Total Car Ownership Cost Calculator
Calculate the true total cost of owning a car including purchase price, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation over time.
Total Ownership Cost
Total cost of car ownership goes far beyond the purchase price.
Total Cost = Purchase Price + (Annual Fuel × Years) + (Insurance × Years) + (Maintenance × Years) + Registration/Taxes
Cost per Mile = Total Cost / (Annual Miles × Years)
Average annual costs (US):
- Fuel: $2,000–$4,000
- Insurance: $1,500–$2,500
- Maintenance & repairs: $800–$1,500
- Depreciation: 15–20% per year (first 5 years)
- Registration & fees: $200–$600
Depreciation rule of thumb:
- Year 1: ~20% value loss
- Year 3: ~40% total loss
- Year 5: ~60% total loss
A $35,000 car driven 12,000 miles/year typically costs $0.60–$0.85/mile when all expenses are included.