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What Percentage of Income Should Go to a Car?

What percentage of income should go to a car in the US—often 15–20% for payment + insurance + gas; use affordability calculator.

AutoPremo Team
January 31, 2026
1 min read

What percentage of income should go to a car in the U.S.: often 15–20% of take-home for payment + insurance + gas—so you don't over-borrow. Use autopremo.com affordability calculator and payment calculator. Use autopremo.com.

TL;DR Often 15–20% of take-home for payment + insurance + gas. Use autopremo.com affordability to see what you can afford; agree on OTD first, then term and payment. Use autopremo.com.

Use Affordability

Use autopremo.com affordability calculator to see max payment and suggested OTD. Get your numbers at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

Often 15–20% of take-home for car (payment + insurance + gas). Use autopremo.com affordability so you don't over-borrow.

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