MS one of most expensive states to own a car, study says. Here’s where it ranks and why
In recent years, car ownership has become significantly more pricey, with average annual costs varying by state. Mississippi is ranked as one of the top five most expensive U.S. states to own a car, according to a recent study.
Federal statistics show that in the past decade, gas prices have jumped by 20% and car repair costs have risen by 63%, researchers said in the September study, published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs.
The study ranked states based on average annual costs of car ownership. Here’s where Mississippi landed and what car owners can expect cost-wide in the Magnolia State.
Most expensive states for car owners
These are the top 10 most costly states for car ownership and the average annual cost of owning a car in each state, according to the study:
1. Delaware: $4,319
2. New York: $3,607
3. Florida: $3,481
4. Mississippi: $3,465
5. New Jersey: $3,447
6. California: $3,408
7. Georgia: $3,392
8. Louisiana: $3,392
9. Nevada: $3,298
10. New Mexico: $3,210
How much does car-ownership cost in MS?
Mississippi is ranked as the fourth-most expensive state to own a car in, according to the study.
The Magnolia State also stands out because residents’ budgets are impacted more than any other state, with about 6.4% of the state’s median income going to car-related expenses, researchers said.
Here’s an average annual cost breakdown for car owners in Mississippi, according to the Journal of Consumer Affairs:
- Insurance premium: $1,232
- Repair costs: $394
- Gas expenses: $1,838
- Total: $3,465
Least expensive states for car owners?
These are the 10 least expensive states to own a car in and the average annual costs of car ownership in each state, according to the study:
1. Montana: $2,166
2. Iowa: $2,168
3. South Dakota: $2,230
4. North Dakota: $2,245
5. Ohio: $2,378
6. New Hampshire: $2,384
7. Maine: $2,451
8. Wisconsin: $2,503
9. Idaho: $2,503
10. Vermont: $2,570
How did researchers determine most expensive states to own cars?
To rank states based on how expensive they are for car owners, researchers calculated average annual car ownership cost based on three cost categories: car insurance, repairs and fuel.
Researchers used data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, CarMD, AAA, the Federal Highway Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, according to the study.
This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
