USPS To Raise Stamp Prices: What That Means To Illinois

Well, if it feels like everything in your daily life costs a little more every time you turn around (because it does), here’s one more addition to the list: postage stamps.

The US Postal Service (USPS) has proposed another price hike that would push the cost of a First-Class “Forever” stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents, starting in July if approved by regulators. That may not sound like a huge jump on its own at just four cents, but it continues a long, steady climb that longtime mail users have seen coming for decades.

To put things in perspective, mailing a letter has changed dramatically over time. In 2000, a stamp cost just 33 cents. Back in 1990, it was 25 cents. In 1980, you could send a letter for about 15 cents. In other words, the price has roughly quintupled in a generation, and the increases have sped up in recent years as mail volume has dropped and operating costs have risen.

Not As Many People Are Using Stamps As There Were At One Time

USPS says the hikes are necessary to keep the system financially afloat, especially as fewer Americans rely on traditional mail in the age of email, online billing, and digital everything. Supporters argue that even with the increases, US postage remains relatively affordable compared to many countries.

But for everyday users like small businesses, nonprofits, and older residents who still depend on mail, the increases add up quickly. Here in Illinois, that means everything from mailing holiday cards to sending local community newsletters is just a little more expensive each year.

Switzerland is very often cited as having the most expensive postage in the world for domestic letters. Swiss Post prices are high because of strong labor costs, dense service standards, and the expectation of very fast, reliable delivery even to remote Alpine areas.

Other countries that regularly rank near the top include:

• Denmark (historically very high, though their system has been shrinking and restructuring)
• Norway and Sweden (Scandinavia tends to be pricey due to operating costs and low mail volume)
• Netherlands and Germany (moderately high by global standards, especially for fast delivery options)
• United Kingdom (Royal Mail has seen significant increases in recent years, especially for first-class service)

So the next time you grab a book of stamps, don’t be surprised if the price feels a little heavier than the envelope you’re mailing.