Budgie Cost: Price, Setup and Yearly Cost (2026)

Where the money goes each year

A typical year for a budgie, with typical spending in an average-cost area, no insurance.

Illness and injury (average)$150
Annual avian-vet wellness exam$110
Replacement toys (budgies shred them)$100
Pellets (or pellet/seed mix)$60
Cage liners / paper$40
Fresh vegetables and fruit$25
Replacement perches$20
Nail trims (as needed)$20
Cuttlebones / mineral blocks$10
Typical year$540

Most years land between $350 and $1,020. Items replaced on a cycle are spread across the years.

Setup and the first year

For budgies, the equipment usually costs far more than the animal.

Getting set up

Price (pet store or breeder)$88
Flight cage with 1/2-inch bar spacing$120
Perches in varied diameters and materials (2–3)$35
Extra food and water cups$15
Starter toys (at least 3)$35
Cuttlebone / mineral block$10
Cage cover$25
Travel carrier (for vet trips)$55
Tabletop play stand (optional)$0
New-bird exam with an avian vet$110
New-bird tests (psittacosis PCR, fecal, Gram stain, CBC)$120
Upfront$610

Running costs in year one

Pellets (or pellet/seed mix)$60
Fresh vegetables and fruit$25
Replacement toys (budgies shred them)$100
Replacement perches$20
Cuttlebones / mineral blocks$10
Cage liners / paper$40
Illness and injury (average)$150
Year-one running costs$410

First-year total: $1,020. Adopting instead brings it to about $1,100.

Make it your estimate

Change the choices that move the price most. Totals update as you go.

Health costs to plan for

Condition	What it is	Typical treatment	Cost
Lipomas and xanthomas (fatty tumors)	Merck says lipomas are most common in budgies, usually over the keel or chest; xanthomas are also common in budgies and may improve with diet. Many are only monitored, and removal is needed only when they are large, ulcerated or bothering the bird. Source	Surgical removal under anesthesia (hospitalization/surgery, per ThePricer); diet change and monitoring cost far less	$500–$2,000
Psittacosis (chlamydiosis)	Budgies can carry Chlamydia psittaci without showing signs, and it can spread to people. Lafeber's avian vet says the standard treatment is 45 days of doxycycline followed by a retest. Source	Exam (about $108) plus a 45-day doxycycline course and retest (ThePricer: outpatient medication $50–$300+); severe cases need hospitalization	$160–$450
Egg binding (hens)	Merck lists budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds as commonly affected. Female budgies can lay eggs without a male, and a stuck egg is an emergency. Source	Emergency exam and X-rays, calcium, fluids and warmth; sedation or abdominal surgery if the egg will not pass (ThePricer: emergency exam $150–$300+, X-rays $150–$400+, surgery $500–$2,000+)	$300–$2,000
Scaly face and leg mites	Merck names budgies as the species most often affected. Crusty growths on the beak and legs can deform the beak if left untreated, and wooden perches and toys must be replaced. Source	Exam plus oral or injected antiparasitic drug (The Vet Desk: parasite treatment $60–$150+), new perches and toys	$100–$250

The yearly estimate includes an average of $150 for illness and injury. Insurance is available for this pet; turn it on in the calculator to compare.

What drives the cost

The bird is the cheapest part: PetSmart lists parakeets at $44.99 (often on sale for $26.99), while a basic cage, carrier and accessories cost $250 or more.
Budgies are flock birds and PetSmart recommends a same-sex companion. A second bird roughly doubles food, toys and vet bills but shares the cage, cover and carrier, so two cost well under twice as much as one (budget a bigger flight cage, around $190, for a pair).
Avian vets charge more than dog-and-cat vets for a tiny patient: a Green Bay, WI clinic lists bird wellness exams from $107.62 (Feb 2026), and VCA says many vets recommend checkups twice a year.
Budgies shred toys, so toys are a running cost rather than a one-time purchase; at $10–$14 per small-bird toy on Chewy, replacing one a month is $120–$170 a year.
Pellets are cheap per bird (about 8 lb a year): $30 a year on bulk ZuPreem, about $200 on Harrison's organic pellets.
Nationwide's Avian & Exotic plan covers budgies; it advertises premiums from under $21 a month with a $250 annual deductible and 50% or 70% reimbursement.

