Car Ownership Cost Calculator

Educational tool: This calculator provides estimated monthly, annual and per‑mile costs for car ownership based on the inputs you provide. Use it for planning and comparison only.

Enter your vehicle & cost details

Purchase price (or current value)

Down payment

Loan term (years)

Loan interest rate (APR %)

Annual insurance cost

Fuel / energy price (per gallon or kWh)

Fuel efficiency (MPG or miles per kWh)

Annual miles driven

Annual maintenance & service

Annual unexpected repairs reserve

Annual registration & inspection

One-time sales tax rate (%)

Estimated annual depreciation

Monthly parking / storage

Monthly tolls / commuting fees

Other annual costs (tires, warranty, roadside, accessories)

How to use

Enter realistic values for purchase price, down payment, loan terms and interest.
Provide local fuel or energy price and expected annual mileage for accurate fuel cost estimates.
Include annual insurance, maintenance, repairs, registration, parking and other recurring costs.
Click Calculate costs to see monthly, annual and per‑mile totals and a breakdown by category.
Use the results to compare scenarios (different vehicles, loan lengths, or fuel types) and to budget a reserve for unexpected repairs.

Tip: Run multiple scenarios (new vs used, hybrid vs gas) to compare long‑term costs and monthly cash flow.

Disclaimer

This tool is provided for educational purposes only. It produces estimates based on the inputs you provide and simplified assumptions. Real-world costs vary by location, market conditions, driving habits, vehicle condition, insurance underwriting, financing offers, taxes, incentives, and unforeseen events. Nothing on this page constitutes financial, legal, tax, or professional advice. Always verify quotes with dealers, lenders, insurers, and local authorities before making purchasing or financing decisions. Use the results as a planning guide, not a guarantee — actual costs can be higher or lower than estimated.

Why this matters

Understanding the full cost of owning a car helps you make smarter choices about buying, financing, and long-term budgeting. This calculator estimates monthly, annual, and per‑mile costs by combining purchase financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration, depreciation, parking, tolls, and other recurring expenses. Use realistic inputs—loan terms, expected annual mileage, local fuel prices, and insurance quotes—to get the most useful estimate. Treat the results as a planning tool: compare scenarios (new vs used, different loan lengths, hybrid or electric options) to see how choices change your monthly cash flow and total cost of ownership over time. If you’re shopping for a vehicle, run multiple scenarios to test tradeoffs between lower monthly payments and higher long‑term costs from depreciation or fuel. For budgeting, use the annual totals to set aside a monthly reserve for unexpected repairs and maintenance. Remember this tool is educational and simplifies many variables; consult dealers, lenders, and insurers for binding quotes. Save or print your scenarios to track changes as market prices, insurance rates, and personal driving habits evolve. Revisit estimates annually or when you move, change jobs, or buy a different vehicle to keep your financial plan accurate and reduce surprises and improve decision confidence.