Car Comparison Calculator
Car 1
Car 2
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What Your Result Means
- Annual cost: The sum of annual fuel, insurance, and maintenance expenses for each vehicle. This is the recurring operating cost — it does not include purchase price, loan payments, depreciation, or taxes.
- Monthly cost: The annual cost divided by 12, giving you a figure to compare against your monthly budget.
- 5-year savings: The cumulative difference in operating costs over five years. This shows whether a more fuel-efficient car's savings justify a potentially higher purchase price.
How This Calculator Works
You enter MPG, annual miles, gas price, monthly insurance, and yearly maintenance for two vehicles. The tool divides annual miles by MPG and multiplies by gas price for fuel cost, adds 12 months of insurance and yearly maintenance to get total annual cost per car, then compares them. The 5-year savings assume costs remain constant — in practice, maintenance and insurance tend to rise as vehicles age.
Quick Questions
Does this include the purchase price?
No. This calculator compares operating costs only — fuel, insurance, and maintenance. To factor in purchase price, use the car payment and car depreciation calculators alongside this one for a fuller cost-of-ownership picture.
How do I estimate annual maintenance?
A reasonable starting estimate is $500–$800 per year for a newer car under warranty, and $1,000–$1,500 per year for an older vehicle. Check your manufacturer's service schedule and factor in tires, brakes, and fluid changes.
What about electric or hybrid vehicles?
For EVs, enter the equivalent fuel cost by dividing your electricity rate by the car's efficiency (miles per kWh). For hybrids, use the EPA combined MPG. Insurance and maintenance inputs work the same for any vehicle type.
Should I use the same gas price for both cars?
Usually yes, unless one car requires premium fuel and the other does not. Premium gas typically costs $0.40–$0.80 more per gallon than regular — enter each car's actual fuel cost.
Sources
- FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA) (official MPG ratings and fuel cost estimates)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — CPI (average fuel and transportation cost data)
- AAA — Your Driving Costs (annual cost-of-ownership studies by vehicle type)
Method & review
Estimate only. Results reflect your inputs and standard formulas. Double-check important decisions independently.