The sticker price is the smallest number
Insurance, fuel, tires and depreciation quietly double it.
$12.3K
Average yearly cost to own a car once you count everything
5,000
Miles between oil changes on most modern engines
10%
The share of take-home pay a car payment should never exceed
Last reviewedJanuary 20, 2026
General educational information, not individualized tax, legal, or financial advice for your situation.