A gold IRA has two kinds of cost. The first is account fees: setup, the custodian's yearly charge, and storage at a depository. These are published and fairly similar from company to company. The second is the price you pay for the metal compared with its market value, called the premium or spread. That cost is rarely posted, changes with the product you buy, and often decides whether the account makes sense. This guide covers both, with typical ranges and the questions that get you a real number.
At a glance
- Custodian-based figures: published custodian plus storage fees run about $215 to $265 a year at GoldStar and STRATA
- The dealer spread is paid up front and is usually the largest single cost
- Common bullion carries narrow spreads; proof and collectible coins can carry much wider ones
- A fee waiver does not offset a wide spread on the metal
- Get the price per ounce, spot price, and same-day buyback price in writing
The fees every gold IRA charges
These are set by the IRA custodian and the depository, not the dealer. The figures below come straight from each custodian's own published fee schedule, checked October 2026. Fees change, so confirm before you open an account.
| Custodian | Setup | Annual fee | Commingled storage | Segregated storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoldStar Trust | $50 | $90 | $125 a year | $225 minimum, plus $1.80 per $1,000 above $125,000 |
| STRATA Trust | Not listed separately | $150 | $115 a year | Higher; see schedule |
| Equity Trust (precious metals account) | $50 | $125 | Billed by depository | Billed by depository |
| Entrust Group (Delaware Depository) | See schedule | See schedule | See schedule | $150 a year (gold, platinum, palladium) |
Sources: GoldStar Trust fee schedule, STRATA Trust fees, Equity Trust fee schedule, Entrust Delaware Depository form.
Other costs to ask about: Equity Trust lists a $250 full termination fee, and Delaware Depository charges a $25 minimum per outgoing shipment. Some administrators charge storage by value instead, for example $0.80 per $1,000 with a $95 yearly minimum for commingled storage.
The spread: the cost most people miss
Spot price is the market price for raw gold. Dealers sell above spot (the premium) and buy back below their selling price. The gap between your purchase price and the same-day buyback price is the spread. You pay it once, but it has to be earned back by the metal rising before you break even.
| Product type | Typical spread | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold bars (1 oz and larger) | Low single digits % | Usually the cheapest way to hold gold in an IRA |
| Common bullion coins (American Eagle, Buffalo, Maple Leaf) | Low to mid single digits % | Easy to price and easy to sell back |
| Proof and premium coins | Often 15% to 30% or more | Ask why a proof coin is recommended over bullion |
| Semi-numismatic or collectible coins | Can exceed 30% | Value depends on collector demand, not just gold price |
Many dealers explain their pricing in the customer agreement you sign. Read the section on pricing and buyback before you sign, and ask the representative to point to it.
What a $50,000 rollover costs over five years
The example assumes $250 a year in combined custodian and storage fees and no change in the gold price. It shows how much the spread matters compared with the yearly fees.
| Scenario | Spread at purchase | 5 years of account fees | Total 5-year cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullion bars or common coins, 4% spread | $2,000 | $1,250 | $3,250 |
| Mixed bullion and premium coins, 12% spread | $6,000 | $1,250 | $7,250 |
| Mostly proof or collectible coins, 30% spread | $15,000 | $1,250 | $16,250 |
The yearly fees are the same in all three rows. The product choice is what moves the total.
Plain-English glossary
- Spot price: the live market price for one ounce of raw gold.
- Premium: how much above spot you pay for a specific coin or bar.
- Buyback price: what the dealer will pay to buy that product back from you.
- Spread: the gap between your purchase price and the buyback price.
- Custodian: the IRS-approved firm that holds the IRA and files its paperwork.
- Depository: the vault where the metal is stored. Segregated storage keeps your exact pieces separate; commingled storage pools like products.
Five questions to ask before you wire funds
- What is the price per ounce on this product, and what is the spot price right now?
- What would you pay to buy this same product back from me today?
- Which custodian do you use, and what are its setup and annual fees?
- What does storage cost, and is it segregated or commingled?
- Is there a minimum purchase, and can I put that quote in writing?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gold IRA cost per year?
Most accounts pay a custodian fee and a storage fee every year. At the custodians we checked, the two together run about $215 to $265 a year for commingled storage, and some custodians charge storage as a percentage of metal value instead of a flat amount. Ask for the full annual fee schedule in writing before you open the account.
What is the spread on a gold IRA purchase?
The spread is the gap between what you pay for the metal and what the dealer would pay to buy it back that same day. On common bullion coins and bars it is often a few percent. On proof, semi-numismatic, or collectible coins it can be far wider. The spread is usually the largest cost in a gold IRA, larger than years of custodian fees.
Why don't gold IRA companies post their markups online?
Metal prices move all day, so dealers quote live. Many also prefer to discuss pricing on the phone. Their customer agreements usually explain how pricing works and sometimes state a maximum markup. You can always ask for a written quote showing the price per ounce and the spot price at that moment.
Do 'no fee' gold IRA offers really save money?
Not always. A promotion that waives the first year or several years of custodian and storage fees saves a few hundred dollars a year. If the metal you buy carries a much wider spread, that cost can be larger than every fee waived. Compare the premium over spot on the same product before choosing a company because of a fee waiver.
What should I ask before wiring money for a gold IRA?
Ask five things in writing: the price per ounce and the spot price at the time of the quote, the same-day buyback price for that product, the custodian's setup and annual fees, the storage fee and whether storage is segregated or commingled, and any minimum purchase or account size.
Continue your research
Custodian fees come from each custodian's published schedule; dealer spread ranges are typical industry figures, since dealers do not publish markups. They are not quotes and change over time. Confirm current pricing in writing with any company before buying. This is educational information, not investment advice. Wealth Defender HQ may be compensated by some companies listed; compensation does not affect scores.