Which Is Cheaper, USPS, UPS, or FedEx? (Live Rate Comparison)
Rate data current as of March 12, 2026. This page reads live from our rate database, refreshed automatically as carrier prices change.
The short answer
For most packages, it matters less than people think. Based on live discounted commercial rates (NY to LA, 12"×9"×6" box):
- USPS Ground Advantage is cheapest for very small packages — up through 8 oz.
- UPS Ground Saver takes over from 9 oz onward and stays cheapest through 70 lb.
- The gap between USPS and UPS in the close band is typically under $0.43, so picking the carrier whose drop-off is on your route saves more time than chasing the cheapest sticker price.
- At the heaviest end (around 70 lb), UPS pulls ahead by roughly $71.88 — the gap genuinely matters at heavy weights.
- FedEx Ground is generally the most expensive of the three for small-box shipments at every weight in our data.
One caveat: these are discounted commercial rates booked through shipping software (Stamps.com, ShippingEasy, Shippo, ShipStation), not retail rates at a UPS Store or post office counter. Counter prices can be 50–88% higher. See worked examples.
Live rate table
Cheapest carrier and price at each weight, NY to LA, 12"×9"×6" box. Reads from our database — these are the same numbers powering the bump chart on the home page.
| Weight | Cheapest | Service | Price | Vs runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | USPS | Ground Advantage | $5.52 | +$0.90 |
| 4 oz | USPS | Ground Advantage | $5.52 | +$0.90 |
| 8 oz | USPS | Ground Advantage | $5.77 | +$0.65 |
| 9 oz | UPS | Ground Saver | $6.42 | +$0.01 |
| 10 oz | UPS | Ground Saver | $6.42 | +$0.01 |
| 11 oz | UPS | Ground Saver | $6.42 | +$0.01 |
| 12 oz | UPS | Ground Saver | $6.42 | +$0.01 |
| 13 oz | UPS | Ground Saver | $7.51 | +$0.01 |
| 14 oz | UPS | Ground Saver | $7.51 | +$0.01 |
| 1 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $8.65 | +$0.61 |
| 2 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $9.44 | +$0.56 |
| 5 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $12.82 | +$0.43 |
| 7 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $12.82 | +$0.43 |
| 10 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $12.82 | +$0.43 |
| 15 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $12.95 | +$0.30 |
| 20 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $12.95 | +$0.30 |
| 21 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $34.32 | +$5.50 |
| 22 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $34.73 | +$11.33 |
| 23 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $36.10 | +$14.49 |
| 24 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $38.18 | +$15.30 |
| 25 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $39.35 | +$15.77 |
| 30 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $45.45 | +$18.74 |
| 40 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $57.38 | +$21.84 |
| 50 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $66.60 | +$26.75 |
| 55 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $96.69 | +$53.07 |
| 60 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $100.87 | +$58.75 |
| 65 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $103.72 | +$65.03 |
| 70 lb | UPS | Ground Saver | $105.26 | +$71.88 |
What about box size? Dimensional weight changes the answer
Carriers don't just charge by actual weight. If your box is large relative to what's in it, they apply dimensional weight — calculated as length × width × height ÷ 139 (in inches) — and bill whichever is higher.
On a larger 15"×14"×9" box (1,890 cubic inches, ≈ 14 lb DIM), the rankings essentially lock in place from 1 oz through about 10 lb because DIM weight sets the price floor. The same 7 lb shipment that costs $12.82 in our small box becomes $21.52 in the large box. Box choice can matter as much as carrier choice.
When does each carrier actually win?
USPS
- Light packages (≤ 8 oz). Ground Advantage edges UPS by roughly $0.65–$0.90 — small but consistent.
- Free flat-rate boxes. If your item fits in a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope or box, the flat rate often beats per-weight pricing from any carrier — especially at heavier weights, where flat rate is capped.
- PO Box delivery. Only USPS delivers to PO Boxes. UPS and FedEx will hand off to USPS for the last mile (UPS SurePost / FedEx SmartPost), but you pay for the handoff.
- Free home pickup. Schedule a free USPS pickup at your door — no extra fee. UPS and FedEx pickups cost extra.
UPS
- 9 oz through 70 lb on ground service. UPS Ground Saver wins by pennies up to ~20 lb, then by meaningful dollars on heavier shipments.
- Time-definite delivery. Next Day Air, 2nd Day Air, and 3 Day Select have stronger guarantees than USPS Priority Mail Express in our experience, especially for business addresses.
- Drop-off network. UPS Stores, Staples, CVS, Michaels, and UPS Drop Boxes — usually a UPS drop-off is closer than people realize.
FedEx
- Rarely the cheapest small-box ground option in our live data, but FedEx Ground is sometimes price-competitive on heavier residential shipments depending on zone.
- Strong overnight network. FedEx First Overnight and Priority Overnight have early-morning delivery commitments that USPS and UPS don't match in many cities.
What this means for you
If you're shipping under 20 lb, the cheapest carrier saves you literal pennies. Pick whichever drop-off is on your route, or whichever account you already have discounted rates for. The calculator on our home page compares all three carriers in real time for your specific shipment — use that instead of guessing from a generic article.
If you're shipping over 20 lb regularly, the savings compound: $5–10 per package on 21–25 lb items, $50+ on heavy 60–70 lb items. Set up a UPS account through shipping software if you don't already have one.
Methodology
Rates are pulled from Shippo's discounted commercial rate API (the same rates available through Stamps.com, ShippingEasy, ShipStation, and other mainstream shipping software). Sample shipment is NY (10001) to LA (90001) in a 12"×9"×6" box across weights from 1 oz to 70 lb. The interactive calculator uses the same data source for any origin/destination you enter. Bump-data row last refreshed March 12, 2026; this page rebuilds every visit.