Is it legal where you live?

Budgies are legal to own without a permit in every US state. Don't confuse them with the monk (Quaker) parakeet, a different species banned in about 13 states, including California, Georgia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Human psittacosis cases must be reported to state health officials.

Cities and counties can have their own rules. Check locally before you buy.

Pet store or breeder: $25–$150
Bird rescue or shelter: $10–$75
Lifetime: $5,800

How this estimate is built

Every line, with the typical, thrifty and generous figures and where each comes from.

Item	Typical	Range	Basis and sources
Setup
Flight cage with 1/2-inch bar spacing	$120	$80–$190	Low: Prevue Small Bird Flight Cage, 30 x 18 x 18 in, $79.99 at Chewy (Chewy Q&A says it suits one budgie, not two). High: Prevue Wrought Iron Small & Medium Flight Cage, 31 x 20.5 x 53 in, $189.99, roomy enough for a pair. Typical $120 sits inside ThePricer's $100–$350 range for a flight-oriented cage. Chewy: Prevue Pet Products Small Bird Flight Cage ($79.99); Chewy: Prevue Wrought Iron Small & Medium Birds Flight Cage ($189.99); ThePricer: How Much Does a Parakeet Cost? (cage $100–$350+)
Perches in varied diameters and materials (2–3)	$35	$15–$60	Cages come with smooth dowels; owners add natural-wood perches of different widths for foot health. Polly's Hardwood Bird Perch X-Small (sized for parakeets) is $20.45 at Chewy; The Vet Desk gives $5–$30 per perch. Typical = 2 added perches. Chewy: Polly's Pet Products Hardwood Bird Perch, X-Small ($20.45); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Bird Cost? (perches $5–$30 each)
Extra food and water cups	$15	$10–$30	Cages include basic cups; a spare set lets you swap clean dishes daily and add a separate dish for fresh vegetables. JW Pet InSight Clean Cup, Small, $6.55 each at Chewy; The Vet Desk gives $5–$15 per dish. Typical = 2 cups. Chewy: JW Pet InSight Clean Cup Bird Feed & Water Cup ($6.55); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Bird Cost? (dishes $5–$15 each)
Starter toys (at least 3)	$35	$20–$60	PetSmart's care guide says to provide at least three toys and rotate them. Typical = 3 small-bird toys at Chewy: Super Bird Creations Flying Trapeze $13.99 and Mini Starburst $10.59 (x2) = $35. PetSmart: Blue Parakeet care guide (at least three toys); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Flying Trapeze Bird Toy, Small ($13.99); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Mini Starburst Bird Toy, Small ($10.59)
Cuttlebone / mineral block	$10	$5–$15	SunGrow Bird Cuttlebones, 6-in, 4 count, $9.95 at Chewy ($2.49 each). Chewy: SunGrow Bird Cuttlebones, 4 count ($9.95)
Cage cover	$25	$15–$40	PetSmart advises covering the cage at night. Prevue Good Night Bird Cage Cover, Medium (20 x 20 x 30 in), $24.99 at Chewy; The Vet Desk gives $15–$50+. Chewy: Prevue Pet Products Good Night Bird Cage Cover, Medium ($24.99); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Bird Cost? (cage cover $15–$50+)
Travel carrier (for vet trips)	$55	$20–$115	Typical: Prevue Soft Sided Bird Travel Carrier, Small Perch, $54.99 at PetSmart. High: K&H Mod Bird Travel Carrier $113.99 at Chewy. Low reflects The Vet Desk's $15–$100 range for basic plastic carriers. PetSmart: Prevue Soft Sided Bird Travel Carrier, Small Perch ($54.99); Chewy: K&H Pet Products Mod Bird Travel Carrier ($113.99); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Bird Cost? (carrier $15–$100)
Tabletop play stand (optional)	$0	$0–$34	Optional; many owners use the cage top. High: A&E Cage Company Wood Tabletop Play Station, 20 x 15 x 14 in, $33.99 at Chewy. Chewy: A&E Cage Company Wood Tabletop Play Station ($33.99)
First year
