Delaware Is One Of The Most Expensive States To Own A Car - Here's How Much It Costs
The average cost of owning a car varies significantly across the country, with some states having higher insurance, gas, and maintenance costs. A recent study by Consumer Affairs analyzed the cost of owning a car in every state, with Delaware coming out as the priciest state in the country. According to the study, the average Delaware car owner spends $4,319 on insurance, maintenance, and gas each year. A significant proportion of that total was spent on gas, since the state's drivers cover the highest annual mileage in the country on average, clocking around 21,900 miles per year.
New York was ranked as the second most expensive state to own a car, with an average annual cost of $3,607, while Florida ranked in third place with $3,481. Mississippi's average of $3,465 and New Jersey's average of $3,447 rounded out the top five priciest states. Despite having some of the highest gas prices in the country, California did not rank in the top five priciest states to own a car in the study, instead taking the sixth-place spot. However, it was only marginally less expensive than New Jersey, with an average ownership cost of $3,408.
At the other end of the table, Montana ranked as the cheapest state to own a car, with its drivers spending an average of $2,166. Overall, the national average cost of car ownership according to the study was $3,001.
Drivers can reduce ownership costs in several ways
The listed costs above represent an overall average, and drivers looking to keep their car ownership costs to a minimum have plenty of options. However, it's worth being aware of hidden pitfalls when you're trying to save money, particularly when it comes to car insurance. Even though drivers might pay less upfront for their policy, the cheapest car insurance policies are arguably worth avoiding.
These policies offer minimal coverage and can come with exclusions that are buried deep in their terms and conditions, which could leave drivers out of pocket if they attempt to make a claim. Nonetheless, shopping around for the best insurance premiums — while making sure they offer suitably comprehensive cover — can be a good way to keep your ownership costs down.
Another cost-saving measure that you can take is learning how to do basic car maintenance at home. Tasks like changing the oil in your car by yourself might seem intimidating if you haven't done it before, but it's a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. Other everyday maintenance tasks, like changing your car's air filter or changing its worn-out brake pads, can also shave noticeable amounts off your average ownership bill, especially if you live in a state where the average cost of labor is high.