Used cargo pants in the US typically sell for $16 to $54. Cargos swing in and out of fashion, and genuine military surplus sits in a different market from the high-street versions.
What cargo pants are worth in the US
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | $54 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | $46 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | $35 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | $24 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | $13 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Genuine military surplus with contract markings
- All pocket flaps, buttons and drawcords present
What pulls it down
- Fraying at the pocket edges and knees
- Fading from washing rather than wear
Selling cargo pants in the US
Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.
Two practical things shape a US sale. Shipping is priced by dimensional weight as well as actual weight, so a light bulky item can cost far more to send than a heavy small one — measure the box before you quote. And meeting in person is common enough that many police departments now run designated safe-exchange areas in their car parks.
Demand rises through the spring cleaning season and again around college move-in in August, when furniture and small appliances move fastest.
Working out what yours is worth
- Check the inner label for any contract markings
- Measure waist and inseam flat
Getting it ready
- Check every pocket, its stitching and any button, popper or zip closure.
- Note the fabric weight and whether they have any stretch.
Photograph
- The side cargo pockets close up
- The waistband tag with brand and size
Put in the description
- Fabric weight and composition
- Number of pockets and whether all closures work
Brand, fit and size: “Carhartt Cargo Pants, Relaxed Fit, W34 L32”. Say whether they are wide, straight or tapered — the same nominal size fits completely differently. Workwear brands are searched by name and worth more.
Steady with a lift in spring and autumn. Workwear brands sell year round; fashion cargos follow trends closely.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the $54 a buyer pays is the $54 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in the US
The United States is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United States with their own page for cargo pants.
- Selling cargo pants in New York
- Selling cargo pants in Los Angeles
- Selling cargo pants in Chicago
- Selling cargo pants in Houston
- Selling cargo pants in Phoenix
- Selling cargo pants in Philadelphia
- Selling cargo pants in San Antonio
- Selling cargo pants in San Diego
- Selling cargo pants in Dallas
- Selling cargo pants in Austin
- Selling cargo pants in San Jose
- Selling cargo pants in Jacksonville
- Selling cargo pants in Fort Worth
- Selling cargo pants in Columbus
- Selling cargo pants in Indianapolis
- Selling cargo pants in Charlotte
- Selling cargo pants in San Francisco
- Selling cargo pants in Seattle
- Selling cargo pants in Denver
- Selling cargo pants in Washington
- Selling cargo pants in Nashville
- Selling cargo pants in Boston
- Selling cargo pants in Las Vegas
- Selling cargo pants in Portland
- Selling cargo pants in Detroit
- Selling cargo pants in Memphis
- Selling cargo pants in Louisville
- Selling cargo pants in Baltimore
- Selling cargo pants in Milwaukee
- Selling cargo pants in Albuquerque
- Selling cargo pants in Fresno
- Selling cargo pants in Tucson
- Selling cargo pants in Sacramento
- Selling cargo pants in Kansas City
- Selling cargo pants in Mesa
- Selling cargo pants in Atlanta
- Selling cargo pants in Omaha
- Selling cargo pants in Colorado Springs
- Selling cargo pants in Raleigh
- Selling cargo pants in Virginia Beach
- Selling cargo pants in Long Beach
- Selling cargo pants in Miami
- Selling cargo pants in Oakland
- Selling cargo pants in Minneapolis
- Selling cargo pants in Tulsa
- Selling cargo pants in Bakersfield
Common questions
Where can I sell cargo pants in the US?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.
How wide is the leg?
Measure across the hem and double it. Cargo fits vary hugely and this is the number that answers it.
What do buyers check on cargos?
The pockets. Missing buttons and broken drawcords are common and very visible, so confirm every closure works.
Does the cut matter?
It follows fashion closely. State the leg opening and rise measurements, since the silhouette is what buyers are choosing.
More: how to sell cargo pants, what cargo pants are worth, or Clothing across the United States.