New-bird exam with an avian vet	$110	$75–$150	VCA advises a first avian-vet visit within 1–2 weeks of bringing a bird home; PetSmart recommends one within 14 days. The Gentle Vets (Green Bay, WI) lists bird wellness exams from $107.62 as of Feb 2026; The Vet Desk gives $70–$300 for an initial visit including extras. The Gentle Vets: Exotics pricing (bird wellness exam from $107.62, Feb 2026); VCA (via LifeLearn): Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit; The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Bird Cost? (initial vet visit $70–$300)
New-bird tests (psittacosis PCR, fecal, Gram stain, CBC)	$120	$40–$250	Avian vet Susan Orosz (Lafeber) says a Chlamydia (psittacosis) PCR test is often recommended at the first visit; VCA lists CBC, fecal exam and choanal/cloacal Gram stains as typical new-bird tests. The UGA diagnostic lab charges vets $21 for a Chlamydia PCR, before clinic markup and handling. ThePricer gives $40–$200+ for fecal/lab testing; a 2023 Seattle owner reported about $350 for an exam plus CBC and fecal, i.e. about $240 for the tests. Low = fecal and PCR only; high = full panel. Lafeber: Psittacosis: What Bird Owners Need To Know (Susan Orosz, DVM); VCA (via LifeLearn): Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit; UGA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab: Avian submission form and prices (Oct 2024); ThePricer: How Much Does a Parakeet Cost? (lab testing $40–$200+); Parrot Forums: How much does an avian vet checkup cost? (2023 owner reports)
Every year
Pellets (or pellet/seed mix)	$60	$30–$200	A budgie eats about 15–16 g of food a day (ExoticDirect), and VCA recommends pellets as 60–80% of the diet, so about 10 g of pellets a day, or 8 lb a year. Typical: ZuPreem FruitBlend Small Bird in 2-lb bags at $7.65/lb x 8 = $61. Low: ZuPreem 10-lb bag at $3.80/lb x 8 = $30 (or Kaytee Forti-Diet seed at $15.99 per 5 lb). High: Harrison's High Potency Super Fine organic pellets at $25.20/lb x 8 = $202. Chewy: ZuPreem FruitBlend Small Bird Food (2 lb $15.29; 10 lb $37.99); Chewy: Harrison's High Potency Super-Fine, 1 lb ($25.20); PetSmart: Kaytee Forti-Diet Egg-Cite Parakeet Food, 5 lb ($15.99); VCA (via LifeLearn): Budgies – Feeding (pellets 60–80% of diet); ExoticDirect: What can budgies eat? (15–16 g of food a day)
Fresh vegetables and fruit	$25	$10–$50	LOW CONFIDENCE. VCA says produce should be no more than 20–25% of the diet, which works out to a few grams a day, usually taken from the household's own groceries. Estimated at about 1 lb a month at roughly $2/lb. No published per-bird produce cost was found; ThePricer's $120–$300 a year for all food is the outer bound. VCA (via LifeLearn): Budgies – Feeding (produce up to 20–25%); ThePricer: How Much Does a Parakeet Cost? (food $120–$300/yr)
Replacement toys (budgies shred them)	$100	$50–$175	Typical = about 8 replacement toys a year at $10.59–$13.99 each (Super Bird Creations small-bird toys at Chewy). ThePricer puts enrichment and toys at $75–$250 a year; The Vet Desk at $50–$150+. ThePricer: How Much Does a Parakeet Cost? (toys $75–$250/yr); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Bird Cost? (entertainment $50–$150+/yr); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Mini Starburst Bird Toy, Small ($10.59)
Replacement perches	$20	$10–$40	Wooden perches get chewed and soiled, and Merck advises discarding wooden perches after a mite infestation. Typical = one Polly's hardwood perch a year ($20.45 at Chewy); high = two. Chewy: Polly's Pet Products Hardwood Bird Perch, X-Small ($20.45); Merck Veterinary Manual: Skin and Feather Disorders of Pet Birds
Cuttlebones / mineral blocks	$10	$5–$15	About one 4-pack a year: SunGrow 4 count $9.95 at Chewy. Chewy: SunGrow Bird Cuttlebones, 4 count ($9.95)
