The total cost of car ownership in 2022 | MoneyUnder30 (2024)

A car costs way more than just the price you pay to drive it off the lot. When you consider all seven (yes, seven) costs of car ownership, the true cost of owning a car (gas or EV) comes to around $940 a month. Here’s how to save on all seven.

There comes a point in every young professional’s life when you realize:Hey. I work hard and earn good money. I can afford a nice car, right?

So you crunch some numbers and realize:Holy moly! I can afford a nice car!

But then you remember that the monthly payment is just the beginning. There’s also insurance, oil changes, parking passes, tires, windshield wipers, and more to consider when budgeting for a car purchase.

That’s not to say you can’t afford a nice car — we just want to eliminate any surprises and ensure you stay on budget while driving your new whip into the sunset.

The total cost of car ownership in 2022 | MoneyUnder30 (1)

My reaction when I realize I can afford a nice car, forget the true cost of ownership, then realize I can still afford it | Source: gfycat.com

So what are the seven true total costs of car ownership? How much should you budget for each? And if they push the car you want out of budget, what are my top tips for saving up to 40%?

Let’s dive into the seven true costs of car ownership (and how to shrink them down).

What’s Ahead:

TL;DR: Owning a car costs around $940 a month

All things considered, having a car in your life will cost around $940 a month all-in.

AAA’s estimate was $894 for 2022, but my estimate is a little higher because folks under 30 have higher insurance premiums. AAA also didn’t include parking in their estimate, which I discuss below.

Anyways, before breaking down the seven true costs of owning a car, let’s talk about the very first one: the cost of the car itself.

How much does the average car cost?

In 2022, the average cost of new and used cars topped $47,000 and $33,000, respectively. High demand, low inventory, and inflation all played a role in prices creeping up, especially for new cars.

To learn precisely how much car you can safely afford, check out ourCar Affordability Calculator. You’ll learn about the 35% rule, when leasing makes sense over buying used, and whether you should pay cash or finance.

But in the end, your monthly payment is just one small part of the true cost of ownership.

The 7 true costs of car ownership

1. Monthly financing or lease payments: ~$450/month

Naturally, your first big expense will be your monthly loan or lease payment.

Let’s say you purchase a used 2019 Toyota Camry for $25,000 with 20% down. Your credit score is a solid 690, so you score 5% APR for 36 months.

Taking a look at our handy Auto Loan Calculator, your monthly payment will come out to $485.53. It’s roughly the same payment if you lease a new one, which is why I strongly recommend financing a used car over leasing a new one. In the former case you’re building equity until you own the car outright, whereas with a lease you have to restart every few years.

You can always stretch your loan term from 36 to 48 months to lower your monthly payment to $373.07. But I don’t recommend going longer than 48 months since you’ll be paying way more in interest and risk going underwater (where you owe more than the car is worth).

But the key takeaway is this: your monthly payment typically represents ~50% of your true cost of ownership.

Let’s cover the other half.

2. Fuel/charging: ~$150/month

Your next cost of car ownership will be paying for gas (or electricity for your EV).

According to AAA, in Q4 2022 the average cost of gas nationwide has plummeted from nearly $5.00 to just $3.68. So if you drive a 30 MPG car 15,000 miles a year, you’ll want to budget $1,840 per year, or $153.33 per month for gas.

The volatile cost of fuel is the main reason why folks consider getting an EV, but even though recharging an EV is way cheaper, there are other costs to consider.

The total cost of car ownership in 2022 | MoneyUnder30 (2)

Will owning an EV like the slick Ford Mach-E truly save you money?

For instance, charging an EV at a public station like Bluedot costs around $0.10/mile or $1,500 per year to drive 15,000 miles. It’s only $0.03/mile ($450/year) if you charge at home, but if you want to get more than 15 miles of range per night, you’ll need to install a Level 2 charger for ~$2,000.

So unless you have access to a free Level 2 charger in your parking deck, the cost of fuel and charging come out to roughly the same these days.

