How much does it really cost to own a car in the US?
Share and Follow

(NEXSTAR) – It’s probably the most consistent way Americans get from point A to point B across the country, driving. And while it’s well known that buying a car is a significant investment, most of us don’t typically factor in the day-to-day or annual costs associated with keeping our cars running and operational.

Not to mention the cost of insurance for your vehicle, and for those who live in larger cities, the cost to park your car each and every day.

Adding this all together, the average American pays roughly $12,828 a year to own a car, roughly $1,069 per month, says a new study from Way.

The initial number probably seems eye-popping for sure, but when you break down the various payments on your vehicle, it slowly starts to add up.

(Way.com)

The first and largest is the depreciation of your car. While this isn’t physically money that you’re spending, it’s money that you’re losing every time you use your car. As with age and usage, the price of your car will continue to drop until the day you finally sell it or trade it in. On average, the value of your car drops about $4,600 a year, says Way.

  • First responders stress safety amid heat advisory issued across Tampa Bay

Next is gas and insurance, which can vary depending on your location, but typically Americans spend about $2,200 on gas every year and $1,700 on car insurance.

After that, there’s the maintenance of your car that you end up doing every year. These include oil changes, tire rotations, brake pad replacements, new air filters, new windshield wipers, and anything else that potentially goes wrong with your car in a given year. The prices on this can obviously vary drastically depending on what is going on with your car, but on average, a typical U.S. citizen will spend roughly $1,500 on car maintenance every year.

Going a little more unnoticed is the various financing charges and taxes and fees that you end up paying each year on your car and probably don’t even realize it. Combined, the two can add up to about $1,600 a year.

Finally, there are parking costs, which probably only apply to people who live in larger cities. But on average, the typical American spends around $1,000 on parking. This can vary drastically obviously for someone who lives in the suburbs versus someone who lives in a major city in California or New York.

Separately, all these payments may not seem too crazy, but when combined, it’s a bit more than the normal person may expect to pay on a car year after year.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Two Injured, One Critically, in Decatur Accident

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Two people were hurt in a crash, with…

Man Taken into Custody for Hiding Death of Homeless Woman in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Richmond County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man as…

Trump, a Critic of Presidential Vacations, Plans Scotland Trip Focused on Golf

EDINBURGH – During sweaty summer months, Abraham Lincoln often decamped about 3…

Allianz Life Discloses Data Breach Impacting Over 1.4 Million U.S. Customers

MINNEAPOLIS – Hackers gained access to personal data on the majority of…

Ryan Gosling and Mysterious Alien Rocky Captivate Fans at ‘Project Hail Mary’ Comic-Con Session

SAN DIEGO – Comic-Con got a lot of Ryan and a little…

Exclusive Interview: Georgia Southern Athletic Director Chris Davis

STATESBORO, Ga. () — Sports Director Joey Lamar sat down with Georgia…

Use Venmo to Contribute to Reducing America’s Debt

(NewsNation) – Americans looking to chip in to pay off the country’s…

Israel Once More Stops Ship Headed to Gaza With Activists and Humanitarian Supplies

TEL AVIV – The Israeli military has intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship…