Total Cost of Ownership Calculator

Go beyond the sticker price. This tool adds up depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, fees, and interest to reveal what a car really costs.

Purchase price ($)

Resale value after 5 yrs ($)

Annual insurance ($)

Annual fuel ($)

Annual maintenance ($)

Annual registration/fees ($)

Total loan interest over 5 yrs ($)

Total 5-year cost of ownership

Depreciation$0

Per year$0

Per month$0

Per mile (60k mi)$0

The true cost of owning a car

Most buyers focus on the sticker price and monthly payment, but those are only part of the picture. The total cost of ownership (TCO) bundles every dollar a car demands over time: depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs, registration and fees, and loan interest.

Studies of ownership costs consistently show depreciation is the biggest single expense, often followed by fuel and insurance. This calculator sums a five-year horizon and breaks it down per year, per month, and per mile (assuming 60,000 miles) so you can compare two very different cars on equal footing.

Smart shopping: A cheaper car with poor fuel economy, high insurance, and steep depreciation can cost more over five years than a pricier, efficient, value-holding model.

Frequently asked questions

What's usually the biggest ownership cost?

Depreciation. For most new cars it exceeds fuel, insurance, and maintenance combined over the first five years.

How accurate is this estimate?

It's only as good as your inputs. Use real insurance quotes, your observed fuel cost, and a realistic resale figure for a dependable number.

Does it include repairs?

Bundle expected repairs into the annual maintenance figure. Older or out-of-warranty cars warrant a higher number.