2026 · Marlboro cartons · 10 packs = 200 cigarettes

How much is a carton of Marlboro cigarettes?

Marlboro is the #1 selling cigarette brand in America (Philip Morris International). A Marlboro carton costs from $53.66 in Missouri to $132.35 in New York. US average: $101.25. Marlboro typically costs 2–5% more than the average cigarette price in each state.

Why Marlboro costs what it costs

Federal tax, state tax, and the manufacturer premium.

Marlboro sells at a small premium over the state average. Most of the price is tax.

A Marlboro carton at the US national average breaks down roughly as follows: federal excise tax of $1.01 per pack ($10.10 per carton) + state excise tax (averages $2.05/pack nationally, or $20.50 per carton) + state sales tax + manufacturer + distributor + retailer markup. Marlboro's manufacturer premium is small (2–5%) compared to budget brands; the tax component is what drives the state-to-state spread.

Marlboro variants

The six Marlboro varieties with distinct carton prices.

Of the 30+ Marlboro varieties sold in the US, six have meaningfully different carton prices. The rest price identically to one of these six.

Variant	Carton (US avg)	Note
Marlboro Red (Full Flavor)	$101.25	Baseline. All other varieties priced relative to Red.
Marlboro Gold (formerly Lights)	$101.25	Same product since the 2010 FDA branding change. Same price as Red.
Marlboro Menthol	$101.25	Full-flavor menthol. Same price tier as Red.
Marlboro Black	$103.25	Bold flavor line. +$0.20/pack premium.
Marlboro NXT (capsule)	$102.25	Menthol or flavor capsule technology. Slight premium.
Marlboro Special Select (value)	$99.25	Value line. $0.20–0.50 less per pack than Red.

State price spread

The 5 cheapest and 5 most expensive states for Marlboro cartons.

State excise tax creates a roughly $50 spread between the cheapest and most expensive Marlboro cartons.

Cheapest Marlboro cartons

Most expensive Marlboro cartons

Walmart vs convenience store

Where you buy changes the price.

Walmart and Sam's Club typically undercut gas stations by $2–5 per carton. The exact price varies by store and state.

Walmart does not publish cigarette prices online. The most reliable way to find the exact Marlboro carton price at your local Walmart is to call the store's tobacco counter and ask for the current carton price of Marlboro Reds (or your preferred variety). Walmart is generally the cheapest big-box retailer; Sam's Club follows the same pricing pattern and requires a membership.

Gas stations and convenience stores charge the highest prices, often $3–6 per carton above Walmart. If you live near a state border, the carton prices by state page can help you find whether crossing into a lower-tax state saves you enough to justify the trip.

FDA menthol status

What the proposed menthol ban could mean for Marlboro Menthol.

The April 2022 proposed rule has been delayed multiple times. It is not yet final.

In April 2022, the FDA proposed a product standard that would ban menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes. The rule has been delayed multiple times and remains under review as of mid-2026. If enacted, Marlboro Menthol would be affected; Marlboro Red (non-menthol) would remain available. The current status is tracked at FDA.gov; we update this page when the rule is finalized or withdrawn.

Your questions, answered

Marlboro carton FAQ.

Eight of the most common Marlboro carton questions.

Frequently asked questions

A carton of Marlboro cigarettes costs from $53.66 (cheapest state) to $132.35 (most expensive state). The US national average Marlboro carton is approximately $101.25. Each carton has 10 packs (200 cigarettes).

A carton of Marlboro cigarettes costs the same as a carton of any other premium brand of cigarettes — about $101.25 at the US national average. State prices range from $53.66 to $132.35.

Marlboro Red carton prices range from $53.66 (Missouri) to $132.35 (New York). US average: ~$101.25. Marlboro Red is Philip Morris International's flagship product; other Marlboro varieties are priced above or below it.

Walmart does not publish cigarette prices online. The most reliable way to find Marlboro Red carton prices at your local Walmart is to call the store's tobacco counter and ask for the current carton price of Marlboro Reds. Sam's Club (a Walmart company) follows a similar pattern. Walmart is typically the cheapest big-box retailer, often $2–5 below gas stations and convenience stores.

Marlboro Lights (sold as Marlboro Gold since 2010) cartons cost the same as Marlboro Red — approximately $101.25 at the US national average. The product inside is the same; only the packaging label changed under an FDA-mandated rebranding. Marlboro Gold 100s adds about $1–3 per carton; Gold Label sits at the same price as Red.

Marlboro Menthol cartons cost approximately $101.25 at the US average — the same price tier as Marlboro Red. Marlboro Menthol 100s adds about $1–3 per carton. Note: the FDA proposed a rule to ban menthol cigarettes in April 2022. That proposal has been delayed multiple times and remains under review; check FDA.gov for the current status.

Marlboro Black cartons typically cost $0.10–0.30 more per pack than Marlboro Red — approximately $103.25 per carton at the US average. Marlboro Black 100s adds another $1 per carton. Black Menthol sits at the same price as Black Red. At Walmart, expect $95.30 or so.

Missouri has the cheapest cigarettes in the US. A Marlboro carton in Missouri costs approximately $53.66 — the lowest in the nation. Missouri's state tobacco tax is just $0.17/pack, the lowest of all 50 states. At Walmart in Missouri: ~$49.49.

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Cigarette Prices by State

2026 state-by-state pack prices — see your state tax and cost.

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