Cage liners / paper	$40	$10–$65	High = weekly pre-cut liners: Vitakraft 20 x 18 in liners, 21 count $25.62 ($1.22 each) x 52 = $63. Typical $40 is the low end of ThePricer's $40–$150 for cleaning and liners. Low = newspaper or plain paper plus a little cleaner. Chewy: Vitakraft Bird Cage Liners, 21 count ($25.62); ThePricer: How Much Does a Parakeet Cost? (cleaning/liners $40–$150/yr)
Annual avian-vet wellness exam	$110	$75–$220	VCA says birds need at least an annual checkup and many vets recommend two a year; Merck also recommends a yearly checkup. Typical = one exam at about $108 (The Gentle Vets, Green Bay, WI, Feb 2026); high = two exams a year. Routine bloodwork at the annual visit (about $240 more, per a 2023 Seattle owner) is not included. The Gentle Vets: Exotics pricing (bird wellness exam from $107.62); VCA: Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit (annual or twice-yearly checkups); Merck Veterinary Manual: Importance of Veterinary Care in Pet Birds
Nail trims (as needed)	$20	$0–$40	Many budgies never need trims if they have varied perches; others need one or two a year, often done at the wellness visit. Owners report about $18 per nail trim in Seattle (2023) and $7–$35 for nail or beak-and-nail trims in Indiana (2019). Avian wellness plans (e.g. Niles Animal Hospital) bundle beak and nail trims. Parrot Forums: How much does an avian vet checkup cost? (nail trim about $18, 2023); Parrot Forums: Vet care cost (2019 owner price lists); Niles Animal Hospital: Wellness program for pet birds
Illness and injury, per year
Illness and injury (yearly average)	$150	$50–$500	No survey reports average illness spending per budgie. Estimate based on bird-wide cost guides: The Vet Desk puts bird emergencies at $100–$500+ a year and medication at $0–$150+; ThePricer lists $150–$300+ for an emergency exam, $50–$300+ for medication, $150–$400+ for X-rays and $500–$2,000+ for hospitalization or surgery, and suggests a $500–$1,500 reserve. Typical $150 assumes roughly one sick visit with medication every year or two, plus an occasional larger bill. The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Bird Cost? (emergencies $100–$500+/yr); ThePricer: How Much Does a Parakeet Cost? (vet cost breakdown)
Insurance, per month
Nationwide Avian & Exotic accident & illness premium	$15	$10–$21	Nationwide is the only major US insurer for birds and quotes by phone. Its bird page says premiums 'generally start at less than $21/month'; The Zebra's phone quote for a macaw (a far larger parrot) came to about $14/month. Employer plan summaries describe a $250 annual deductible and 50% or 70% reimbursement. No budgie-specific quote was published, so the typical value is an estimate below Nationwide's ceiling. Nationwide (petinsurance.com): Pet insurance plans for birds; The Zebra: Exotic Pet Insurance (sample Nationwide quotes); Villanova HR: Nationwide Pet Insurance (Avian & Exotic plan terms)

Common questions

How much does a budgie cost?

Pet store or breeder: $25–$150; bird rescue or shelter: $10–$75. The bigger costs come after: about $300 to set up, about $1,020 for the whole first year, then about $540 a year.

How much does a budgie cost per year?

About $540 a year ($45 a month) for a typical owner in an average-cost area, ranging from about $350 for a thrifty owner in a lower-cost area to $1,020 for a generous owner in a big city with insurance.

How much does a budgie cost over its lifetime?

About $5,800 over a 10-year life, in 2026 dollars.

Sources

Estimates in 2026 US dollars. Vet prices for this pet use the same region adjustment as the rest of the site (methodology). Updated October 14, 2026.