How Much Does It Cost to Start Beekeeping?

"How much does beekeeping cost?" is usually the first practical question aspiring beekeepers ask. The honest answer: it depends on your choices—but I'll give you exact numbers so you can budget properly.

The biggest variable is whether you start with one hive or two. While one hive is cheaper upfront, we strongly recommend starting with two. The economics and survival odds both favor it.

One Hive: First-Year Costs

If you're committed to starting with a single hive, here's what you'll spend:

*Budget hive stand = cinder blocks you already have

Two Hives: The Recommended Setup

Two hives cost about 50% more than one—not double—because you share protective gear, tools, and education costs. Here's why two is worth it:

Line-by-Line Breakdown

Let's look at each expense in detail so you know exactly what you're paying for:

🏠 The Hive: $150-$350 each

A complete Langstroth hive setup includes:

• Bottom board (solid or screened) — $15-30
• 2 deep hive bodies — $25-45 each
• 20 frames with foundation — $40-80 total
• Inner cover — $10-20
• Telescoping outer cover — $20-40
• Entrance reducer — $3-8

Budget option: Buy an unassembled kit and build it yourself. Unassembled hive kits run $120-180.

Premium option: Pre-assembled, painted, cedar construction. More durable but costs $300+.

🐝 The Bees: $150-$290 each

• Package bees: $140-200 — Cheaper but ~38% first-year survival
• Nucleus colony (nuc): $175-290 — Better investment with ~77% survival
• Overwintered local nuc: $225-290 — Best option if available

See our complete guide: Packages vs Nucs vs Swarms

🧥 Protective Gear: $80-$200

• Budget: Jacket with attached veil ($50-80) + basic gloves ($15-25)
• Mid-range: Full ventilated suit ($100-150) + leather gloves ($25-40)
• Premium: Ultra-breeze style ventilated suit ($180-250) + premium gloves

A full suit provides better protection, especially for nervous beginners. Ventilated suits are worth it if you're in a hot climate.

🔧 Tools: $35-$70

• Smoker: $25-50 — Stainless steel with heat shield lasts longer
• Hive tool: $8-15 — Standard or J-hook style, your preference
• Bee brush: $8-12 — Optional but handy

🍯 Feeder: $15-$40 each

• Entrance feeder: $8-15 — Cheap but prone to robbing
• Top feeder: $20-35 — Holds more, less robbing
• Frame feeder: $12-20 — Goes inside hive, bees can drown

We recommend a top feeder for ease of use.

🧪 Mite Treatments: $25-$50 per hive/year

Varroa mites will kill your bees if untreated. Budget for:

• Oxalic acid: $15-25 (multiple treatments)
• Formic acid (Formic Pro): $25-35 for 2-hive treatment
• Apivar strips: $40-50 per treatment
• Testing supplies: Alcohol wash cup or sugar roll kit ($10-20)

See our guide: Best Varroa Treatments Compared

Ongoing Annual Costs (Year 2+)

After the initial investment, here's what you'll spend annually per hive:

Good news: If you expand through splits rather than buying bees, your annual costs stay relatively flat as you grow.

Where to Save Money

Where NOT to Skimp

Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions

• Replacement bees: If your colony dies (40-60% chance in year one), you'll spend $150-290 again in spring.
• Additional equipment: Once hooked, you'll want more boxes, tools, and gadgets. It adds up.
• Time: Your time has value. Expect 100+ hours in year one for 1-2 hives.
• Gas/travel: Trips to pick up bees, attend meetings, buy supplies.
• Honey processing: Bottles, labels, strainers if you sell or gift honey.
• Medical costs: Rare, but severe sting reactions require EpiPen ($300+) and possibly ER visit.

Will You Break Even?

Let's be honest: hobby beekeeping is not profitable. Here's the math:

Reality check: Year one, you probably won't harvest. Year two, maybe 20-30 lbs. And that's if your bees survive, which they might not.

Don't start beekeeping to make money. Start because you're fascinated by bees, want pollination, love the idea of your own honey, or find joy in the practice. The economics only work at scale (100+ hives) or with value-added products (selling nucs, queens, beeswax goods).

Bottom Line

Our advice: Budget $1,200-1,500 for a proper 2-hive setup with quality bees and equipment. It's a meaningful investment, but it sets you up for success rather than frustration.