Read more:The true cost of owning an electric car

3. Maintenance and repairs: ~$150/month to $600/month

Here’s where things can vary wildly depending on which make and model car you go with. Because while a 2019 Toyota Camry and a BMW 3 Series may both cost around $28k to buy used, one costs tens of thousands more to own.

First, there’s the difference between maintenance and repairs.

Maintenance is regular, routine stuff that every car needs to stay on the road. Things like:

  • Oil changes
  • Fluid top-offs
  • Tire balancing and rotation
  • Alignments
  • Car washes (to preserve your paint)
  • Filter replacements

Repairs, on the other hand, are unplanned fixes to parts that broke or went wrong. Things like:

  • Leaky transmissions
  • Falling suspension components
  • Bad wiring and electronics
  • Failed motors (window, sunroof, etc.)
  • Brake failure

And more.

As a result, the cost difference between owning a reliable versus unreliable car can be staggering. To illustrate, my 2008 IS 350 has needed just $710 in repairs in the last 15 years. By contrast, Doug DeMuro’s 2006 Range Rover needed $15,659.51 in repairs within four years.

Leases naturally cost less in maintenance and repairs since the dealer will cover most of them, but if you buy a used car, definitely check the Edmunds True Cost to Own before you buy.

Using that tool, you can see how the cost of maintaining and repairing a Toyota Camry for five years is $7,043, whereas the cost to own an equivalent Bimmer is $20,419.

The total cost of car ownership in 2022 | MoneyUnder30 (3)

Source: Edmunds

The total cost of car ownership in 2022 | MoneyUnder30 (4)

Source: Edmunds

4. Insurance: ~$150/month

According to PolicyGenius, the national average for full coverage auto insurance is $1,662 annually or $138.20 per month. Since we’re young and young drivers pay more, we’ll call it $150 to be safe.

But what if you don’t want full coverage (liability + collision + comprehensive)?

Well, most lease/loan agreements require you to have full coverage until you own the car outright, since it’s technically someone else’s property.

Thankfully, even at the full coverage level, there are tons of ways to save up to 40% on your auto insurance.

5. Registration, taxes, and fees: ~$10/month (~$120/year)

Once you pay sales tax on your initial purchase, your annual taxes and fees can be pretty cheap depending on your state.

The National Conference of State Legislatures has a handyinteractive map for quickly finding your state’s registration and title fees. In Georgia, for example, they’re just $20 and $18 respectively.

North Dakota has the highest annual registration fees at $274, but most states are under $100. So not a significant cost, but a cost nonetheless!

6. Parking: ~$0 to $350/month

Most lists like this don’t include parking as an expense (not even AAA does). But considering parking can cost more than insurance I think it’s definitely worth a (dis)honorable mention!

According to SpotHero, the monthly cost to park in U.S. cities tends to range from $50 in Mobile to $340 in San Francisco, with the average hovering around $150. You can see the full list here.

So in addition to checking the Edmunds True Cost to Own, you definitely want to estimate the “True Cost to Park” your new car. Does your landlord offer free parking? How about work? And how often will you be going into the city for an event with pricey parking ($30)?

7. Depreciation: ~$250/month

The final “cost” associated with owning a car is depreciation, aka your car’s sliding market value over time.

I put “cost” in quotes because depreciation isn’t a monthly, out-of-pocket expense. It only really shows up when you go to sell the car in 1, 3, or 10 years.

To use the Camry versus 3 Series example from above, you’ll see how a Camry depreciates very slowly. In five years, it’ll only lose $11,330 of its value; that means if you sell it in five years, you’ll only have paid $24,558 – $11,330 = $13,228 to own it during that time.

That’s $220.47/month, minus the interest you pay your lender plus other expenses.

BMWs, on the other hand, depreciate faster due to their mixed reputation for longevity. At the end of five years your 3 Series will only retain $15,046, or 47.4% of its value. That means once you sell it, you’ll have paid $251.27 per month to own it for five years (again, minus interest and other expenses).

Depreciation never applies to a lease since it’s never your car to sell, and EVs tend to depreciate even faster due to range deterioration, expiring battery warranties, and the uncomfortable reality that most EVs will need new batteries around 10 years in at a cost of $8,000 to $20,000.

