Gold IRA Fees 2026: Full Comparison
By James Mitchell, CFA · Last updated: March 22, 2026 · Methodology
We collected fee data directly from all 6 major gold IRA providers in March 2026. Annual fees range from $160/year (Genesis Gold Group) to $280/year (Lear Capital). Minimums range from $7,500 to $50,000.
6
Providers Compared
$160/yr
Lowest Annual Fee
$7,500
Lowest Minimum
Mar 2026
Data Updated
Complete Fee Comparison Table
All data sourced from provider disclosures as of March 2026. Annual fees include custodian + storage unless noted.
| Provider | Setup Fee | Annual Fee | Minimum | Custodian | Metals | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta Precious Metals Best overall — highest fee transparency, lifetime support | $0 | $180/year | $50,000 | Equity Trust | Gold, Silver | 9.5 |
| Goldco Best for $25K–$50K investors — 4 metals, strong brand | $0 | $175–$225/year | $25,000 | Kingdom Trust | Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium | 9.1 |
| Genesis Gold Group Lowest minimum ($10K) — best for new investors | $0 | $160/year | $10,000 | Equity Trust | Gold, Silver | 8.8 |
| Birch Gold Group 4 metals, $10K minimum — good for diversified portfolios | $0 | $200/year | $10,000 | Equity Trust | Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium | 8.6 |
| American Hartford Gold Competitive fees, strong customer service | $0 | $180/year | $10,000 | Equity Trust | Gold, Silver, Platinum | 8.5 |
| Lear Capital Lowest minimum ($7,500) — 4 metals available | $0 | $280/year | $7,500 | Equity Trust | Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium | 8.2 |
Ranked by Annual Fee (Lowest First)
Ranked by Minimum Investment (Lowest First)
Key Finding
The average annual gold IRA fee in 2026 is $200/year. No provider charges a setup fee. All providers include storage in their annual fee. The lowest-cost option is Genesis Gold Group at $160/year with a $10,000 minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the typical fees for a gold IRA in 2026?
Gold IRA fees in 2026 typically include: (1) Setup fee: $0 at most providers; (2) Annual custodian fee: $75–$300/year; (3) Storage fee: usually included in the annual fee, ranging from $100–$200/year for segregated storage; (4) Transaction fees: usually a fixed spread over spot price (no per-trade percentage). Total annual cost typically ranges from $160–$300/year.
Which gold IRA company has the lowest fees?
Genesis Gold Group has the lowest annual fee at $160/year with a $10,000 minimum. Augusta Precious Metals and American Hartford Gold both charge $180/year. Lear Capital is the most expensive at $280/year but has the lowest minimum at $7,500.
What is the minimum investment for a gold IRA?
Gold IRA minimums in 2026 range from $7,500 (Lear Capital) to $50,000 (Augusta Precious Metals). Most providers require $10,000–$25,000. Augusta's $50,000 minimum is the highest in the industry but comes with premium education and lifetime support.
Are gold IRA fees tax-deductible?
Gold IRA fees are generally not tax-deductible when paid from outside the IRA. However, if fees are paid directly from the IRA account, they reduce your taxable distribution. Consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.
What is a segregated storage fee for a gold IRA?
Segregated storage means your gold is stored separately from other customers' metals in a dedicated vault. This typically costs $100–$200/year more than commingled storage. All providers in our comparison offer segregated storage as standard.
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