Nevada Leads Nation in Cost of Owning a Car
Nevada drivers face the highest annual cost of owning a car in America at $6,119, according to a new LendingTree analysis of recurring expenses excluding car payments. That figure tops Florida ($5,682) and Louisiana ($5,663), while New Hampshire posts the lowest costs at $3,030, followed by Maine ($3,543) and Ohio ($3,544). The national average sits at $4,507.
Insurance premiums drive much of the gap. In Nevada, premiums alone can exceed $3,400 a year, far above other states. Fuel, repairs, registration, and taxes make up the rest, creating a more than $3,000 annual difference between the most and least expensive states.
For Nevada, the ranking lands as another cost-of-living flashpoint. With families already navigating high housing and insurance pressures, elevated vehicle expenses reinforce ongoing debates in Carson City over insurance regulation, gas taxes, and policies that affect working households who rely on cars for daily life.
