ktzmoh and chw57 ... USMS is an annual, flat fee, which varies from region to region. The national membership cost for Pacific region (which includes NCal and NW Nevada) is $52/year. Beyond that cost, which covers your membership nationally and allows you to enter USMS sanctioned events without paying the one-time membership fee, each individual club (use the USMS club finder at www.usms.org/placswim/?utm_campaign=top_nav&utm_medium=local_programs) may charge monthly, annually, weekly, or whatever works for them - some don't charge at all, they're included in a gym membership (CalFit does this).
interesting. The one I was looking at would be like $350 for the year, and I didn't see a lower option. That's why I haven't done it yet. I may look around to see if I can find anything else around