Gold IRA Minimum Investment by Company (2026)
The gold IRA minimum investment is set by each company, not by the IRS. Among the companies we track it runs from $5,000 at Birch Gold Group to $50,000 at Augusta Precious Metals, with American Hartford Gold at $10,000, Noble Gold Investments at $20,000 and Goldco at about $25,000. The minimum is only the entry ticket. What matters more is what flat yearly fees take from a balance of that size, and this page shows the math.
Gold IRA minimum investment: company comparison
Figures are from each company's own pages, checked in late October and November 2026. Listed from lowest minimum to highest.
| Company | Gold IRA minimum | Cash purchase minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Gold Group | $5,000 | Ask | CNBC Select listed $10,000 in September 2026; confirm on your call |
| American Hartford Gold | $10,000 | $5,000 | Account fees are not published |
| Noble Gold Investments | $20,000 | Ask | All four metals |
| Goldco | Generally $25,000 | Ask | Bonus silver offer starts at $50,000 |
| Augusta Precious Metals | $50,000 | $50,000 | Gold and silver only |
| Advantage Gold | Not published | Not published | Ask before you share account details |
Minimums change and sales teams sometimes have room to move, so confirm the number on your first call and ask for it in writing.
Sources: Birch Gold, FAQs; American Hartford Gold, Gold IRA FAQs; Noble Gold, Gold IRA; Goldco, Gold IRA FAQs; Augusta Precious Metals, FAQ.
Is there an IRS minimum for a gold IRA?
No. The IRS sets no minimum balance for any IRA, including one that holds gold. What the IRS limits is how much new money you can add each year. For 2026 that is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older.
That limit explains how these accounts are usually funded. Nobody reaches a $25,000 or $50,000 minimum from one year of contributions. The money comes from savings you already have: a direct transfer from another IRA, or a rollover from a 401(k), 403(b), TSP or similar plan. Transfers and rollovers do not count toward the yearly contribution limit.
If you are moving existing savings, the method matters more than the amount. A direct transfer or direct rollover avoids withholding and the 60-day deadline. See our gold IRA transfer and gold IRA rollover guides.
Sources: IRS, 2026 contribution limits; IRS, Rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions.
What fees take from a small gold IRA
Gold IRA account fees are mostly flat. Birch Gold Group, for example, lists $125 a year for account management and $110 a year for storage and insurance, $235 in total, whether the account holds $5,000 or $500,000. Here is what that flat $235 means at different balances:
| Account balance | Yearly fees | Share of balance |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $235 | 4.7% a year |
| $10,000 | $235 | 2.35% a year |
| $25,000 | $235 | 0.94% a year |
| $50,000 | $235 | 0.47% a year |
| $100,000 | $235 | 0.24% a year |
Why this matters: gold pays no interest or dividends, so the fees come straight out of the balance. At $5,000, the metal has to rise 4.7% a year just to cover account fees. At $50,000 the same fees are under half a percent.
The dealer premium on the metal comes on top of this at any balance. A 5% premium on $10,000 is $500.
This is the honest case for a higher minimum, and the reason a low minimum is not automatically the better deal. It is also why we would think twice about any gold IRA under about $10,000.
Calculations are ours, from Birch Gold's published fees. Full cost breakdown: gold IRA fees.
Which gold IRA company fits your amount
- $5,000 to $10,000: Birch Gold Group is the only company here that says it starts this low. Check the fee math above first.
- $10,000 to $20,000: Birch Gold Group or American Hartford Gold. American Hartford Gold does not publish its account fees and had the most BBB complaints in our gold IRA complaints comparison, so get everything in writing.
- $20,000 to $50,000: Noble Gold Investments and Goldco join the list. See Goldco vs Birch Gold for a head-to-head.
- $50,000 or more: every company is open to you, including Augusta Precious Metals.
Sources: Augusta Precious Metals, FAQ. More: Augusta fees and minimum; under $50,000, see Augusta alternatives; all six companies in Best Gold IRA Companies of 2026.
Gold IRA minimum investment: frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for a gold IRA?
There is no minimum set by the IRS. Each dealer sets its own. Among the companies we track, minimums run from $5,000 at Birch Gold Group to $50,000 at Augusta Precious Metals, with American Hartford Gold at $10,000, Noble Gold Investments at $20,000 and Goldco at about $25,000.
Can I start a gold IRA with $5,000?
Yes, some companies accept it. Birch Gold Group says its minimum is $5,000. Keep in mind that flat yearly fees of about $235 equal 4.7% of a $5,000 balance each year, before any dealer premium on the metal.
Can I open a gold IRA with $1,000?
Not with the companies we track, whose minimums start at $5,000. The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 at age 50 and over, so most people reach a dealer minimum by transferring or rolling over existing retirement savings.
Why do gold IRA companies have minimums?
Account costs are mostly flat. Custodian and storage fees run about $200 to $300 a year no matter the balance. On a small balance those costs take a large share, which is why a floor makes sense for both sides.
Does a rollover count toward the IRA contribution limit?
No. The yearly contribution limit applies to new money. A direct transfer from another IRA or a rollover from a 401(k) or similar plan does not count toward it, which is how accounts reach $25,000 or $50,000 in one step.
What is the Augusta Precious Metals minimum investment?
Augusta Precious Metals requires $50,000, for an IRA or a cash purchase. It lists $285 in third-party fees in the first year and $235 a year after that.
Match the company to your amount, then get it in writing
Confirm the minimum, every account fee and the price per coin next to the spot price before you move money. If you are moving $50,000 or more, Augusta's free kit covers its fees and process.
Get Augusta's Free Gold IRA Info KitFor balances of $50,000 or more.
Or read our full Augusta Precious Metals review