The cost of owning and maintaining a car varies greatly depending on your cost of living. However, it may surprise many to learn that if you want to buy a new car you’ll need to earn a six-figure salary in each state to afford it.
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GOBankingRates looked at factors to determine the average salary needed in each state to afford a new car, which, according to Kelley Blue Book, will run you an average of $47,244 for this purchase. The study factored in average annual car payments, fuel expenses, repair costs and car insurance premiums. The state rankings are based on the minimum salary needed from lowest to highest.
Take a look so that you can prepare for the costs of owning a new car.
North Carolina
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Cost of gas per year: $2,864.16
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,368
-
Annual repair costs: $402.61
-
Monthly payment: $707
-
Annual payments: $8,484
-
Total annual cost: $13,118.77
-
Minimum salary: $109,141
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New Hampshire
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Cost of gas per year: $3,428.88
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,307
-
Annual repair costs: $370.79
-
Monthly payment: $676
-
Annual payments: $8,112
-
Total annual cost: $13,218.67
-
Minimum salary: $109,972
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New Mexico
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Cost of gas per year: $2,954.64
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,505
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Annual repair costs: $392.53
-
Monthly payment: $699
-
Annual payments: $8,388
-
Total annual cost: $13,240.17
-
Minimum salary: $110,151
South Carolina
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,832.96
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,894
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Annual repair costs: $395.83
-
Monthly payment: $679
-
Annual payments: $8,148
-
Total annual cost: $13,270.79
-
Minimum salary: $110,406
Virginia
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,957.76
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,321
-
Annual repair costs: $401.17
-
Monthly payment: $717
-
Annual payments: $8,604
-
Total annual cost: $13,283.93
-
Minimum salary: $110,515
Alabama
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Cost of gas per year: $2,832.96
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,542
-
Annual repair costs: $399.33
-
Monthly payment: $713
-
Annual payments: $8,556
-
Total annual cost: $13,330.29
-
Minimum salary: $110,901
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Mississippi
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,736.24
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,606
-
Annual repair costs: $394.03
-
Monthly payment: $717
-
Annual payments: $8,604
-
Total annual cost: $13,340.27
-
Minimum salary: $110,984
Oregon
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Cost of gas per year: $3,736.24
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,244
-
Annual repair costs: $393.94
-
Monthly payment: $673
-
Annual payments: $8,076
-
Total annual cost: $13,351.86
-
Minimum salary: $111,080
Indiana
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,976.48
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,256
-
Annual repair costs: $364.76
-
Monthly payment: $731
-
Annual payments: $8,772
-
Total annual cost: $13,369.24
-
Minimum salary: $111,225
South Dakota
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Cost of gas per year: $3,038.88
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,581
-
Annual repair costs: $377.64
-
Monthly payment: $699
-
Annual payments: $8,388
-
Total annual cost: $13,385.52
-
Minimum salary: $111,360
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Ohio
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Cost of gas per year: $3,132.48
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,023
-
Annual repair costs: $353.76
-
Monthly payment: $742
-
Annual payments: $8,904
-
Total annual cost: $13,413.24
-
Minimum salary: $111,591
Tennessee
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,767.44
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,373
-
Annual repair costs: $399.11
-
Monthly payment: $742
-
Annual payments: $8,904
-
Total annual cost: $13,443.55
-
Minimum salary: $111,843
Vermont
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Cost of gas per year: $3,335.28
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,158
-
Annual repair costs: $374.45
-
Monthly payment: $716
-
Annual payments: $8,592
-
Total annual cost: $13,459.73
-
Minimum salary: $111,978
Iowa
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,076.32
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,321
-
Annual repair costs: $359.96
-
Monthly payment: $726
-
Annual payments: $8,712
-
Total annual cost: $13,469.28
-
Minimum salary: $112,057
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Maine
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Cost of gas per year: $3,400.80
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,116
-
Annual repair costs: $349.25
-
Monthly payment: $718
-
Annual payments: $8,616
-
Total annual cost: $13,482.05
-
Minimum salary: $112,163
Idaho
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Cost of gas per year: $3,282.24
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,121
-
Annual repair costs: $389.05
-
Monthly payment: $727
-
Annual payments: $8,724
