About Vehicle Cost Tools
Free, transparent vehicle cost calculators for the US market. No account required. No data collection.
Methodology
Every calculator on this site uses publicly available data and standard arithmetic formulas. We do not use paid APIs, proprietary datasets, or machine learning models to produce estimates.
Car Sales Tax Calculator
The state sales tax rate comes from the Tax Foundation 2026 data set, a reputable nonpartisan source updated annually. For the top 10 US states by population, we have verified the vehicle-specific tax rules against the official state DMV or revenue department website.
The local rate shown is a statewide average of county and city rates. Actual local rates vary by address. The calculator subtracts the trade-in value from the purchase price before applying tax, but state trade-in rules differ: some states allow full deduction, some cap the deduction, and some do not allow it at all.
This calculator provides an estimate only. Always confirm the exact amount with your state or local motor vehicle agency before completing a purchase.
Fuel Cost Calculator
Uses the standard formula: gallons used = miles ÷ MPG, fuel cost = gallons × price per gallon. Cost per mile is total cost divided by miles driven. This estimate does not account for idling, traffic, weather, towing, elevation changes, or variations in fuel economy.
Car Payment Calculator
Uses the standard loan amortization formula: M = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1], where M is the monthly payment, P is the principal, r is the monthly interest rate, and n is the number of payments. Actual loan terms depend on your credit score, lender, down payment, and trade-in value.
Car Depreciation Calculator
Uses an exponential decay model: value after Y years = purchase price × (1 − annual rate)Y. Typical first-year depreciation is 20-30%. Over 5 years, most vehicles lose 40-60% of their original value. Source: Carfax.
Data Sources
- Tax Foundation - 2026 State and Local Sales Tax Rates
- State DMV and revenue department websites (linked on each calculator page)
- AAA Gas Prices
- Carfax - What Is Car Depreciation?
Data reviewed: July 2026.
State Verification Status
Each state in our tax data is assigned one of three verification levels:
- verified — Rate confirmed against the official state DMV or revenue website. Currently applies to: CA, FL, GA, IL, MI, NY, NC, OH, PA, TX.
- tax-foundation — Rate from the Tax Foundation 2026 cross-state data set. Authoritative, but not verified against the specific state vehicle-tax page.
- estimate — No direct state source found; rate is estimated from published averages. (No states currently in this category.)
Limitations
- Tax rates change. The rates shown may not reflect the most current rate in your area.
- Vehicle tax calculations do not include title, registration, inspection, documentation, or other dealer fees.
- Trade-in tax treatment varies by state and is simplified in this calculator.
- Fuel cost is an estimate based on the inputs you provide.
- Loan payment estimates assume standard amortization and do not include taxes, fees, or insurance.
- These tools do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
Privacy
All calculations happen in your browser. No data is sent to our server. See our privacy policy.