True Cost to Own

Total Cost of Car Ownership Calculator

Calculate the true cost of owning a vehicle over time. See the complete picture including depreciation, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and more. Make informed decisions with real numbers. No signup required.

5-Year Projection

See total cost over a 5-year ownership period.

Cost per Mile

Understand the true cost per mile driven.

Depreciation

Factor in how much the vehicle loses in value.

Fuel & Insurance

Include fuel and insurance in the total.

Maintenance

Add estimated maintenance and repair costs.

Yearly Breakdown

See costs by year for better planning.

Total Cost of Ownership Calculator

See the true cost of owning a vehicle over time, including all expenses.

Vehicle & Financing

Fuel & Operating Costs

Total Cost (5 yrs)
$49,110
Monthly Average
$819
Cost Per Mile
$0.82

Cost Breakdown

Depreciation
$17,847
Interest
$5,557
Fuel
$7,500
Insurance
$7,206
Maintenance
$2,275
Registration
$1,275
Sales Tax
$2,450

Year-by-Year Costs

YearPaymentFuelOtherTotal
Year 1$7,111$1,500$1,850$17,716
Year 2$7,111$1,500$1,872$14,939
Year 3$7,111$1,500$1,896$13,618
Year 4$7,111$1,500$1,920$12,880
Year 5$7,111$1,500$1,944$12,506

Understanding Total Cost of Ownership

The purchase price is just the beginning. Depreciation is often the largest expense, followed by fuel and insurance. Consider these costs when comparing vehicles.

What is Total Cost of Ownership?

TCO includes purchase or loan cost, depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and fees over the time you own the car.

Two cars with similar purchase prices can have very different TCO due to depreciation, fuel economy, and reliability.

Why TCO Matters

Your monthly payment is just one part of car ownership. Don't forget insurance, fuel, maintenance, and depreciation.

Use our car payment calculator for monthly payment and our gas vs electric calculator to compare fuel costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this tool

What is total cost of ownership?

Total cost of ownership (TCO) includes purchase or loan cost, depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and fees over the time you own the car. It shows the real cost beyond the sticker price.

Why is total cost of ownership important?

Two cars with similar purchase prices can have very different TCO due to depreciation, fuel economy, and reliability. TCO helps you compare vehicles on true cost, not just monthly payment.

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