Ethereum vs Base fees: Base is 42.5× cheaper
Live network fees on both chains for the 17 assets they have in common, refreshed every 10 minutes.
| Ethereum | Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Layer 1 | Ethereum rollup (L2) |
| Gas paid in | ETH | ETH |
| Token standard | ERC-20 | ERC-20 |
| Native transfer | $0.015 | $0.00035 |
| Token transfer | $0.046 | $0.0011 |
| DEX swap (approx.) | $0.127 | $0.0030 |
| Token transfer, 24 h range | $0.021 – $0.047 | $0.0011 – $0.0011 |
Verdict
- Token transfers: Base is 42.5× cheaper than Ethereum right now ($0.0011 vs $0.046), and cheaper for 17 of the 17 assets both networks support.
- Stablecoins: sending USDC costs $0.046 on Ethereum vs $0.0011 on Base — Base wins, provided the recipient accepts deposits on it.
- Gas token: you need ETH on Ethereum and ETH on Base — the same asset, so one balance can be bridged between them.
- Speed: blocks every ~12 s on Ethereum vs ~2 s on Base.
Cost to send each asset: Ethereum vs Base
| Asset | Ethereum | Base | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETH | $0.015 | $0.00035 | Base |
| USDC | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| USDS | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| USDE | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| WBTC | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| CBBTC | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| LINK | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| AAVE | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| ENA | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| MORPHO | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| CRV | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| SUSDE | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| EURC | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| SUSHI | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| 1INCH | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| COMP | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
| SAND | $0.046 | $0.0011 | Base |
Transfer to an address that already holds the asset. New holders can cost more (Solana token-account rent, extra TRON energy). Exchange withdrawal fees are separate.
FAQ
Is Ethereum cheaper than Base?
For a token transfer, Base is currently 42.5× cheaper ($0.0011 vs $0.046). Fees change every block; this comparison is refreshed every 10 minutes.
Can I send tokens from Ethereum to Base directly?
No. A regular transfer stays on one network. Moving assets between Ethereum and Base requires a bridge or an exchange that supports both networks, which adds its own fees.
Details: Ethereum gas fees · Base gas fees · all chains · methodology
Data updated: 2026-10-01 11:50 UTC.