Is FedEx Cheaper Than USPS?
April 7, 2023 •Deyman Doolittle
With the current uncertain economic landscape, any cost reprieve is welcome to businesses of all sizes. Since shipping costs can make up a large portion of a company's expenses, finding the cheapest shipping service can be imperative.
To help you on your quest for low shipping rates, this article will compare FedEx and USPS services to determine which of the two carriers offers the cheapest rates.
What Are FedEx Shipping Rates?
FedEx has a range of shipping services that cater to all kinds of shipments - from domestic small parcel shipping to sending bulky goods through freight. The rates you pay for these services vary depending on various factors such as delivery time, the weight of your package, etc.
FedEx vs USPS rates: Let's begin by looking at the shipping rates for FedEx domestic shipping services and then compare them to USPS shipping rates.
FedEx Shipping Rates
Below are tables containing the rate ranges for various FedEx shipping services. From the data, you can see that FedEx shipping rates mainly depend on your parcel's weight and how far you're shipping it.
Refer to the zone key to see how FedEx determines zones according to distance.
FedEx Zones by distance from origin
Zone 2: 0–150 miles away from origin
Zone 3: 151–300 miles away from origin
Zone 4: 301–600 miles away from origin
Zone 5: 601–1,000 miles away from origin
Zone 6: 1,001–1,400 miles away from origin
Zone 7: 1,401–1,800 miles away from origin
Zone 8: 1,800+ miles away from origin
To get your exact shipping zones, use the FedEx Find Zones Tool.
FedEx Ground Shipping Rates
Service: FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery
Delivery Time: 1 to 5 business days
These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery Rates
|
Zone |
|||||||
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
|
FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery |
$10.10–$102.64 |
$10.51–$105.44 |
$11.46–$112.20 |
$11.98–$115.20 |
$12.38–$125.61 |
$12.52–$135.43 |
$12.74–$152.56 |
FedEx Express Shipping Rates
Service: FedEx First Overnight
Delivery Time: Next day by 8 or 8:30 a.m.
These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
FedEx First Overnight Rates
|
Zone |
||||||||
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
||
|
Type of Packaging |
FedEx® Envelope up to 8 oz. |
$61.25 |
$67.72 |
$77.84 |
$81.14 |
$82.15 |
$87.81 |
$90.41 |
|
All other packaging |
$68.04–$445.50 |
$85.84–$604.50 |
$102.63–$1,057.50 |
$110.21–$1,215.00 |
$114.39–$1,239.00 |
$125.70–$1,506.00 |
$128.32–$1,594.50 |
|
Service: FedEx Priority Overnight
Delivery Time: Next business day by 10:30 a.m. to most areas, by noon to residences, and by 4:30 p.m. to some remote areas.These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
FedEx Priority Overnight Rates
|
Zone |
||||||||
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
||
|
Type of Packaging |
FedEx® Envelope up to 8 oz. |
$30.25 |
$36.72 |
$46.84 |
$50.14 |
$51.15 |
$56.81 |
$59.41 |
|
All other packaging |
$37.04–$399.00 |
$54.84–$558.00 |
$71.63–$1,011.00 |
$79.21–$1,168.50 |
$83.39–$1,192.50 |
$94.70–$1,459.50 |
$97.32–$1,548.00 |
|
Service: FedEx Standard Overnight
Delivery Time: Next day by 4:30 p.m. to businesses and by 8 p.m. to residences. These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
FedEx Standard Overnight Rates
|
Zone |
||||||||
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
||
|
Type of Packaging |
FedEx® Envelope up to 8 oz. |
$29.54 |
$35.87 |
$44.43 |
$47.72 |
$48.68 |
$53.35 |
$55.79 |
|
All other packaging |
$33.87–$390.00 |
$46.16–$546.00 |
$62.10–$988.50 |
$68.80–$1,144.50 |
$74.56–$1,168.50 |
$81.04–$1,413.00 |
$85.43–$1,474.50 |
|
Service: FedEx 2Day A.M.
Delivery Time: By 10:30 a.m. on the second business day after shipping. These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
FedEx 2Day AM Rates
|
Zone |
||||||||
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
||
|
Type of Packaging |
FedEx® Envelope up to 8 oz. |
$24.05 |
$25.57 |
$26.69 |
$30.90 |
$36.44 |
$40.66 |
$41.49 |
|
All other packaging |
$25.37–$319.50 |
$27.01–$391.50 |
$29.33–$511.50 |
$35.17–$757.50 |
$41.46–$1,167.00 |
$44.25–$1,269.00 |
$45.22–$1,309.50 |
|
Service: FedEx 2Day
Delivery Time: Second business day after shipping, by 4:30 p.m. to most areas and by 8 p.m. to residences. These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
FedEx 2Day Rates
|
Zone |
||||||||
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
||
|
Type of Packaging |
FedEx® Envelope up to 8 oz. |
$ 22.59 |
$23.55 |
$24.55 |
$28.73 |
$34.50 |
$36.80 |
$37.55 |
|
All other packaging |
$22.59–$258.00 |
$23.55–$322.50 |
$24.55–$414.00 |
$28.73–$591.00 |
$34.50–$937.50 |
$36.80–$1,071.00 |
$37.55–$1,104.00 |
|
FedEx 3 Day Shipping Rates
Service: FedEx Express Saver
Delivery Time: 3 business days.
