- Personal posts are generally FREE
- Job posting fees: $10-$75 depending on location
- Brokered apartment listings: $5 in NYC
- Therapeutic services: $10 per post
- Vehicle dealers: $5 per vehicle
- Fees vary by geographic market
Craigslist’s fee structure is designed to keep personal use free while charging for commercial and high-volume posting categories. Understanding these fees helps you budget for your posting needs and choose the most cost-effective posting strategies.
Personal category posts remain completely free across all Craigslist markets. This includes items for sale, housing wanted, personal services (non-commercial), community posts, missed connections, and general for-sale listings. Individual users selling personal items never pay posting fees.
Job posting fees represent the largest fee category and vary significantly by geographic market. Major metropolitan areas like New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington DC charge $75 per job posting. Mid-size markets typically charge $25-45 per posting, while smaller markets often charge $10-25 per job listing.
The geographic variation in job posting fees reflects local market conditions and demand. High-cost, high-demand job markets command premium posting fees, while smaller markets maintain affordable rates to encourage local business participation.
Brokered apartment listings require fees only in specific markets. New York City charges $5 per brokered rental listing, helping distinguish between individual landlords and professional real estate brokers. This fee applies only to licensed real estate professionals, not individual property owners.
Therapeutic services postings cost $10 in most markets where permitted. This category includes massage therapy, counseling, alternative medicine, and similar professional health and wellness services. The fee helps verify legitimate practitioners and reduces fraudulent service advertisements.
Vehicle dealer postings require a $5 fee per vehicle in most markets. This applies to licensed automotive dealers, not private party vehicle sales. The fee helps distinguish between personal vehicle sales and commercial dealer inventory.
Adult services, where legally permitted and available, typically require fees ranging from $5-10 per post. However, these categories have been removed from many markets due to legal concerns and policy changes.
Payment processing for posting fees accepts major credit cards and PayPal in most locations. Some markets might offer additional payment methods, but credit cards remain the most universally accepted option across all Craigslist sites.
Fee refund policies are generally restrictive. Posting fees are typically non-refundable, even if your post gets flagged, removed, or doesn’t generate the response you expected. This makes it crucial to follow all posting guidelines carefully before submitting paid posts.
International market fees may differ from US pricing structures. Canadian Craigslist sites, for example, might have different fee schedules that reflect local currency and market conditions.
Volume discounts are not typically available for posting fees. Each post requires individual payment, regardless of how many posts you submit. This per-post pricing model keeps the fee structure simple but can become expensive for high-volume posters.
Fee changes occur occasionally, usually announced through posting interface updates rather than direct user notification. Always check current fees during the posting process rather than relying on previously remembered pricing.
Budget planning for regular posting should account for fee variations across different markets if you post in multiple locations. A job posting campaign across several major cities can become quite expensive with fees ranging from $25-75 per market.
Free alternatives exist for some paid categories. For example, posting jobs in the gigs section (for temporary work) remains free, while traditional job postings require fees. Understanding category distinctions can help minimize posting costs.
Business expense deductibility applies to legitimate business posting fees. Job posting fees, service advertisement costs, and other business-related Craigslist expenses are typically deductible business expenses for tax purposes.
Comparing posting fees to other advertising platforms often shows Craigslist’s competitive pricing. While $75 for a job posting in a major market might seem expensive, it’s often significantly less than comparable advertisements on other job boards or professional networks.