You can get cheap (or even free) boxes from a mix of big retailers, local spots, and online communities that regularly give them away.

Where to Get Cheap Boxes

Quick Scoop

If you just want fast, practical ideas, start with grocery/liquor stores, big-box retailers (Home Depot, Walmart), and online networks like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for free moving boxes. For bulk or business shipping, look at dedicated packaging suppliers and Amazon-style multi‑packs to get the lowest per‑box price.

Totally Free Box Sources

• Local grocery & liquor stores: They get deliveries in sturdy boxes and often break them down at night, so you can ask staff if they have extras you can take for free. Liquor boxes are especially strong and good for books or fragile items.
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• Retail shops & pharmacies: Places like dollar stores, discount clothing shops, and pharmacies constantly unload inventory and usually recycle boxes; many will happily let you take them if you ask a manager first. Go earlier in the day before they compact or toss them.
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• Online community boards: People commonly offer free “moving boxes” on Craigslist’s free section, Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, and local community forums right after a move. You can also post a “wanted: moving boxes” note and let the boxes come to you.
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• Schools, libraries, offices: End-of-term or big delivery times mean lots of boxes from books and supplies. Ask the front desk or admin; they often have neat, uniform boxes that stack well.
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• Yard sales & garage clear‑outs: Sellers frequently want to get rid of the boxes they used to move items out and will give them to you at the end of the day. This can be a good way to grab a mixed batch quickly.
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Many people finish a move, stare at a tower of boxes, and just want them gone. You’re doing them a favor by picking them up.

Cheap Retail & Online Options

When you need predictable sizes or cleaner boxes, paying a small amount per box can still be very cheap overall.

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Source	What You Get	Typical Cost	Best For
Home improvement stores (e.g., Home Depot)	Standard small, medium, large moving boxes in single units or multi‑packs	Small around $1 each, medium around $1.44, large around $3, extra‑large around $2.48 per box	Household moves where you want uniform, stackable boxes
Big retailers (e.g., Walmart)	Bulk packs of moving boxes and kits, often with tape and markers included	Multi‑packs often around $2–$3 per box depending on size and quantity	Saving money by buying a kit instead of single boxes
Amazon-style online shops	Multi‑packs of moving boxes and moving kits (sometimes 20–30 boxes plus tape and marker)	Examples include kits around $45–$80 for 20–30 boxes, bringing per‑box cost down near $2	Quick delivery and not having to hunt locally
Moving brands (U‑Haul, PODS, etc.)	Moving box kits sized for apartments/homes or for specific container sizes	Economy kits designed to keep per‑box prices low (often similar to big‑box retail)	All‑in‑one solutions when you’re already renting a truck or container
Specialty packaging suppliers	Bulk corrugated shipping boxes, mailers, and “box bargain” sections	Discounted rates in large quantities; better for business shipping than one‑time moves	Small businesses that ship products regularly

• Regular moving boxes typically run around $1–$3.75 each depending on size, while specialty boxes (wardrobe, TV) can be $10–$25 each.
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• Economy moving kits bundle 20–30 boxes plus tape/marker, often bringing the cost per box down to roughly $2.
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Cheap Boxes for Business & Shipping

If you’re shipping products (like Etsy or small e‑commerce), you may want inexpensive but decent‑looking boxes.

• Bulk shipping suppliers: Dedicated packaging sites offer “box bargain” sections and bulk corrugated boxes, tape, and fillers aimed at keeping per‑unit costs low. Buying larger quantities spreads out shipping and reduces the per‑box price.
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• Office supply & warehouse clubs: Stores that sell business supplies often stock mailers and boxes in bulk packs with volume discounts. This works well once you know your common shipping sizes.
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• Simple customization tricks: Many sellers use plain cheap boxes and add a rubber stamp logo or sticker so it feels branded without paying for custom printing. This lets you buy whatever box is cheapest, then dress it up.
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How to Pay the Least Overall

1. Combine free and paid: Use free boxes from stores and community boards for non‑fragile, lighter items, then buy a smaller batch of strong boxes for heavier or valuable things. This mix keeps costs low but protects what matters.
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2. Prioritize strong boxes for heavy stuff: Books, electronics, and dishes should go in sturdy small/medium boxes (often under $2–$3 each), because replacing broken items is far more expensive than a few good boxes. Lightweight items like clothes can ride in free, slightly worn boxes.
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3. Plan box counts before you buy: Rough estimates (like 60–80 boxes for a medium‑sized move) help you decide whether a pre‑made kit or loose boxes will be cheaper overall. Buying too many boxes wastes money; buying too few leads to more last‑minute full‑price runs.
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4. Reuse and pass them on: After your move, resell or give away your boxes; in many areas, people will happily pick them up if you list them online. That effectively lowers your net cost toward zero.
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Mini example scenario

Imagine you’re moving a one‑bedroom place this spring. You grab 20 free boxes from a grocery store and friends, then buy a 20‑box kit online for around $45 (about $2.25 per box) to cover heavier items and anything fragile. Your whole move uses about 40 boxes, and you’ve only paid for half of them, while still getting reliable, stackable ones where it counts.

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Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.