Independent · We don't sell cars
Know what a car really costs to own — before you buy.
Depreciation, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and state fees — all in one 5-year total. Free calculators, state-by-state data, and plain-English guides. No sign-up, no quote forms, nothing to upload.
Try the 5-Year TCO Calculator
Enter your vehicle details to see the full 5-year cost breakdown — depreciation, interest, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and state fees.
Enter your vehicle details
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
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Cost breakdown
All figures are 5-year totals (estimates).
Show year-by-year breakdown
| Year | Depreciation | Interest | Fuel | Insurance | Maintenance | Fees & Tax |
|---|
These are estimates based on your inputs and standard assumptions (depreciation curve: ~20% year 1, ~15%/yr thereafter; maintenance flat annual). Actual costs vary by make, model, condition, location, driving behaviour, and market conditions. Use this tool for directional comparison only. Verify insurance with quotes and registration fees with your state DMV.
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Car costs by state
All 50 states + D.C. →Sales-tax rate, annual registration, vehicle property tax, and inspection requirements — each state cited to its official source.
Car cost guides
All guides →
Source-cited data
Each state fee links to its official DMV or revenue department source, with the date we verified it. Unverified data is flagged and kept out of search.
Nothing leaves your browser
No account, no quote form, no personal data. All calculations run locally. We can't sell what we never collect.
Genuinely independent
We don't sell cars, earn dealer referral fees, or work for any lender. When we link to a partner, it's clearly labeled and never influences our data or rankings.
Frequently asked questions
What is true cost of car ownership (TCO)?
True cost of ownership is the total you'll spend on a vehicle over a given period — not just the purchase price. It includes depreciation (the value lost), financing interest, fuel or charging costs, insurance, routine maintenance, and state fees like sales tax, registration, and property tax. Over 5 years, ownership costs often exceed the original purchase price.
Does CarOutlay sell cars or earn commissions?
No. CarOutlay is an independent information publisher. We don't sell cars, arrange loans, or work for dealers. We're not compensated based on which vehicle or lender you choose. When we link to a partner, it's clearly labeled, and it never influences our estimates or rankings.
Where do your state fee numbers come from?
Each state record cites the official source — the state DMV, department of revenue, or motor vehicle office — along with the date we reviewed it. States we haven't finished source-verifying are shown as clearly flagged estimates and kept out of search until confirmed.
Is my data stored or shared?
No. All calculations run in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to our servers. We don't collect personal information, and we have no idea what numbers you entered.
What is the biggest hidden cost of owning a car?
Depreciation is usually the largest single cost — typically 40–60% of a new vehicle's value is lost in the first 5 years. After depreciation, insurance and fuel are the next-largest variable costs. Together these three categories often exceed the loan payments buyers focus on.
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A free, plain-English guide to every cost you'll face owning a car — plus occasional updates when state registration fees or tax rules change. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.