British Shorthair Price by Color 2025–2026 (USA Guide)

If you’ve already fallen in love with British Shorthairs, the next big question is simple: How much does each color really cost? Blue, lilac, chocolate, cinnamon… prices can jump a lot just based on the coat.

In this guide, we’ll walk through British Shorthair prices by color for 2025–2026 so you can see what’s “normal”, what’s considered rare, and when a price is honestly too good to be true.

If you haven’t seen it yet, you can also read our full British Shorthair Price Guide 2025–2026 which covers all price ranges from shelters to champion lines, and our British Shorthair Kitten Price USA guide for a closer look at kitten costs.

💡 Quick note: Prices below are general ranges based on typical offers from reputable breeders in the USA. Backyard breeders and scams can sit far outside these ranges.

Why Color Affects British Shorthair Price

You should know that British Shorthair prices don’t only depend on the breeder. Color and rarity play a huge role too.

Some colors are bred much more often (like classic blue), while others require more specific pairings and are less common in litters.

Ethical breeders also focus on healthy bloodlines, temperament and correct British Shorthair type.

If a rare color is combined with strong pedigree and careful breeding, the price usually climbs higher.

Think of color as one layer on top of everything you already saw in our British Shorthair Price Guide 2025–2026 and our kitten price guide for the USA.

British Shorthair Price Chart by Color (2025–2026)

We created a Charts price overview based on Color. Below is a quick price snapshot for pet-quality British Shorthair kittens from reputable breeders in the USA.

Show-quality or breeding-quality kittens often sit above the upper end of these ranges.

Remember, these ranges are averages. Always ask the breeder to describe exactly what is included in the price (vaccines, microchip, spay/neuter, health tests) so you can compare fairly.

Common Colors: Typical Price Ranges

Blue British Shorthair Price

The classic blue British Shorthair is the color most people imagine: plush grey-blue coat, big round eyes and teddy bear cheeks.

In the USA, a pet-quality blue British Shorthair kitten from a reputable breeder usually costs around $1,800 to $2,200+. Kittens from champion or imported lines can go higher.

Black, Red, Cream & White

Other solid colors such as black, red, cream and white often sit in a similar range to blue: typically $1,800 to $2,200+ for a healthy kitten from tested parents.

These colors are not “cheap”, but they are generally more common than rare shades like cinnamon or fawn. Your main price difference here will usually come from breeder reputation and pedigree, not only the color.

If you want to compare these ranges with other options like adoption, retired breeders or show-quality kittens, take a look at our main British Shorthair Price Guide 2025–2026.

Rare Colors: Lilac, Chocolate, Cinnamon & Fawn

Lilac British Shorthair Price

Lilac British Shorthairs have a softer, frostier coat color that many people fall in love with at first sight. Because they are less common than blue, prices are often slightly higher.

Typical lilac British Shorthair kitten prices from reputable breeders in the USA range around $2,100 to $2,500+, with show-quality or special bloodlines going above this.

Chocolate British Shorthair Price

Chocolate British Shorthairs have a rich, warm brown coat and are also less common in everyday litters.

You can expect similar pricing to lilac: roughly $2,100 to $2,500+ for pet-quality kittens.

Cinnamon & Fawn British Shorthair Price

Cinnamon and fawn British Shorthairs are usually marketed as rare or special colors. They can be harder to find, and ethical breeders will often have waiting lists.

In many cases, cinnamon or fawn kittens are priced around $2,300 to $2,700+. Again, this depends heavily on the breeder, pedigree and what is included in the price.

Just remember: rare does not automatically mean better quality. Health testing, temperament and breeder ethics are always more important than chasing the rarest possible color.

With-White & Patterned Coats

Bi-Color, Harlequin & Van (With White)

When white is added to any base color (for example a blue-and-white bi-color), many breeders add around $150–$300 on top of the usual price. This is because some patterns are harder to produce consistently and are in high demand.

Tabby, Colorpoint & Tortoiseshell

Patterned coats such as tabby, colorpoint or tortoiseshell can also influence pricing. In general, you might see ranges of $2,000 to $2,600+ for pet-quality kittens in these patterns, with high-end show lines costing more.

When you see very specific marketing terms (“ultra-rare”, “one-of-a-kind”), make sure you still check the basics: health tests, temperament and contract terms. A pattern should never distract you from the cat’s wellbeing.

Are Rare Colors Really “Worth” the Higher Price?

This is where we have to be honest. A rare color can be beautiful and special, but it does not automatically mean:

• Better health
• Better personality
• Better long-term value

What you are really paying for is a combination of:

• How often that color appears in litters
• How much demand there is from buyers
• How much work the breeder puts into selecting and maintaining that line

For most families, the most important things are health, temperament and fit with your lifestyle. If a slightly more common color gives you a wonderful, healthy companion at a fair price, that is often the better decision than stretching your budget for “rare” marketing.

Red Flags When a “Rare Color” Is Too Cheap

If you see a “rare” British Shorthair color advertised far below the typical ranges in this guide, pause and ask questions. Some red flags include:

• No health testing or proof of veterinary care.
• Refusal to show you the kittens’ living environment (even by video call).
• Pressure to send money quickly or pay by unusual methods.
• Very vague answers about pedigree, registration or parents.

A responsible breeder will always be happy to explain why their kittens are priced the way they are and provide documentation.

For a full checklist on avoiding scams and overpaying, see the “How to Find a Fair Price & Trustworthy Breeder” section in our main British Shorthair Price Guide 2025–2026.

Budgeting Beyond Color: First-Year Costs

No matter which color you choose, your British Shorthair will need the same basic care:

• Quality food and fresh litter
• Routine vet visits and vaccines
• Insurance or an emergency fund
• Cat accessories: litter box, carrier, bed, scratching posts, toys

On average, many cat parents spend $40–$80+ per month on ongoing care, and more during the first months when they are buying accessories and setting up the home.

To make this easier, we created a simple Cat Care & Wellness Planner 2026 where you can track vet visits, medications, food, behavior notes and all your cat-related expenses in one place.

If you are still shopping for the basics, you can also check our Best Cat Accessories Guide for litter boxes, carriers and starter items.

Where to Find Specific British Shorthair Colors

If you are searching for a specific color (for example lilac or cinnamon), good places to start include:

• Registered breeder directories from major cat associations.
• Breed clubs that specialize in British Shorthairs.
• Cat shows, where you can meet breeders and see their cats in person.
• Rescues and shelters that occasionally have British Shorthairs or similar mixes.

Purebred British Shorthairs in shelters are less common, but it does happen, especially for adults or retired breeder cats. If you are open to adoption, take a look at our British Cat Adoption Guide 2025 for ethical adoption tips and expectations.

If you want a deeper price breakdown by source (breeder vs rescue vs retired breeders), you can compare this article with our main price guide and kitten price article for the USA.

FAQ: British Shorthair Price by Color