-
Total annual cost: $13,516.29
-
Minimum salary: $112,448
Wyoming
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,945.28
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,736
-
Annual repair costs: $397.79
-
Monthly payment: $704
-
Annual payments: $8,448
-
Total annual cost: $13,527.07
-
Minimum salary: $112,538
Oklahoma
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,889.12
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,797
-
Annual repair costs: $379.77
-
Monthly payment: $706
-
Annual payments: $8,472
-
Total annual cost: $13,537.89
-
Minimum salary: $112,628
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West Virginia
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,932.80
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,610
-
Annual repair costs: $383.48
-
Monthly payment: $724
-
Annual payments: $8,688
-
Total annual cost: $13,614.28
-
Minimum salary: $113,264
Wisconsin
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Cost of gas per year: $3,054.48
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,499
-
Annual repair costs: $361.11
-
Monthly payment: $725
-
Annual payments: $8,700
-
Total annual cost: $13,614.59
-
Minimum salary: $113,266
North Dakota
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,098.16
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,419
-
Annual repair costs: $364.62
-
Monthly payment: $731
-
Annual payments: $8,772
-
Total annual cost: $13,653.78
-
Minimum salary: $113,592
Minnesota
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,032.64
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,493
-
Annual repair costs: $377.68
-
Monthly payment: $734
-
Annual payments: $8,808
-
Total annual cost: $13,711.32
-
Minimum salary: $114,071
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Arkansas
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Cost of gas per year: $2,795.52
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,597
-
Annual repair costs: $382.61
-
Monthly payment: $745
-
Annual payments: $8,940
-
Total annual cost: $13,715.13
-
Minimum salary: $114,103
Georgia
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,917.20
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,647
-
Annual repair costs: $407.71
-
Monthly payment: $731
-
Annual payments: $8,772
-
Total annual cost: $13,743.91
-
Minimum salary: $114,342
Maryland
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,066.96
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,640
-
Annual repair costs: $399.07
-
Monthly payment: $729
-
Annual payments: $8,748
-
Total annual cost: $13,854.03
-
Minimum salary: $115,258
Texas
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,864.16
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,875
-
Annual repair costs: $397.53
-
Monthly payment: $728
-
Annual payments: $8,736
-
Total annual cost: $13,872.69
-
Minimum salary: $115,413
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Kansas
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Cost of gas per year: $2,811.12
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,594
-
Annual repair costs: $374.44
-
Monthly payment: $763
-
Annual payments: $9,156
-
Total annual cost: $13,935.56
-
Minimum salary: $115,936
Utah
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,279.12
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,469
-
Annual repair costs: $401.65
-
Monthly payment: $735
-
Annual payments: $8,820
-
Total annual cost: $13,969.77
-
Minimum salary: $116,221
Connecticut
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,132.48
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,750
-
Annual repair costs: $418.37
-
Monthly payment: $724
-
Annual payments: $8,688
-
Total annual cost: $13,988.85
-
Minimum salary: $116,380
Rhode Island
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,886.00
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,845
-
Annual repair costs: $386.93
-
Monthly payment: $740
-
Annual payments: $8,880
-
Total annual cost: $13,997.93
-
Minimum salary: $116,455
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Alaska
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,597.36
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,359
-
Annual repair costs: $387.05
-
Monthly payment: $725
-
Annual payments: $8,700
-
Total annual cost: $14,043.41
-
Minimum salary: $116,834
Montana
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,400.80
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,692
-
Annual repair costs: $389.84
-
Monthly payment: $714
-
Annual payments: $8,568
-
Total annual cost: $14,050.64
-
Minimum salary: $116,894
Kentucky
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,870.40
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,105
-
Annual repair costs: $384.76
-
Monthly payment: $729
-
Annual payments: $8,748
-
Total annual cost: $14,108.16
-
Minimum salary: $117,372
Pennsylvania
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,294.72
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,445
-
Annual repair costs: $384.33
-
Monthly payment: $749
-
Annual payments: $8,988
-
Total annual cost: $14,112.05
-
Minimum salary: $117,405
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Nebraska
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,120.00
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,018
-
Annual repair costs: $374.53
-
Monthly payment: $718
-
Annual payments: $8,616
-
Total annual cost: $14,128.53
-
Minimum salary: $117,542
Delaware
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,185.52
