Owning a car in the U.S. comes with a wide range of costs, and where you live can make a big difference in how much you pay. From gas prices and insurance premiums to maintenance expenses, some states are far more budget-friendly for car owners than others.
At ProfitDuel, we recently conducted a study to find the best and worst states for drivers by analyzing key financial factors: average household spending on vehicle repairs, statewide gas price averages, and the cost of minimum insurance coverage.
Whether you’re looking to cut costs or just curious about how your state stacks up, this guide will give you a clearer picture of the financial realities of car ownership across America.
Earlier this month, ProfitDuel conducted a study across the country in the top 20 and bottom 20 states for car owners based on things like average gas prices and vehicle maintenance costs.
Each state was then assigned a value score based on the data collected.
We’ve summarized the key results in the interactive map below, but you can get a full breakdown of each state's results in the tables in sections 3 and 5.
*District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) 22/153 ProfitDuel Score
Here are the five most affordable states for car ownership based on our findings, so it’s a big bonus if you’re a car owner living here!
When it comes to the best state for car owners, Mississippi ranks as the best overall, scoring highly across all considered factors. Consumer expenditures per household on vehicle maintenance and repairs amount to $964.48, which is well below the national average of $1,290.56.
Additionally, the state of Mississippi offers the second-lowest average gas prices at $2.589. Finally, its average annual minimum car insurance coverage costs only $504, significantly cheaper than New York's $1,685.
The state of Arkansas ranked as the second-best state for car owners. Just like Mississippi, this state consistently performs well across all factors. Arkansas ranked particularly well in vehicle maintenance and repair costs, with a household average of only $1,060.95.
Additionally, the state's average gas price is impressively low at $2.698. In comparison, Hawaii's average gas price is $4.546, and California's is $4.382, highlighting how fortunate Arkansas residents are. The average minimum car insurance coverage is also a standout feature, coming in at just $497.
Oklahoma took third place with an impressive score of 127/153. Households in Oklahoma spend an average of $1,079.94 annually on vehicle maintenance and repair.
With average gas prices of $2.589 per gallon and an annual minimum coverage cost of $557, Oklahoma remains a competitive state for car owners, offering affordability despite its higher insurance costs compared to other top-ranking states
New Mexico claimed the 4th spot in our study on the Best and Worst States for Car Owners, earning an overall score of 124 out of 153. Households in New Mexico spend an average of $1,106 annually on vehicle maintenance and repair.
With state gas prices averaging $2.815 per gallon and an impressively low annual minimum coverage cost of $442, New Mexico remains a cost-effective choice for drivers.
Alabama secured the 5th spot in our study on the Best and Worst States for Car Owners, achieving an overall score of 124 out of 153. On average, households in Alabama spend $1,085.97 annually on vehicle maintenance and repair.
With state gas prices averaging $2.757 per gallon and an annual minimum coverage cost of $505, Alabama stands out as an affordable and accessible state for car owners, offering a balanced mix of reasonable vehicle-related expenses.
| State | Consumer expenditures per household on Vehicle maintenance and repair | State Gas Price Averages | Avg annual min Coverage | Overall Score /153 |
| Mississippi | $964.48 | $2.633 |
$504 |
137 |
| Arkansas | $1,060.95 | $2.698 | $497 | 133 |
| Oklahoma | $1,079.94 | $2.589 | $557 | 127 |
| New Mexico | $1,106 | $2.815 | $442 | 124 |
| Alabama | $1,085.97 | $2.757 | $505 | 124 |
| Wyoming | $1,165.82 | $2.926 | $263 | 123 |
| South Dakota | $1,215.04 | $2.819 | $373 | 121 |
| Montana | $1,223.37 | $2.824 | $409 | 116 |
| Tennessee | $1,175.76 | $2.768 | $521 | 113 |
| Indiana | $1,165.71 | $2.972 | $405 | 112 |
| Kansas | $1,204.92 | $2.692 | $575 | 111 |
| Iowa | $1,237.85 | $2.878 | $321 | 110 |
| North Dakota | $1,244.68 | $2.858 | $402 | 108 |
| Missouri | $1,189.88 | $2.740 | $663 | 108 |
| South Carolina | $1,144.97 | $2.802 | $640 | 106 |
| Wisconsin | $1,227.94 | $2.853 | $448 | 105 |
| Kentucky | $1,091 | $2.751 | $757 | 105 |
| Louisiana | $1,062.45 | $2.734 | $1,025 | 101 |
| West Virginia | $1,056.69 | $3.011 | $567 | 99 |
| Ohio | $1,174.50 | $3.069 | $433 | 95 |
These are the least affordable states for car ownership based on the findings of our recent study. Do you live here and find running a car expensive?
The District of Columbia has come in as the worst state for car ownership. Securing the last place this state did poorly across all factors considered in this study, especially in the consumer expenditures per household on vehicle maintenance and repair with $1,744.32.
Maryland ranks a close second as the worst state for car owners. With exceptionally high vehicle maintenance and repair costs, along with insurance coverage being far above the average, Maryland proves to be an expensive state for car owners.
In third place for the worst state for car owners is New York, with an overall score of 27/153. This state has the most expensive minimum annual coverage, costing $1,685. This is far above the average of $665.35, 153.2% higher than the average across all states.
California’s gas prices are a major reason why this state ranks so poorly for car owners. With the second-highest average gas prices in the United States, California sits at $4.382 - just $0.164 off the top spot.
And in fifth place is Connecticut. Once again, this state ranks very poorly across all factors, with no significant positives. Exceptionally high gas prices and vehicle maintenance costs have left Connecticut with a poor ranking on our list of the best and worst states for car owners.
| State | Consumer expenditures per household on Vehicle maintenance and repair | State Gas Price Averages | Avg annual min Coverage | Overall Score /153 |
| District of Columbia | $1,744.32 | $3.226 |
$840 |
22 |
| Maryland | $1,576.80 | $3.123 | $1,003 | 23 |
| California | $1,549.24 | $4.382 | $715 | 27 |
| New York | $1,352 | $3.139 | $1,685 | 27 |
| Connecticut | $1,503.85 | $3.043 | $1,072 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $1,559.14 | $2.995 | $1,112 | 33 |
| Oregon | $1,333.03 | $3.473 | $836 | 34 |
| Washington | $1,567.62 | $3.897 | $558 | 35 |
| Nevada | $1,245.35 | $3.628 | $1,149 | 37 |
| Florida | $1,226.31 | $3.166 | $1, 135 | 44 |
| Rhode Island | $1,328.76 | $2.946 | $934 | 45 |
| Utah | $1,398.13 | $3.031 | $786 | 47 |
| Illinois | $1,320.99 | $3.239 | $633 | 49 |
| Arizona | $1,307.91 | $3.051 | $827 | 49 |
| Delaware | $1,296.25 | $3.043 | $964 | 49 |
| Virginia | $1,515.58 | $2.967 | $699 | 53 |
| Alaska | $1,389.18 | $3.300 | $505 | 53 |
| Massachusetts | $1,581.51 | $3.006 | $536 | 55 |
| Minnesota | $1,416.05 | $2.946 | $725 | 56 |
| Hawaii | $1,406.78 | $4.546 | $413 | 56 |
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