Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) lets you store eggs at a younger age to use later. It’s become much more common in the US – but it’s expensive, rarely covered by insurance, and the price you’re quoted is often not the full cost. This guide breaks down what egg freezing really costs in 2026, how many cycles people typically need, and what your chances are of having a baby with frozen eggs.
Quick answer: one egg freezing cycle typically costs about $10,000–$20,000 including medication, plus $300–$1,000 a year for storage. FertilityIQ estimates the average patient spends around $36,000 in total, because most people do two cycles and store their eggs for years.
Egg freezing cost breakdown
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic fees for one cycle (monitoring, retrieval, anesthesia, lab freezing) | $8,000 – $15,000 | FertilityIQ puts the clinic portion at around $11,000 |
| Stimulation medication | $3,000 – $7,000+ | Depends on dose; FertilityIQ estimates around $5,000 |
| Initial consultation and fertility tests | $200 – $1,000 | Sometimes included in package prices |
| Egg storage | $300 – $1,000 per year | Often free for the first year, then billed annually |
| Using the eggs later (thaw, fertilization, embryo transfer) | Several thousand dollars | Similar to part of an IVF cycle – check your clinic’s price |
Ranges compiled from FertilityIQ, GoodRx and the Alliance for Fertility Preservation (see sources). Always ask clinics for an itemised written quote.
Egg freezing costs in major US cities
FertilityIQ’s city comparisons (reported by GoodRx) show average prices for one cycle ranging from roughly $13,800 in Boston and $14,850 in Los Angeles to $16,666 in Chicago and $17,773 in New York City. Prices change regularly, so use these as a guide and compare current quotes from fertility clinics near you.
How many cycles will I need?
Most people need more than one cycle to bank enough eggs. FertilityIQ reports that the average patient does a second cycle and more than 20% do a third. How many eggs you need depends mainly on your age when you freeze them.
Egg freezing success rates by age
Your chance of a baby depends on two things: how old you were when the eggs were frozen, and how many mature eggs you stored. A widely used model from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Goldman et al., Human Reproduction, 2017) estimated, for example, that freezing 10 mature eggs gives:
- about a 69% chance of at least one live birth if frozen at age 34
- about a 50% chance if frozen at age 37
- about a 19% chance if frozen at age 42
Freezing more eggs raises these odds, but with diminishing returns at older ages. Egg freezing is generally most effective before your mid-30s, and many doctors recommend freezing before 38 where possible. For context on how age affects fertility treatment overall, see our guide to IVF success rates by age.
Does insurance cover egg freezing?
Elective egg freezing (for personal or social reasons) is usually not covered by health insurance. However:
- Medical egg freezing – for example before cancer treatment that may damage fertility – is covered by law for certain plans in a growing number of states. See our IVF cost and insurance by state guide.
- Employer benefits: many large employers now offer fertility benefits that include egg freezing, even in states without a mandate. Ask your HR team.
How to reduce the cost of egg freezing
- Compare total prices, not headline prices – check whether medication, anesthesia and the first year of storage are included.
- Ask about multi-cycle packages, which can lower the cost per cycle if you’re likely to need two.
- Shop around for medication, as fertility drug prices vary between pharmacies.
- Check long-term storage fees before you commit – over 10 years, storage can add several thousand dollars.
- Look at clinic success rates: a clinic with a strong lab may get you more usable eggs per cycle. Compare clinics in our IVF clinic rankings by city.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to freeze your eggs in 2026?
Typically $10,000–$20,000 per cycle including medication, plus $300–$1,000 per year for storage. Total spending averages around $36,000 once multiple cycles and storage are included (FertilityIQ).
What is the best age to freeze your eggs?
Success rates are highest when eggs are frozen before the mid-30s. Many specialists suggest considering it by your early to mid-30s and ideally before 38.
How long can frozen eggs be stored?
Eggs frozen by vitrification (flash-freezing) appear to stay viable for many years. Storage time is usually limited by cost and clinic policy rather than biology.
Is egg freezing cheaper than IVF?
The first stage costs about the same as an IVF egg retrieval, because the stimulation and retrieval steps are identical. Using the eggs later adds the cost of thawing, fertilization and embryo transfer. See our IVF cost guide for comparison.
Sources
- FertilityIQ – The costs of egg freezing
- GoodRx – The cost of freezing your eggs (including Alliance for Fertility Preservation and FertilityIQ city figures)
- Goldman RH et al. “Predicting the likelihood of live birth for elective oocyte cryopreservation.” Human Reproduction, 2017.
This guide is general information, not medical or financial advice. Prices change frequently – always get a written quote from your clinic.
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