These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
FedEx Express Saver Rates
|
Zone |
||||||||
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
||
|
Type of Packaging |
FedEx® Envelope up to 8 oz. |
$21.03 |
$36.72 |
$21.90 |
$25.77 |
$29.46 |
$30.96 |
$34.37 |
|
All other packaging |
$21.03–$244.50 |
$21.46–$315.00 |
$21.90–$403.50 |
$79.21–$525.00 |
$29.46–$733.50 |
$30.96–$825.00 |
$34.37–$940.50 |
|
USPS Shipping Rates
Below are the rates for various USPS services. Refer to the USPS zone key below to determine your shipping zones.
USPS Zones by distance from the origin
Zone 1: 1-50 miles
Zone 2: 51-150 miles
Zone 3: 151-300 miles
Zone 4: 301-600 miles
Zone 5: 601-1000 miles
Zone 6: 1001-1400 miles
Zone 7: 1401-1800 miles
Zone 8: 1801 miles or greater
Zone 9: US territories & some Military addresses
Use the USPS Domestic Zone Chart to get exact shipping zones from specific zip codes.
USPS Ground Shipping Rates
Service: USPS Ground
Delivery Time: 2 to 5 business days.
These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
USPS Ground Retail Rates
|
Zone |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
Price Range |
$8.95–$53.25 |
$9.25–$53.35 |
$9.60–$58.95 |
$9.95–$81.45 |
$10.55–$96.65 |
$10.75–$118.55 |
$10.90–$139.95 |
$11.05–$161.75 |
$11.05–$161.75 |
USPS Express Shipping Rates
Service: Priority Mail Express
Delivery Time: Next-day to 2–day delivery service by 6 PM.
These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
USPS Priority Mail Express Rates
|
Zone |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
Price Range |
$28.75–$206.65 |
$28.95–$206.65 |
$29.05–$360.75 |
$31.20–$417.30 |
$35.50–$465.85 |
$38.15–$486.45 |
$40.70–$504.85 |
$43.70–$530.50 |
$56.00–$688.20 |
USPS: 3 Day Shipping Rates
Service: Priority Mail
Delivery Time: 1 to 3 business days.
These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
USPS Priority Mail Rates
|
Zone |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
Price Range |
$9.35–$53.40 |
$9.55–$55.45 |
$9.85–$59.50 |
$10.20–$82.00 |
$10.65–$113.25 |
$10.95–$133.85 |
$11.75–$158.10 |
$12.55–$196.75 |
$21.35–$401.35 |
What Is the Cheapest Shipping Method?
For comparison purposes, we will use the example of shipping an item to Zone 3 since, for both USPS and FedEx, Zone 3 corresponds to a destination 151–300 miles away.
Comparing FedEx vs USPS Cost to Ship an Item to Zone 3
FedEx Vs USPS Ground
These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
Shipping to Zone 3 using FedEx Ground – From $10.51 to $105.44
Shipping to Zone 3 using USPS Ground – From $9.60 to $58.95
USPS ground shipping is cheaper than FedEx ground shipping.
FedEx Vs USPS Express Services (Next Day or 2nd Day Delivery)
These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
Shipping to Zone 3 using FedEx First Overnight – From $85.84 to $604.50.
Shipping to Zone 3 using FedEx Priority Overnight – From $54.84 to $558.00.
Shipping to Zone 3 using Standard Overnight – From $46.16–$546.00.
Shipping to Zone 3 using FedEx 2Day A.M. – From $27.01–$391.50.
Shipping to Zone 3 using FedEx 2Day – From $23.55–$322.50.
Shipping to Zone 3 using Priority Mail Express – From $29.05–$360.75.
As you can see from the rates above, USPS Priority Mail Express is cheaper than most FedEx Express Services. Only FedEx 2Day is cheaper than USPS Priority Mail Express.
FedEx Vs USPS Standard Shipping (1 to 3 Day Delivery)
These prices are accurate as of March 2023:
Shipping to Zone 3 using FedEx Express Saver– From $21.46 to $315.00. .
Shipping to Zone 3 using USPS Priority Mail – From $9.85–$59.50.
For 3-day shipping, USPS is cheaper than FedEx.
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Frequently Asked Questions About FedEx vs. USPS Shipping
How does FedEx Ground compare to USPS Ground for cost?
USPS Ground is cheaper than FedEx Ground across most weight and zone combinations. For Zone 3 shipments, USPS Ground starts at $9.60 compared to $10.51 for FedEx Ground, with USPS topping out at $58.95 versus FedEx Ground's ceiling of $105.44.
Is USPS Priority Mail Express cheaper than FedEx Express overnight services?
USPS Priority Mail Express is cheaper than most FedEx Express overnight options. For Zone 3 shipments, Priority Mail Express starts at $29.05 versus $46.16 for FedEx Standard Overnight and $85.84 for FedEx First Overnight. The only FedEx Express service that undercuts Priority Mail Express is FedEx 2Day, which starts at $23.55 for Zone 3.
What are the distance cutoffs for FedEx delivery zones?
FedEx assigns zones 2 through 8 based on the distance between the origin and destination zip codes. Zone 2 covers shipments up to 150 miles, and each successive zone covers a progressively longer distance range, with Zone 8 covering destinations more than 1,800 miles away. Businesses can look up their exact zones using the FedEx Find Zones Tool.
Does package weight affect FedEx shipping costs?
FedEx rates are structured by both package weight and zone, so heavier packages shipped to distant zones carry the highest rates. FedEx Ground, for example, ranges from $10.10 for a light local shipment up to $152.56 for heavy packages shipped cross-country to Zone 8.
For which shipping service is FedEx cheaper than USPS?
FedEx 2Day is the one express service where FedEx undercuts USPS. For Zone 3 shipments, FedEx 2Day starts at $23.55 compared to $29.05 for USPS Priority Mail Express, making it the lower-cost choice for second-day delivery needs.