = less revenue)
- A push to achieve financial sustainability after years of losses
- New authority from the Postal Regulatory Commission (since 2020) allowing more frequent and larger increases
What This Means for You
If you buy Forever stamps today, they're good for life, so some people are "investing" in large rolls before the next hike. But for businesses, nonprofits, and anyone who regularly uses the mail, these costs add up quickly. A 100-stamp roll that cost $47 in 2016 now costs $78 - a $31 increase for the same service.
Final Thoughts
The price of a postage stamp may seem small in isolation, but over time, it reflects broader shifts in inflation, logistics, and the evolving role of the postal service. As the USPS continues to modernize and recalibrate its business model, expect stamp prices to keep inching up.
Your mailbox might feel a little heavier - at least on your wallet.