The Cheapest Place to Get a Money Order (+ Other Low-Cost Options)

William Lipovsky headshot William Lipovsky
Verified & Updated Apr 20, 2020

The cheapest place to get a money order may be your bank; some banks offer money orders for free for account holders. If your bank doesn’t offer free money orders or you do not have a bank account, 7-Eleven and Meijer offer the cheapest money orders (starting around $0.65 per money order). Retailers like Kroger, Publix, and Walmart also have low money order fees — usually around $1 or less. Note that at retail stores with money services, fees may vary by location.

For the full list of low-cost money order options, see below. We compiled this information by contacting each company for details of its money order services.

The Cheapest Places to Get a Money Order

The following places have the lowest purchase fees for money orders:

Meijer

7-Eleven

  • Issuer: Western Union or MoneyGram (varies by location)
  • Fee: Varies by location; $0.65 or 1% to 3% of the total money order amount
  • Cashes money orders? No
  • Find a location

For more information on 7-Eleven money orders, see our 7-Eleven money order FAQ.

Your Bank

Some banks will provide you with a money order for free if you have a certain type of account, while other banks will charge fees of $5 or higher, even for account-holders. See our list of banks that offer money orders for free. We also have details about bank fees in our list of over 50 places where you can get a money order.

Other Places to Get Low-Cost Money Orders

The following places offer low-cost money orders:

H-E-B

  • Issuer: Western Union
  • Fee: $0.69
  • Cashes money orders? Yes, if originally purchased at H-E-B
  • Find a location

See our related research for more on H-E-B’s money services.

Kmart

  • Issuer: Western Union
  • Fee: $0.70
  • Cashes money orders? Yes, up to $500
  • Find a location

Publix

Find out more in our research on money services at Publix.

Kroger

  • Issuer: Western Union
  • Fee: $0.88
  • Cashes money orders? Yes
  • Find a location

Find more details in our research on Kroger’s money order services.

Walmart

  • Issuer: MoneyGram
  • Fee: $0.88
  • Cashes money orders? Yes, if originally purchased at Walmart
  • Find a location

Find out more in our research on Walmart money orders.

Albertsons

See our previous research on money services at Albertsons.

Rite Aid

See our dedicated research on money orders at Rite Aid.

Circle K

  • Issuer: MoneyGram
  • Fee: Varies by location; around $1 to $1.30
  • Cashes money orders? No
  • Find a location

See our complete Circle K money order FAQ.

U.S. Postal Service

  • Issuer: The USPS issues its own money orders and does not partner with MoneyGram or Western Union.
  • Fee: $1.20 to $2.60
  • Cashes money orders? Yes
  • Find a location

For more information about postal money orders, see where to cash USPS money orders.

CVS

For more information, see our CVS money order FAQ.

Important Tips About Money Orders

Before you head out to buy a money order, you may want to consider other factors that will affect the price and status of your money order. As mentioned above, rates can differ based on location. Retail chains often have fees that vary among individual stores.

International money orders will generally cost more than ones sent within the U.S., too. Purchasers sending money orders to a different country should keep the exchange rate in mind, as some locations will convert the money order into local currency.

When picking up or cashing a money order, be sure to have your photo I.D. (driver’s license, passport, etc.) with you. Some locations will require proof of address (bank statement, utility bill, etc.) as well.

For more information about how money orders work, see our money order FAQ.

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