The total costs of owning a car

Alright, let’s tally it up!

  • Monthly loan/lease payment: ~$450/month
  • Fuel/charging: ~$150/month
  • Maintenance and repairs: ~$150/month
  • Insurance: ~$150/month
  • Registration, taxes, and fees: ~$10/month
  • Parking: ~$30/month
  • Depreciation: ~$250/month
  • Total out-of-pocket costs (not including depreciation): $940/month

If that number was a little higher than you were hoping, how can we chisel it down?

How to save money on owning a car

As a car broker with years of experience, here are my top tips for saving money on all seven categories of car ownership:

  • Monthly payment: Finance a reliable, 3+-year-old car. Choose a 36- or 48-month term with a lender from our list of theBest Auto Loan Rates, and be sure they charge no origination fees nor early repayment fees so as your income rises, can pay off your auto loan faster and save on interest.
  • Fuel/charging: Get a Costco/Sam’s Club/BJ’s card and save ~$0.25/gallon. If you’re driving 25k+ miles/year, consider a gas rewards card. For EV charging, don’t expect to save on “fuel” unless you have access to free charging.
  • Maintenance and repairs: Buy from a top-three reliable brand (Toyota/Lexus/Mazda). Skip the extended warranty and get pre-purchase inspection (PPI) within the car’s return window instead to ensure quality. For maintenance, teach yourself the easy stuff (wipers, filters, etc.) and find an experienced, trustworthy mechanic nearby for the big stuff. Skip the dealer and low quality national chains (Jiffy Lube, Firestone, etc.).
  • Insurance: Read our car insurance guide to itemize exactly how much of what type of insurance you need, then get quotes from at least five of our picks for theBest Car Insurance Companies.
  • Registration, taxes, and fees: Not much you can do on this front, besides buying your car in another state with lower sales tax and driving it home.
  • Parking: Always have a plan for parking. Know where the free parking is, and check SpotHero and similar sites for great monthly rates.
  • Depreciation: Most cars lose 40% of their value within the first three years. So buying used can save you $10,000+ in upfront costs and depreciation.

The bottom line

At ~$940 a month, cars aren’t cheap. But if they improve your quality of life through comfort, convenience, or the sheer joy of whipping around corners, they can absolutely be worth it.

Read more:

  • How to buy a used car (and get a good deal)
  • Tips for saving on your car loan

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The total cost of car ownership in 2022 | MoneyUnder30 (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to own a car in 2022? ›

The annual cost of car ownership in 2022 is now $10,728, up from 2021's yearly cost of $9,666, according to AAA's Your Driving Costs study.

What are the true costs of car ownership? ›

When you take into account loan interest, depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance and fees, the cost of owning a car makes a big leap. For new vehicles driven 15,000 miles a year, average car ownership costs were $10,728 a year, or $894 a month, in 2022, according to AAA.

How many car owners are in the US in 2022? ›

U.S. Private and Commercial Ownership By Vehicle Type (FHWA)

While there are less than 4.1 million publicly owned vehicles, there are more than 272.4 million privately owned vehicles.

What are 5 costs of owning a vehicle? ›

The total cost of owning and operating an automobile include fuel, Maintenance, Tires, insurance, license, registration and taxes, depreciation, and finance.

What is the average cost of a new vehicle today in 2022? ›

The average price paid for a new vehicle in the United States in September 2022 was down from August's record but remains solidly above the $48,000 mark, according to new data released today by Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive company.

How much does it cost to keep a car per year? ›

The costs of owning a car continue far past the date of purchase. Based on American Automobile Association (AAA)'s latest study on Driving Costs, owning a car costs an average of $9,666 per year. The actual expenses can vary based on several factors, such as the type of car, insurance and maintenance.

How do you explain total cost of ownership? ›

The total cost of ownership (TCO) is the cost to buy something plus the cost to operate it over its useful life. The idea is to take into consideration the total cost that a business will incur to operate an asset, not just the upfront acquisition cost.

