How Much Does an LDS Mission Cost? (2026 Guide)
An LDS mission costs a standardized $400 per month for U.S. and Canadian missionaries. Here is what that covers, the full-mission total, and how families pay.
A full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints costs a standardized $400 per month for missionaries from the United States and Canada, no matter where in the world they serve. Over a 24-month mission for elders that totals about $9,600, and about $7,200 for an 18-month mission for sisters. This equalized amount covers housing, food, and local transportation; personal expenses such as clothing, a bicycle, and some medical costs are paid separately.
A full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints costs a standardized $400 per month for missionaries whose home is in the United States or Canada, regardless of where they are assigned to serve. That works out to roughly $9,600 for a 24-month mission (elders) and about $7,200 for an 18-month mission (sisters). The amount is the same whether a missionary serves in expensive Tokyo or low-cost rural Mexico, because the Church equalizes the cost so that every family pays the same.
In This Article
How Much a Mission Costs Today
The equalized monthly contribution for missionaries from the U.S. and Canada is $400 per month, the same amount that has been in place since 2003. In 2019 the First Presidency announced an increase to $500 per month, scheduled to begin in July 2020, noting that the real costs of missionary work had risen for decades while the family contribution had not. When the pandemic hit, the Church put that increase on hold indefinitely, so the contribution remains $400.
The key idea behind the equalized payment is fairness. A missionary called to a high-cost country does not pay more, and a missionary called to a low-cost country does not pay less. Every family contributes the same amount, and the Church covers the difference between that contribution and what each individual mission actually costs to operate.
Note: $400/month is the figure in effect as of this writing. Always confirm the current amount on the official Missionary Finances page before budgeting.
What the $400 Covers (and What It Doesn't)
The monthly contribution is designed to cover a missionary's basic living expenses while serving. It generally includes:
Housing and apartment rent
Food and groceries
Local transportation, including public transit
Basic mission operating costs
Several costs are not covered by the equalized payment and remain the family's or missionary's responsibility:
Clothing for the mission, plus repairs and replacements
A bicycle and gear, if the mission requires one
Personal medical and dental care before and during the mission
A smartphone or device, where missionaries are permitted to use one
Travel to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) and to the mission
Smart up-front planning keeps these extras manageable. Our LDS mission packing checklist walks through exactly what to buy before departure so families aren't caught off guard.
Total Cost by Mission Length
Missionary | Length | Monthly | Approximate Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Elder (young man) | 24 months | $400 | ~$9,600 |
Sister (young woman) | 18 months | $400 | ~$7,200 |
These totals reflect only the equalized monthly contribution. Add a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars for clothing, travel, and personal expenses depending on the mission and the missionary's needs.
How Families Pay for a Mission
Most missionaries fund their missions through a combination of sources:
Personal savings. Many youth save for years from part-time jobs, gifts, and birthday money.
Family contributions. Parents, grandparents, and siblings frequently help cover the monthly amount.
Ward and stake support. Local congregations sometimes assist members who cannot fully fund a mission.
The General Missionary Fund. Donations from members worldwide help missionaries whose families cannot cover the full cost. No willing, worthy missionary is kept from serving for financial reasons.
Payments are typically made monthly through the missionary's local leaders, and donations to the missionary fund are tax-deductible in the U.S.
What About Senior Missionaries?
Senior missionaries (older couples and singles) are not on the equalized payment. Their costs vary widely by assignment and location because they generally cover their own housing and living expenses. A senior couple should plan a personalized budget with their mission and Church leaders well before they leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cost the same for every missionary?
Yes, for young missionaries from the U.S. and Canada: the equalized contribution is the same regardless of where they serve, and the Church covers the gap between that amount and the real cost of each mission. Missionaries from several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, are also on equalized programs with their own set amounts in local currency. Elsewhere, the monthly amount is worked out between the missionary, the family, and local leaders.
What happens if a family can't afford it?
No worthy young person is prevented from serving for financial reasons. Ward and stake leaders and the General Missionary Fund help bridge the gap.
Does the $400 cover travel to the mission?
No. Travel to the MTC and to the assigned mission is generally separate from the monthly contribution.
Has the amount ever changed?
Not since 2003, when it was set at $400 per month. An increase to $500 was announced in 2019 and scheduled for July 2020, but the Church put it on hold indefinitely during the pandemic. Confirm the current figure before budgeting.
Preserve the Mission You're Paying For
A mission is one of the largest investments a family will make in a young person's life, financially and emotionally. The weekly emails your missionary sends home are the record of what that investment produced. Start your missionary's keepsake book and turn 18 to 24 months of emails and photos into a hardbound book your family will keep for generations. You can also read our guide on turning missionary emails into a keepsake book.
Key takeaway: Plan on about $400 per month, or roughly $7,200 to $9,600 over a full mission, plus a few personal extras, and remember that the experience your family is funding deserves to be preserved long after the mission ends.