What are the Monthly Costs of Owning a Car?
Owning a car is convenient and provides independence, but it can also be expensive. Beyond the initial purchase price, several ongoing expenses can influence how much your car will truly cost you. Here are six main expenses to consider:
Monthly car loan payment:
If you financed your car, you are paying back a loan with interest. The monthly payment depends on the loan amount, the interest rate, and the loan term. For example, if you borrow $20,000 at a 4% interest rate for five years, your monthly payment would be about $368.
Car insurance premium:
Auto insurance is mandatory in most states, and the cost varies depending on factors such as your driving record, age, gender, location, car make and model, coverage level, and deductible. The average annual cost of car insurance in the US is $1,674, which translates to about $140 per month.
Fuel:
You need gas or diesel to power your car, and the price per gallon can fluctuate depending on market conditions, taxes, and your location. The average fuel economy for new cars sold in the US is about 25 miles per gallon, which means that a car that travels 1,000 miles per month would need about 40 gallons of fuel. At a price of $3 per gallon, that would cost about $120 per month.
Maintenance:
Cars need regular upkeep, such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake pads, filters, and fluid flushes, to prevent breakdowns and ensure safety and longevity. The cost of maintenance varies depending on the car make and model, age, mileage, and local labor rates. According to AAA, the average cost of maintenance, repairs, and tires for a new car is about $112.50 per month.
Registration and licensing:
You need to register your car with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and renew it annually or biennially, depending on the state. The registration fee and taxes vary by state and can range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per year. You may also need to obtain a driver's license, pay a fee, and renew it periodically.
Depreciation:
Cars lose value over time, especially during the first few years of ownership. Depreciation is the difference between the car's original price and its resale or trade-in value. According to Edmunds, a new car loses about 20% of its value in the first year and about 60% of its value in the first five years. Therefore, if you bought a $30,000 car and sold it after five years, you might only get $12,000 for it, resulting in a depreciation of $3,600 per year or $300 per month.
Finally:
Adding up all these expenses, you can estimate the total monthly cost of owning a car. For example, if you have a $368 car loan payment, a $140 insurance premium, a $120 fuel cost, a $112.50 maintenance cost, a $50 registration fee, and a $300 depreciation cost, your total monthly cost would be $1,090.50. your actual costs may vary depending on your specific situation, such as your car value, loan term, insurance coverage, driving habits, and location.
To avoid overspending on your car, it's helpful to set a budget and stick to it. Financial experts recommend that you should spend no more than 10% of your monthly take-home pay on your car payment, so you can keep your total car costs below 15% to 20% of your income. For example, if your monthly take-home pay is $4,
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