How many people own a car in the world 2022? ›

Two major countries are virtually tied for the most vehicles per capita in the world: The car-crazy United States and New Zealand. In both countries there are about 0.9 vehicles for every person. There are 1.446 billion cars in the world in 2022. Most are in Asia, followed by Europe and North America.

Is car ownership increasing in the US? ›

93% of households in the U.S. had access to at least one car in 2019 (Federal Highway Administration). The number of registered vehicles from 2012 to 2019 declined by over 25 million (Statistica).

How much car are in the world 2022? ›

As of 2022, there are about 1.446 billion cars that call planet Earth home. That's 17.7% of people who have a car.

What are the 6 main expenses of owning a car? ›

Calculate the Cost of Owning a Car

True Cost to Own® (TCO®) pricing system calculates the additional costs you may not have included when considering your next vehicle purchase. These extra costs include: depreciation, interest on your loan, taxes and fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs, maintenance, and repairs.

How much more expensive are new cars right now? ›

The average price for new cars increased slightly to $48,681 in November 2022, according to Kelley Blue Book. It's up $2,250 over the average price in October 2021.

How much is the average used car 2022? ›

According to J.D. Power, the average transaction price for a used vehicle at franchised dealerships in September 2022 was $31,025.

Why is owning a car so expensive? ›

Buying a car can be expensive, but owning a car will still cost you even if you only buy a cheap clunker. Insurance, registration, and emissions tests are all fees that many states require drivers to get. In addition, there are ongoing and routine costs such as gasoline, replacement parts, and repairs.

What is total cost answer? ›

total cost, in economics, the sum of all costs incurred by a firm in producing a certain level of output.

What is an example of total cost? ›

The total cost is the sum of fixed costs and variable costs. For example, if a firm has a fixed cost of $30 per unit and a variable cost of $5 per unit as they increase their output, the total cost will be $35.

How do you manage total cost of ownership? ›

I + M – R = TCO

The initial cost is the label price, that is, how much you will pay for the asset. The maintenance cost, in turn, involves the costs to ensure that the asset remains useful in the long term. The remaining cost is the asset's price in the long term, for example, in five years.

What are the benefits of total cost ownership? ›

A TCO analysis helps businesses determine the difference between short-term (purchase price) and long-term (total cost of ownership) costs of a product or system. It helps make an informed purchasing decision when selecting the right vendor from multiple alternatives.

Which is an example of an ownership statement? ›

You can do this with simple call ownership statements such as: “I understand the problem. I'm going to help you find a solution.” “I'm sorry you've had this experience.

What are the 4 types of cost? ›

Costs are broadly classified into four types: fixed cost, variable cost, direct cost, and indirect cost.

Who owns the most cars on earth? ›

The world's biggest car collection – an estimated 7,000 cars worth more than $5bn – is owned by the secretive Sultan of Brunei.

Who owns the most cars in the US? ›

1. Jay Leno. American comedian and talk show host Jay Leno has over 1600 vehicles in his collection, and they range from tiny micro cars and hot rods, through to a pre-1900 steam car, the latest hypercars from Europe, an American LaFrance fire engine, and even a Ferret Scout army vehicle!

What was an effect of the increase in car ownership in the United States? ›

Economic Spin-offs

The growth of the automobile industry caused an economic revolution across the United States. Dozens of spin-off industries blossomed. Of course the demand for vulcanized rubber skyrocketed. Road construction created thousands of new jobs, as state and local governments began funding highway design.

Are car prices declining? ›

Used vehicle prices have been falling for most of 2022

Retail prices for consumers traditionally follow changes in wholesale prices.

Why is car ownership important? ›

Owning a car and getting insurance is a lifelong investment that is sure to benefit you in the future. Owning a car can help you save time. Without a car, your schedule may revolve around the availability of public transport.

How many cars are there in the US 2022? ›

In the second quarter of 2022, there were just over 284 million vehicles operating on roads throughout the United States.

What is the most expensive part of owning a car? ›

Financing a New Car Is Usually the Most Expensive Part

However, you may also need to pay some other fees in addition to this. Some of these fees can be quite hefty as well. Before buying a new car, make sure you know all the costs involved with purchasing one.

