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Short answer: plan on roughly $500 to $1,200 for a leopard gecko’s first year in the U.S. The gecko is the cheap part (usually $30-$80 for a normal morph). The setup costs about $250-$650, and food, supplements, electricity and replacement bulbs add about $20-$50 a month. Keep a separate $100-$200 vet fund. Choosing mid-range gear for everything can push year one toward $1,700. Most of the spending happens in the first month, so year two is far cheaper.
How we put this together: this is a planning budget, not a receipt from one purchase. Price ranges come from U.S. retail listings and published 2026 cost guides from Reptile Direct, Leopard Geckos Reptiles and PetPriceTag. Prices vary by region and change often.
Leopard Gecko Year-One Cost at a Glance
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gecko (normal morph) | $30-$50 | $50-$100 | Designer morphs can cost hundreds or more |
| Enclosure | $80-$150 | $150-$280 | 36x18x18 in (about 50 gal) is the modern adult recommendation |
| Heat source + fixture | $20-$45 | $45-$75 | Halogen/deep heat projector overhead, or a heat mat |
| Thermostat | $25-$40 | $40-$120 | Not optional with any heat source |
| Low-output UVB (5-6%) | $40-$60 | $60-$90 | Recommended; tube replaced about once a year |
| Thermometer / temp gun | $15-$30 | $30-$50 | Digital probe plus an infrared gun is ideal |
| 3 hides (warm, cool, humid) | $20-$45 | $45-$80 | |
| Substrate | $10-$30 | $30-$60 | Paper towel, tile, or a soil/sand mix |
| Dishes and decor | $15-$30 | $30-$75 | Shallow water dish, escape-proof feeder dish |
| Feeders for 12 months | $110-$200 | $200-$300 | Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms |
| Calcium + multivitamin | $20-$30 | $30-$40 | A tub often lasts 6-12 months |
| Electricity | $60-$120 | $120-$180 | Depends on wattage and your rates |
| Replacement bulbs | $25-$45 | $45-$80 | UVB tube and heat bulb |
| Vet: new-pet exam / fund | $50-$100 | $100-$200 | Exotic exams often run $50-$100+ before tests |
| Year-one total | ~$520-$1,000 | ~$1,000-$1,700 |
The Enclosure: Your Biggest One-Time Cost
A 20-gallon long tank is the bare minimum for one adult, but most current care guides recommend a 36x18x18-inch enclosure (about 50 gallons) so you can create a proper warm-to-cool gradient. Front-opening glass and PVC enclosures cost more than a basic tank but make feeding and cleaning easier and are less stressful for the gecko than reaching in from above.
Compare options in our guide to the best leopard gecko enclosures (20 vs 40 gal vs 4x2x2). Shopping now: 36x18x18 front-opening terrariums.
Heat, Thermostat and Lighting
Leopard geckos need a warm basking area of about 88-92°F with a cooler side in the 70s. Whatever heat source you choose, put it on a thermostat; an unregulated heat mat or lamp can overheat and burn a gecko. See the right numbers in our leopard gecko tank temperature guide, and compare controllers in best leopard gecko thermostats.
UVB: leopard geckos can survive without it if they get vitamin D3 from supplements, but many keepers and vets now recommend low-output (5-6%) UVB. We explain why in does a leopard gecko need UVB? Plan to replace the tube about every 12 months, because UVB output fades before the light looks dim. Low-output UVB kits
More heating options are in our roundup of the best leopard gecko heat lamps.
Hides, Substrate and Small Stuff
Every leopard gecko needs at least three hides: one on the warm side, one on the cool side, and a humid hide filled with damp moss to help with shedding. Add a shallow water dish and a smooth-sided feeder dish so mealworms can’t escape.
- Substrate ideas and safety notes: best leopard gecko bedding
- Humid hides | digital thermometers | infrared temp guns
Monthly Costs: Food, Supplements and Power
Most of a leopard gecko’s ongoing cost is live insects. Juveniles eat daily and adults eat every 2-3 days. Buying feeders in bulk online or keeping a small dubia colony is cheaper than buying a cup of crickets every week. Dust feeders with calcium (with or without D3, depending on whether you use UVB) and a multivitamin on a regular schedule.
Electricity for one enclosure’s heat and light usually adds a few dollars to $15 a month, depending on wattage and local rates.
Vet Costs: Budget Before You Need Them
A healthy leopard gecko may not need a vet for years, but exotic-animal visits cost more than you’d expect. A new-pet wellness exam plus a fecal parasite test is a smart first-month expense. Find a reptile vet before an emergency, for example through the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. For planning help, see our vet costs budget guide and preventative pet care costs.
How to Save Money Without Cutting Corners
- Buy the adult-size enclosure first so you don’t pay twice.
- Buy a used enclosure locally and disinfect it with a reptile-safe cleaner.
- Don’t skimp on the thermostat. It is cheaper than treating a burn.
- Buy feeders in bulk and keep them properly so fewer die.
- Use paper towel or tile as a cheap, easy-to-clean substrate.
Still deciding? Our checklist of what you need before owning a leopard gecko walks through every item in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a leopard gecko cost for the first year?
Plan on about $500 to $1,200 in the U.S. The gecko is usually $30 to $80, the setup is about $250 to $650, and food, supplements, power and bulbs add about $20 to $50 a month. Keep a separate vet fund.
What is the monthly cost of a leopard gecko?
After setup, most owners spend about $20 to $50 a month on feeder insects, supplements, electricity and replacement bulbs, not counting vet care.
Is a leopard gecko a cheap pet?
Leopard geckos are cheaper to buy than many pets, but the enclosure, heating and thermostat cost more than the animal. Ongoing costs are modest compared with dogs or cats.
Do I need a thermostat for a leopard gecko?
Yes. Any heat mat or heat lamp should be controlled by a thermostat to prevent overheating and burns.
How much is a leopard gecko vet visit?
Exotic vet exams commonly cost about $50 to $100 or more before diagnostics like fecal tests or X-rays. Prices vary a lot by area, so call local reptile vets ahead of time.
The Bottom Line
Budget around $500-$1,200 for year one, with most of it spent up front on a properly sized enclosure, regulated heat and lighting. After that, a leopard gecko costs roughly $20-$50 a month plus vet care, which makes it one of the more affordable reptiles to keep well.
