GUIDE

Cheapest and Most Expensive States to Own a Car

The same car can cost $8,937 more to own over 5 years depending on where you live. We ranked all 50 states and DC using each state’s gas and electricity prices, sales tax, registration fees and insurance costs.

Data refreshed monthly · last updated September 2026

The 10 cheapest states

#1 — Montana

$45,6405-year cost, typical vehicle · $761/moFull breakdown →

#2 — Delaware

$46,0905-year cost, typical vehicle · $768/moFull breakdown →

#3 — New Hampshire

$46,1175-year cost, typical vehicle · $769/moFull breakdown →

#4 — Alaska

$46,2025-year cost, typical vehicle · $770/moFull breakdown →

#5 — Oregon

$46,3945-year cost, typical vehicle · $773/moFull breakdown →

#6 — Wyoming

$46,4885-year cost, typical vehicle · $775/moFull breakdown →

#7 — North Carolina

$46,6875-year cost, typical vehicle · $778/moFull breakdown →

#8 — South Dakota

$46,6895-year cost, typical vehicle · $778/moFull breakdown →

#9 — North Dakota

$46,7055-year cost, typical vehicle · $778/moFull breakdown →

#10 — Oklahoma

$46,8395-year cost, typical vehicle · $781/moFull breakdown →

The 10 most expensive states

#51 — California

$54,5775-year cost, typical vehicle · $910/moFull breakdown →

#50 — Michigan

$53,3085-year cost, typical vehicle · $888/moFull breakdown →

#49 — Nevada

$52,3415-year cost, typical vehicle · $872/moFull breakdown →

#48 — Florida

$52,3205-year cost, typical vehicle · $872/moFull breakdown →

#47 — Louisiana

$52,0205-year cost, typical vehicle · $867/moFull breakdown →

#46 — Hawaii

$51,9625-year cost, typical vehicle · $866/moFull breakdown →

#45 — Connecticut

$51,6365-year cost, typical vehicle · $861/moFull breakdown →

#44 — New York

$51,5265-year cost, typical vehicle · $859/moFull breakdown →

#43 — Rhode Island

$51,3455-year cost, typical vehicle · $856/moFull breakdown →

#42 — Washington DC

$50,9045-year cost, typical vehicle · $848/moFull breakdown →

See the full 51-state ranking.

See the full methodology →