How often should you change oil? ›

And while the old rule of thumb was to change your oil every 3,000 miles or so, modern automotive technology has stretched that figure even further. Due to better engineering and better oil formulations, now you can expect between 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes!

What are top 3 expenses? ›

For most households, the big 3 expenses are housing, transportation, and food. These three categories can take up a huge percentage of your income. Housing in particular is getting more expensive every day.

What are basic expenses? ›

Living expenses are expenditures necessary for basic daily living and maintaining good health. They include the main categories of housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and transportation.

What is the most cost effective way to own a car? ›

Generally, buying a car outright is the cheapest way of owning a new car, as you'll only be paying the cost of the vehicle, without interest. But if you don't have the money up front, or you don't want to pay a lump sum straightaway, leasing is an alternative.

Is 2022 a good year to buy a car? ›

While soaring used car prices are bad for those who can't afford a new car, they may mean 2022 is a good time to buy a car for those with a vehicle to trade in.

Are cars overpriced right now 2022? ›

November 14, 2022

New car prices are rising due to an ongoing chip shortage and increased raw material costs. In the U.S., the average price of a new vehicle was up 6.3% in the last year. This has fueled demand for used cars. Average prices were up 42.5% in September 2022 vs.

Are cars cheaper in 2022? ›

When new car production resumes, prices for new cars should fall. According to recent industry data, this might happen as early as 2022, with the market returning to normal by the end of this year or early next year.

Is it better to buy a car now or wait until 2023? ›

Whether you're shopping for a new car or a used one. New car prices are on the rise, breaking records monthly. Used car prices are starting to fall, and our experts tell us that both of those trends could be with us well into 2023. The average new car price set an all-time record in November, selling for $48,681.

What is the cheapest month to buy a car? ›

According to Edmunds data, December has the year's highest discount off MSRP — 6.1% on average — and the highest incentives. Automakers and dealerships want to close the year with strong sales. They also want to get rid of the prior model-year cars that are taking up space, so they're motivated.

Why are cars so expensive right now? ›

Currently, cars are so expensive due to shortages in parts, workers, and vehicles. Rising inflation is affecting prices as well. Since the pandemic in 2019, data shows that the demand for vehicles grows as supply dwindles. Yet, the prices of available cars continue to rise.

Is car market going to crash? ›

Don't expect a crash.

Chesbrough also noted that there will be fewer used cars available for consumers over the coming years for several key reasons, which should keep prices elevated.

Are car prices expected to drop? ›

As new-car production improves, demand for used cars will ease up and prices will continue to fall in the new year. The firm estimates that used-car prices will drop 10%-20% in 2023; new cars, on the other hand, are predicted to see a modest decrease of just 2.5%-5%.

Are new car prices ever going to go down? ›

JP Morgan predicts new car prices could drop by as much as 5% and used car sales could drop by as much as 20% in 2023. As interest rates continue to rise, manufacturers want to maintain demand.

Why are used cars more expensive than new cars 2022? ›

But over the last year and a half, nothing about the used-car market has been traditional. The inventory shortage, which began in 2021 and has dragged into 2022, initially impacted new vehicles, but skyrocketing demand and pricing soon followed for used cars.

Will gas cars go away soon? ›

California, known for leading the United States in climate regulations, dropped a bombshell last month: By 2035, the state will ban sales of new gasoline powered cars and light trucks. Most new car sales are expected to shift to battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs).

How much longer are gas cars going to be around? ›

Keep in mind that we're talking about new cars sold in 2035. Cars last around 15 years, so it will take us to 2050 before we get rid of most of the gasoline-powered cars. “Drivers will be willing to wait 10 to 15 minutes to charge their cars so they can drive 200 more miles.

Will I be able to buy a gas car in 2030? ›

California moves to ban sales of new gas-powered cars by 2035 The state is poised to set a 2035 deadline for all new vehicles sold in the state to be powered by electricity or hydrogen, a step that will speed the transition to more climate-friendly vehicles.

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