🇺🇸 US · figures as of 2026-06
Building Wealth

Car True Cost of Ownership Calculator

New cars lose 15–25% of value in year one. See your full 5-year cost including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and financing — the numbers most dealers don't show.

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Operating Costs
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True 5-Year Cost of Ownership

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updates as you type

Full Cost Breakdown

Data sources & methodology: Depreciation curves from Carfax/iSeeCars 2024 averages by vehicle type. New gas: 20% yr1, 15% yr2-5. Used gas: 12%/yr. EV: 22% yr1, 16% yr2-5. Loan interest using standard amortization. Fuel cost = (miles/MPG) × fuel price per year. Maintenance from AAA Your Driving Costs 2024. Disclaimer →

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Frequently asked questions

What is the true cost of owning a car beyond the monthly payment?
The real cost includes depreciation, insurance, fuel or charging, maintenance and repairs, registration, and financing interest. Add these up and the per-mile cost is far higher than the loan payment alone.
What is the biggest cost of car ownership?
Depreciation — the value a car loses over time — is usually the largest expense, especially for new cars, which can lose 15–25% of their value in the first year alone.
Is a new car, used car, or EV cheapest to own?
A gently used car avoids the steepest first-year depreciation and is often cheapest overall. EVs have higher purchase prices but lower fuel and maintenance costs, so the winner depends on how long you keep it and your mileage.

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Data reference (United States): AAA Your Driving Costs 2023; EPA fuel economy · figures as of 2026-06 · Compiled from official public sources via AI-assisted research; latest available data, not individually verified - general information, not advice.. See our methodology for how every figure is sourced and dated.

🔒 Calculations run 100% in your browser — we never see your numbers 📊 Built on primary-source data (see references above) 🔄 Reviewed 2026 · methodology · disclaimer