An errand service costs $15 to $125 per errand or hour in 2026
An errand service costs $15 to $125 per errand or hour in 2026. HomeAdvisor says the average is $30 an hour, with a range of $15 to $100 an hour. TaskRabbit lists an average starting rate of $28 an hour and flat prices by task. The kind of errand, the wait time, and your city move the price. Care.com lists $22.71 to $29.23 an hour in Frisco, Texas.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| TaskRabbit | TaskRabbit says errand running starts at an average of $28 an hour, most states fall between $25 and $35.50 an hour, grocery shopping is $30 to $60, grocery pickup is $20 to $50, store returns are $20 to $40, prescription pickup is $25 to $45, dry cleaning is $15 to $40, mailing packages is $20 to $45, and waiting in line is $30 to $125; it lists Seattle at $40 an hour. |
| HomeAdvisor | HomeAdvisor says an errand service costs $30 an hour on average, from $15 an hour to $100 an hour. |
| Care.com | Care.com lists errand runners in Frisco, Texas at an average starting rate of $22.71 an hour and $29.23 an hour at the high end, about $908 for a 40 hour week. |
Errand service cost by task and rate
| Task or rate | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dry cleaning drop off or pickup | $15 to $40 | TaskRabbit |
| Store returns | $20 to $40 | TaskRabbit |
| Grocery pickup | $20 to $50 | TaskRabbit |
| Prescription pickup | $25 to $45 | TaskRabbit |
| Grocery shopping | $30 to $60 | TaskRabbit |
| Waiting in line | $30 to $125 | TaskRabbit |
| Average hourly rate | $28 an hour | TaskRabbit |
| Hourly range | $15 to $100 an hour | HomeAdvisor |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type of errand | A simple drop-off costs less than a long shop. TaskRabbit lists dry cleaning at $15 to $40 and grocery shopping at $30 to $60. |
| Time spent | Most runners bill by the hour. TaskRabbit lists an average of $28 an hour, and HomeAdvisor lists an average of $30 an hour. |
| Waiting time | Long waits add cost. TaskRabbit lists waiting in line at $30 to $125, which is high because the runner cannot take other work. |
| Where you live | Rates change by city. Care.com lists errand runners in Frisco, Texas at $22.71 to $29.23 an hour, and TaskRabbit lists $40 an hour in Seattle. |
| Who you hire | An app, an agency, and a solo helper price differently. HomeAdvisor lists a full range of $15 to $100 an hour. |
What the price includes
The price usually covers the time the runner spends on your task, plus the drive. Some bill a flat price per errand, and some bill by the hour. Gas, parking, and the cost of the items you buy are often extra. Ask if there is a minimum number of hours and whether the runner needs money in advance. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Errand help comes from apps, agencies, and solo helpers. Most bill by the hour, and some post a flat price for each task. Apps may add a service fee. TaskRabbit lists an average of $28 an hour, and HomeAdvisor lists $30. Many ask you to pay the cost of items up front or to use a card for purchases. Gas and parking can be billed on top. Care.com lists $908 for a 40 hour week in Frisco, Texas, so a long job may cost more by the day than a few short ones. Ask for the full price in writing.
When you need this
An errand service helps when you are sick, busy, or cannot drive. It also helps older adults, new parents, and people who work long days. Common jobs are grocery runs, returns, mail, prescription pickup, and dry cleaning. If you only need one small task, a flat price may cost less than an hourly rate.
How to judge your quote
- Is the price per errand or per hour, and is there a minimum?
- Are gas, parking, and the cost of items billed on top?
- Does the runner need money in advance, and how do you get a receipt?
- Is the runner insured, and what happens if an item is lost?
- Compare the total with the range above: $15 to $125 per errand or hour for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Bundle errands into one trip. One runner doing three stops in an hour costs less than three separate bookings.
- Choose flat price tasks when you can. TaskRabbit lists store returns at $20 to $40 and prescription pickup at $25 to $45.
- Avoid waiting jobs when you can. TaskRabbit lists waiting in line at $30 to $125, so book a time slot or online pickup instead.
- Compare an app, an agency, and a solo helper. HomeAdvisor lists $15 to $100 an hour, so rates can differ a lot.
- Give clear steps and photos. A runner who knows exactly what to buy or drop off finishes faster, and you pay for less time.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from TaskRabbit, HomeAdvisor and Care.com. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does an errand service cost per hour?
HomeAdvisor says $30 an hour on average, with a range of $15 to $100. TaskRabbit lists an average starting rate of $28.
How much does a single errand cost?
TaskRabbit lists flat prices of $15 to $60 for most simple tasks. Waiting in line is $30 to $125.
How much is grocery shopping for me?
TaskRabbit lists grocery shopping at $30 to $60 and grocery pickup at $20 to $50. Food costs are extra.
Do prices change by city?
Yes. TaskRabbit lists $40 an hour in Seattle, and Care.com lists $22.71 to $29.23 an hour in Frisco, Texas.
Do I pay for gas and parking?
Often yes. Ask before you book, since quotes may list time only. Get any extra costs in writing.