How Much Does a Leopard Gecko Cost?

Leopard Gecko Pricing

Good news!  As far as exotic pets, a leopard gecko may be one of the most cost effective options.  The price of a leopard gecko is generally around $30-$50 at your local chain pet store.  Privately owned pet stores usually have competitive pricing.  Adult reptiles have more time and care invested, and may be slightly more expensive.

We’d recommend buying your gecko as young as possible.  Not only could this save you money, but allows you to form a better bond with your pet.  This gives you more opportunity to handle your pet frequently from a young age  make sure our pet is accustomed to being touched.

As reasonably priced as your standard leopard gecko is, you can step it up to the next level.  Enter the Morph. Morphs are leopard geckos bred specially for color and patterns.  Think of these as designer  lizards. 

Depending on the rarity of the morph and the color and pattern of the individual lizard, morphs can be much more expensive and run into the hundreds of dollars range.

Some morphs may be priced over $1000 dollars for ultra rare breeds, like the Black Night Leopard Gecko shown here.

You’ll typically find a wide assortment of morphs from private breeders showcasing at reptile shows or expos.  Breeders can also be found online. For example, CB Reptile (affiliate link to cbreptile.com) has a wide selection of leopard gecko morphs (and other reptiles) available for sale.

Related post: What kind of leopard gecko morph breeds are there?

Are there Other Costs to Owning a Leopard Gecko?

In addition to the gecko itself, you’ll also want to consider the total cost of ownership.  Your lizard companion will need a place to sleep, creature comforts, and food.  Below you’ll find a quick rundown of the key things you’ll need, complete with links to some example products.  Exact cost may fluctuate, so you can check the best prices using the affiliate links below.

Habitat/Tank/Cage

Price will vary depending on the size of the tank or enclosure you choose.  The good news is leopard geckos are relatively small, and are usually house in small (and cheaper) tanks than a larger pet would require.  You’re probably going to be looking at tanks in the 10-20 gallon range.  

If you want to start with a simple glass aquarium, prices can range from $30 to $100 dollars depending on the size.  For an aquarium, a lid may run in the $10 to $15 dollar range.

For cages and enclosures designed specifically for reptiles, you can expect to pay up to $200 depending on size and features.

Leopard Gecko Accessories

In addition to the enclosure itself, there are some other items you’ll definitely need:

• Light fixture and bulbs (No need for pricier UV lights) $30-50 for lights and bulbs
• Heat source – Under the tanks heat pads can be  $12-$20
• Thermometers – $5-$10
• Water & Food  Bowl – $5-$10 each
• Substrate – Reptile Carpet or sand mat – $12-15
• Hides – $10-$15
• Décor -10-20

Related Post – check out our post to learn about the best kinds of substrate (and what NOT to buy)

Food

Food is one ongoing expense, while small leopard geckos may start out eating the freeze dried insects, you’ll need to maintain a supply of live insects for your gecko.  Live mealworms and crickets can be found online and shipped to your door, though may be pricier than your local petshop. Live feeders should also be readily available at most pet stores, and are relatively inexpensive.  Factor in $5-6 per month on food.

Of course, if you’re inclined to save some money and trips to the pet store, you can breed your own.

To lean more, click the link to check out our feeding guide for leopard geckos.

How much does a leopard gecko cost to own?

All in, what is the total cost of ownership for a leopard gecko? Between the budget and more expensive options, the median cost would be several hundred dollars.

One Last Thing

As always it’s best to plan for emergencies.  Budgeting for random vet visits and unexpected expenses should the need arise is always a wise idea. 

For a comprehensive outline of everything you’d need, check out our leopard gecko setup and gear post here.