How Much Does a Jumping Spider Really Cost?
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Jumping spiders, the regal jumping spider especially, are among the most affordable and space-efficient pets anyone can keep, accessible even on a tight budget.
The Spider: $15 to $60
Captive-bred spiderlings run $15 to $25. Juvenile or sub-adult females, generally more prized than males since they live considerably longer, run $25 to $60. Named regional color forms cost more than standard animals.
Telling a Female Before She Matures
The price gap is a lifespan gap, so the sex of the spider is most of what the higher price buys. The regal jumping spider is one of the few spiders that can be sexed as a youngster. Juvenile females from the more southern populations grow a cover of colored scales as early as the third instar. Males stay stark black and white for their entire lives.
At adulthood the differences sharpen:
- Males are black with a white band and white spots on the abdomen, carry alternating black and white fringes on the first pair of legs, and have enlarged, iridescent green-blue-violet chelicerae with a small bump on each.
- Females usually have the black areas covered in colored scales, less obvious chelicerae hidden behind white-haired palps, and four tufts of hair around the eyes on top of the head, which males lack.
The catch is that some females keep the male's black and white pattern. A juvenile with color is a safe female. A black and white juvenile is probably male but not certainly, so a buyer who wants a sure female pays for one with color or buys after she matures.
Choosing a Spider
Look for a plump, smooth abdomen with no wrinkling. A shriveled or shrunken one points to a spider that is hungry or dehydrated. Keep a newcomer in its own enclosure well away from any other pet invertebrates at first, the same invertebrate quarantine practice used for tarantulas and scorpions.
Upfront Setup: $80 to $210
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Small vertical, arboreal enclosure | $45 - $90 |
| Coconut fiber substrate | $10 - $40 |
| Artificial plants or mini cork bark for climbing and web anchoring | $5 - $15 |
| Fine mist spray bottle | $5 - $15 |
| Digital hygrometer | $10 - $35 |
| A shallow water dish | $5 - $15 |
| Setup total | $80 - $210 |
Typical price ranges across retailers.
Ongoing Costs: Roughly $5 to $15 a Month
Feeder insects make up nearly the entire monthly cost. Young spiders need a fruit fly culture, priced $28 to $34 for a starter combo, since prey that size is small enough for spiderlings to safely take down, while adults move on to small crickets or fly spikes.
Vet Costs
Usually none. Few exotic vets treat spiders, and most health issues in this species trace back to the enclosure environment, humidity above all. The exception is an injury, fluid leakage, or a stuck molt, where an exotic vet who sees invertebrates is still the call, so it is worth finding out before an emergency whether one near you will.
Lifespan: Short, and Worth Knowing Upfront
Males typically live only a few months after reaching maturity, while females last considerably longer. Most live one to two years in captivity, and a well-kept female can go longer. Wild spiders live shorter lives, because predation, gaps between meals, and extreme weather all take their toll.
The Honest Value Proposition
If low cost, low space, and a short commitment appeal to you, this is close to the ideal pet on paper. The tradeoff is accepting that short lifespan from the start. A tarantula costs a similar amount to set up and can outlive a jumping spider by more than a decade, which makes the two a choice about commitment more than money.
Sources & Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a jumping spider cost?
$15 to $60. Captive-bred spiderlings run $15 to $25, while juvenile or sub-adult females, generally more prized since they live considerably longer than males, run $25 to $60. The size gap is small, an adult female averaging 15 mm to a male's 12 mm; what you are paying for is the lifespan. Named regional color forms cost more than standard animals.
What does a complete jumping spider setup cost upfront?
Roughly $80 to $210, covering a small vertical arboreal enclosure, coconut fiber substrate, artificial plants or cork bark for climbing, a fine mister, a digital hygrometer and a shallow water dish. The enclosure is most of it.
What are the ongoing monthly costs of keeping a jumping spider?
About $5 to $15 a month, almost entirely feeder insects, fruit fly cultures for young spiders, and small crickets or fly spikes for adults.
Do jumping spiders need vet care?
Rarely. Most problems in this species trace to humidity, water, or enclosure setup and are fixed there. An injury, fluid leakage, or a stuck molt is the exception that warrants a vet, and since few will see a spider, know which one near you does before you need it.
How long does a jumping spider live, and how does that affect budgeting?
Males usually last only a few months past maturity, while females live considerably longer. Plan on one to two years in captivity, a little more for a well-kept female, which keeps the total cost of ownership small and the commitment short.
More on the Jumping Spider
Jumping Spider care guide
🕷️ How to Handle a Jumping Spider (And Why Its Eyesight Matters)
🕷️ Common Jumping Spider Health Issues
🕷️ Jumping Spider Enclosure Setup: Small, Simple, and All About Humidity
🕷️ Jumping Spider Feeding: Schedule, Diet, and Why They Stop Eating
🕷️ Jumping Spider Enrichment: They Can Recognize Individuals
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Written by Michael Ryan
Mike keeps two rescued bearded dragons, Dex and Cera, and writes the care guides on BeastlyFacts from his own research and mistakes. He is not a veterinarian.
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