PO Box vs Street Address: Which Should You Use?
Deciding between a PO Box and your street address for mail? This guide compares both options across privacy, cost, package delivery, and common use cases for personal and business mail.
Quick Answer
- Use a PO Box if: You want privacy, secure mail storage, run a home business, or have unreliable home delivery
- Use your street address if: You receive lots of packages (UPS/FedEx), need a legal address, or don't want the extra cost
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | PO Box | Street Address |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | ✓ High — hides home address | ✗ Low — exposes location |
| Security | ✓ Locked box at post office | ~ Depends on your mailbox |
| Cost | $20-400+/year | ✓ Free |
| USPS Mail | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| UPS/FedEx | ✗ No direct delivery | ✓ Yes |
| Amazon | ~ USPS shipments only | ✓ All carriers |
| Legal Address | ✗ Not for residence | ✓ Yes |
| 24/7 Access | ~ Some locations | ✓ Yes |
PO Box: Pros and Cons
Advantages
- ✓ Privacy — Keeps home address private
- ✓ Security — Locked box, no porch pirates
- ✓ Consistent — Address doesn't change when you move
- ✓ Professional — Better for home businesses
- ✓ Earlier pickup — Mail available as soon as sorted
- ✓ Lower theft risk — Mail kept in a locked box at the post office
Disadvantages
- ✗ No UPS/FedEx — Major carriers can't deliver
- ✗ Costs money — $20-400+ per year
- ✗ Must pick up — Trip to post office required
- ✗ Limited hours — Some locations close early
- ✗ Not legal address — Can't use for licenses/voting
- ✗ Size limits — Large packages may not fit
Street Address: Pros and Cons
Advantages
- ✓ Free — No additional cost
- ✓ All carriers — USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon
- ✓ Convenient — Mail comes to you
- ✓ Legal address — Valid for all documents
- ✓ Large packages — No size restrictions
- ✓ Convenient access — Check mail anytime at home
Disadvantages
- ✗ No privacy — Home address exposed
- ✗ Theft risk — Packages left on porch
- ✗ Mail theft — Unlocked mailboxes vulnerable
- ✗ Changes when moving — Must update everywhere
- ✗ Delivery times vary — Depends on route
- ✗ Weather exposure — Mail can get wet/damaged
Best Use Cases
Use a PO Box For:
- • Home-based businesses — Professional address without exposing home
- • Online sellers — Return address that protects privacy
- • Privacy-conscious individuals — Keep home address off records
- • Rural areas — If home delivery is unreliable
- • Frequent movers — Keep one address consistent
- • High-theft areas — Secure alternative to home mailbox
- • Side hustles — Separate business from personal mail
Stick With Street Address For:
- • Heavy Amazon shoppers — Needs all carrier options
- • Work from home — When packages are regular
- • Official documents — Driver's license, voting, court
- • Large package receivers — Furniture, equipment, etc.
- • Budget-conscious — No extra expense
- • Good neighborhood — Low theft risk
Street Addressing: Best of Both Worlds?
Some post offices offer Street Addressing (also called "Premium PO Box" or "Plus" service), which gives your PO Box a street address format:
Instead of: PO Box 123
You use: 456 Main St #123 (the post office address)
Benefits of Street Addressing:
- • Looks like a street address to senders
- • USPS packages delivered to post office
- • Works with some online forms that reject "PO Box"
Learn more about how to address a PO Box correctly with either format.
Note: Street Addressing still doesn't accept UPS or FedEx. Those carriers don't deliver to post offices. It only helps with forms that reject PO Box format.
For Businesses: Which Should You Use?
Home-Based Business
Recommendation: PO Box
A PO Box provides a professional mailing address, keeps your home address private from customers, and separates business mail from personal mail. Essential for any business operating from home. See our guide on PO Box costs for current pricing.
Physical Storefront/Office
Recommendation: Street Address
Use your business location's street address. Customers and vendors expect to find you there, and you can receive all carrier shipments. A PO Box is unnecessary unless you want a backup address.
E-commerce / Online Seller
Recommendation: PO Box + Street Address
Use a PO Box for your return address (privacy) but keep a street address available for inventory deliveries from all carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a PO Box and a street address?
A PO Box is a lockable mailbox at a post office, while a street address is your physical location. PO Boxes offer privacy and security but cannot receive UPS/FedEx packages. Street addresses receive all mail and packages but expose your physical location.
Can UPS and FedEx deliver to a PO Box?
No, UPS and FedEx cannot deliver directly to PO Boxes. However, you can use Street Addressing at participating post offices, which gives you a street address format for your PO Box that accepts USPS packages delivered to the post office.
Is a PO Box worth it for a small business?
Yes, for home-based businesses, a PO Box separates business and personal mail, provides a professional address, and protects your home address privacy. Costs range from $20-400+ per year depending on size and location.
Can I use a PO Box as my legal address?
A PO Box cannot be your legal residence address for driver's licenses, voter registration, or most official documents. However, many businesses can use a PO Box for their mailing address while listing a physical address for their legal/registered address.
Is it better to use a PO Box or home address for my small business?
For home-based businesses, a PO Box is generally the better choice because it keeps your home address private, looks more professional on business cards and invoices, and separates business mail from personal mail. Use your home address only if you need to receive packages from all carriers including UPS and FedEx.
Need to Send Important Mail?
Whether you're using a PO Box or street address, Certified Mail provides tracking and proof of delivery or attempted delivery to any address type.