Compare wire transfer fees at US banks and credit unions. Domestic vs. international, incoming vs. outgoing, and cheaper alternatives.
Wire Transfer (Domestic Out)
$20.00median
$1.00 – $55.00·91 institutions
Wire Transfer (Domestic In)
$12.00median
$5.00 – $28.95·58 institutions
How 107 institutions price this fee. National median: $20.00
Wire transfers are electronic fund transfers between banks via networks like Fedwire or SWIFT. Fees vary by direction (incoming vs. outgoing) and destination (domestic vs. international). Outgoing wires are always more expensive than incoming. International wires cost significantly more due to correspondent banking relationships.
Domestic outgoing wires typically cost $20-$30. Incoming domestic wires may be free or cost $10-$15. International outgoing wires range from $35-$50. Credit unions generally charge less than banks for all wire types. Online-initiated wires are sometimes cheaper than branch-initiated ones.
For domestic transfers, ACH transfers are usually free but take 1-3 business days. Zelle offers free instant transfers between participating banks. For international transfers, services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) often offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional bank wires.