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,137
-
Annual repair costs: $390.89
-
Monthly payment: $708
-
Annual payments: $8,496
-
Total annual cost: $14,209.41
-
Minimum salary: $118,215
Michigan
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,017.04
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,133
-
Annual repair costs: $356.29
-
Monthly payment: $732
-
Annual payments: $8,784
-
Total annual cost: $14,290.33
-
Minimum salary: $118,888
Illinois
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,213.60
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,578
-
Annual repair costs: $379.23
-
Monthly payment: $761
-
Annual payments: $9,132
-
Total annual cost: $14,302.83
-
Minimum salary: $118,992
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Massachusetts
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,666.00
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,538
-
Annual repair costs: $386.20
-
Monthly payment: $727
-
Annual payments: $8,724
-
Total annual cost: $14,314.20
-
Minimum salary: $119,087
Missouri
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,836.08
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,104
-
Annual repair costs: $378.85
-
Monthly payment: $754
-
Annual payments: $9,048
-
Total annual cost: $14,366.93
-
Minimum salary: $119,525
New Jersey
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,266.64
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,901
-
Annual repair costs: $399.61
-
Monthly payment: $734
-
Annual payments: $8,808
-
Total annual cost: $14,375.25
-
Minimum salary: $119,594
Arizona
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,310.32
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,617
-
Annual repair costs: $388.92
-
Monthly payment: $761
-
Annual payments: $9,132
-
Total annual cost: $14,448.24
-
Minimum salary: $120,202
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Washington
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,846.96
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,371
-
Annual repair costs: $392.46
-
Monthly payment: $749
-
Annual payments: $8,988
-
Total annual cost: $14,598.42
-
Minimum salary: $121,451
Colorado
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,282.24
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,940
-
Annual repair costs: $417.14
-
Monthly payment: $748
-
Annual payments: $8,976
-
Total annual cost: $14,615.38
-
Minimum salary: $121,592
Hawaii
-
Cost of gas per year: $4,212.00
-
Average car insurance premium: $1,306
-
Annual repair costs: $381.23
-
Monthly payment: $730
-
Annual payments: $8,760
-
Total annual cost: $14,659.23
-
Minimum salary: $121,957
New York
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,307.20
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,020
-
Annual repair costs: $386.55
-
Monthly payment: $747
-
Annual payments: $8,964
-
Total annual cost: $14,677.75
-
Minimum salary: $122,111
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Florida
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,098.16
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,560
-
Annual repair costs: $396.29
-
Monthly payment: $736
-
Annual payments: $8,832
-
Total annual cost: $14,886.45
-
Minimum salary: $123,847
Nevada
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,637.92
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,023
-
Annual repair costs: $398.26
-
Monthly payment: $749
-
Annual payments: $8,988
-
Total annual cost: $15,047.18
-
Minimum salary: $125,185
Louisiana
-
Cost of gas per year: $2,988.96
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,546
-
Annual repair costs: $388.66
-
Monthly payment: $764
-
Annual payments: $9,168
-
Total annual cost: $15,091.62
-
Minimum salary: $125,554
California
-
Cost of gas per year: $3,918.72
-
Average car insurance premium: $2,115
-
Annual repair costs: $415.66
-
Monthly payment: $767
-
Annual payments: $9,204
-
Total annual cost: $15,653.38
-
Minimum salary: $130,228
Daria Uhlig and Heather Taylor contributed to the reporting of this article.
Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the salary you need to afford a new car in your state using the following assumptions: MSRP of $47,244 as sourced from Kelley Blue Book’s February 2024 report, a 20% down payment of $9,449, and Total Vehicle Expenses (“Vehicle purchases (net outlay),” “Gas, other fuels and motor fuel” and “Other vehicle expenses (excluding vehicle insurance)”) of 12.180% of one’s income before taxes as sourced from the 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With these constants, GOBankingRates found the following factors for each state: (1) cost of gas per year calculated by sourcing each state’s transportation cost of living index from the Missouri Economic and Research and Information Center’s 2023 cost of living data and factoring it out by the “Gas, other fuels and motor fuel” expenditure from the BLS; (2) average annual insurance costs as sourced from CarInsurance.com; (3) annual repair costs sourced from CarMD’s 2022 State Repair Cost Rankings; (4) annual car loan payments as calculated by CarMax Auto Loan Calculator. Finally, all factors were totaled to find the (5) total annual cost to purchase and operate a new car in each state, which was then divided by 12.180% to give the (6) minimum salary required to afford a new car. All data was collected on and up to date as of April 3, 2024.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: This Is the Salary You Need To Afford a New Car in Your State
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