Should I Buy a Car or Use Public Transit? Cost Calculator

Compare the true cost of owning a car with public transit, rideshare, and other transportation options using our free calculator

Should you buy a car, or can you save money by using public transportation and rideshare? The answer depends on how often you travel, where you live, how much you drive, and the full cost of owning a vehicle.

Use the calculator below to compare your current transportation costs with the estimated cost of buying and owning a car. Include expenses such as vehicle payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance, parking, transit, and rideshare to see which option makes the most financial sense for your situation.

Start your business case to compare owning a vehicle vs. using transit, in the financial calculator below

Option 1 captures your current state commuting arrangement , which assumes you don’t have a vehicle.

Option 2 lets you compare the costs with to a vehicle you’re considering purchasing

Remember to keep a copy for yourself by entering your email address at the bottom of the “Business Case Summary” section.

For a better experience on mobile devices, rotate your phone to use the widescreen or landscape view.