Auto & Transport Calculators
The sticker price of a car is just the beginning. Between depreciation, insurance, fuel or electricity, maintenance, registration, and financing, the true cost of car ownership over five years can easily be 2–3 times the purchase price. These three calculators cut through the marketing noise and give you the real numbers.
The total car cost calculator accounts for every ownership expense — including IRS standard mileage rate considerations, depreciation curves by vehicle type, and the hidden cost of financing. Enter your car's price, expected mileage, and fuel type, and get a per-mile and annual cost figure that makes comparing different vehicles straightforward.
Considering an EV? The fuel vs. electric calculator factors in your local electricity rate (average US residential rate: ~$0.16/kWh), current gas prices, and federal EV tax credit eligibility under the Inflation Reduction Act. In most US states, EVs now cost less to fuel and maintain — but the break-even point depends heavily on your driving habits and home charging setup.
Not sure whether to lease or buy? The lease vs. buy car calculator compares total 3- or 5-year costs across both paths, including the residual value you walk away from when a lease ends versus the equity you build by owning. It also handles multiple lease cycles so you can compare leasing forever against buying and holding long-term.
Featured Calculators
Total Car Cost Calculator
Full 5-year ownership cost with depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and financing.
FeaturedFuel vs Electric Calculator
Compare EV vs. gas TCO including federal tax credit, home charging cost, and gas price scenarios.
FeaturedLease vs Buy Car Calculator PRO
Multi-lease comparison, NPV discounting, break-even analysis, and year-by-year schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What car costs should I consider beyond the purchase price?
- The purchase price is typically only 40-50% of what a car costs you over five years. Major additional costs include depreciation (often 15-25% in the first year alone for new cars), insurance premiums, fuel or electricity, routine maintenance and unexpected repairs, registration and taxes, financing interest, and parking. For a $35,000 new car, total five-year ownership costs commonly reach $50,000-$70,000. Our Total Car Cost Calculator accounts for all of these factors and gives you a per-mile cost figure that makes comparing different vehicles straightforward and honest.
- How do I compare leasing vs buying a car?
- The key is comparing total cost over the same time period, not just monthly payments. Leasing typically has lower monthly payments but you build no equity and face mileage restrictions. Buying costs more monthly but you own the asset and can sell it later. Our Lease vs Buy Calculator handles this by comparing multiple lease cycles against buying and holding, factoring in the residual value you walk away from, opportunity cost of your down payment, and the depreciation curve. For most people who keep cars longer than 5 years, buying usually wins — but if you prefer a new car every 3 years, leasing can be more cost-effective.
- Is an electric car really cheaper to own than a gas car?
- In most US states, yes — when you consider total cost of ownership over 5+ years. EVs cost roughly $0.04-$0.06 per mile in electricity versus $0.10-$0.15 per mile for gas, and maintenance costs are significantly lower (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements, simpler drivetrain). However, the higher purchase price means it takes time to break even. Our Fuel vs Electric Calculator factors in your local electricity rate, current gas prices, annual mileage, and federal EV tax credit eligibility to show your specific break-even point. Home charging with a Level 2 charger further improves the economics.
- How does depreciation affect the true cost of owning a car?
- Depreciation is usually the single largest cost of car ownership, often exceeding fuel, insurance, and maintenance combined. A new car loses roughly 20% of its value in the first year and about 15% annually for the next few years. After five years, most cars retain only 35-45% of their original value. This means on a $40,000 car, you might lose $22,000-$26,000 to depreciation alone over five years. Buying a 2-3 year old used car can dramatically reduce this cost since the steepest depreciation has already occurred. Our calculators include depreciation curves so you see the full financial picture.