ATM fees hit record high again; see the worst cities
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New data reveals that accessing money from a checking or savings account keeps getting more expensive if using an out-of network ATM.
When a consumer uses an ATM that’s not in their bank’s network, there are two charges that can result. The ATM owner may impose a surcharge, while the consumer’s own bank may also charge an out-of-network ATM fee.
Bankrate conducted the study among 10 banks in each of the 25 largest U.S. markets between June and July 2025.
ATM fees climb
By the numbers:
The data found that the average total ATM fees continued their climb to $4.77 this year, reflecting an increase from $4.73 last year and the highest annual amount since Bankrate began tracking ATM fees in 1998.
A banking customer withdraws money from a ATM machine in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
This includes the average surcharge of $3.19 levied by ATM-operating banks, plus the average charge of $1.58 from one’s own bank for using an out-of-network ATM.
According to Bankrate, other bank fees are also on the rise, including overdraft fees, with the average having climbed this year to $27.08, up from $26.61 in 2023.
What they're saying:
"If you make an out-of-network ATM withdrawal, expect to pay, and pay more than ever before," Greg McBride, the Bankrate chief financial analyst, said in a statement. "Fees have increased again and you’ll typically pay two fees — one to the ATM owner and another to your own bank."
Atlanta has highest ATM fees
Dig deeper:
The study also found that Atlanta was the metropolitan area with the highest ATM fees of $5.33.
Atlanta also saw the highest average combined fees in 2023 and 2022, of $5.33 and $5.38, respectively.
Meanwhile, the metro areas of San Diego and Phoenix were tied in 2024 for the second-highest average combined ATM fee, of $5.22.
Of the 25 metro areas Bankrate surveyed, the places with the lowest average combined ATM fees were Boston ($4.16), Seattle ($4.34) and Philadelphia ($4.42).
Cities with highest ATM fees
- Atlanta
- San Diego
- Phoenix
- Detroit
- Cleveland
- Pittsburgh
- Tampa
- Milwaukee
- Houston
- San Francisco
Free checking accounts still highly accessible
The other side:
Despite these findings, the data also revealed that free checking accounts are still highly accessible.
Nearly half of non-interest checking accounts (47%) charged no service fee, while another 46% waived the fee for those who set up regular direct deposit.
Bankrate suggests taking out cash without having to pay for it by only using ATMs in your bank’s network, choosing a bank that reimburses ATM fees, or requesting cash when making debit card purchases.
What they're saying:
"As ATMs become less frequently used, associated fees are likely to rise. Consumers can most easily avoid these fees by banking with institutions offering wide ATM networks or reimbursing out-of-network ATM charges," Stephen Kates, a financial analyst at Bankrate, said in a statement. "An increasing number of online banks and brokerages now reimburse ATM fees, regardless of the machine used."
The Source: The information for this story was provided by Bankrate which conducted the survey among a total of 10 banks and thrifts in each of 25 large U.S. markets; one interest and one non-interest checking account, as well as their associated ATM fee policies, were surveyed from 245 financial institutions offering consumer checking accounts; 228 interest checking accounts and 221 non-interest checking accounts were surveyed between June 2 and July 3, 2025. This story was reported from Los Angeles.