A new study by Bruning Law Firm analyzes the most convenient states to own a car, using a mix of cost, convenience, and safety data. The study looks at things like the number of EV charging ports and gas stations, access to auto repair centers, road safety scores, and how much drivers spend yearly on insurance, registration, and parking. To compare states fairly, all numbers were adjusted based on population size. Each factor was then given a weight, and states were scored accordingly – higher scores mean better conditions for car owners overall.
| State | Car Expenses as a % of Income | Number of Stations per 100k people | Auto Repair Centers per 100k people | Road Safety Score | Composite Score |
| Vermont | 2.36% | 340 | 141 | 4 | 98.97 |
| California | 2.59% | 188 | 87 | 47 | 69.76 |
| Georgia | 1.80% | 160 | 84 | 39 | 68.16 |
| Missouri | 3.08% | 135 | 98 | 43 | 55.39 |
| Wyoming | 2.60% | 121 | 119 | 21 | 54.75 |
| North Dakota | 2.59% | 155 | 120 | 10 | 53.06 |
| South Dakota | 3.04% | 164 | 115 | 18 | 51.41 |
| Alabama | 3.12% | 203 | 92 | 26 | 50.35 |
| New Hampshire | 3.07% | 142 | 134 | 8 | 49.99 |
| Nevada | 2.12% | 125 | 68 | 42 | 49.30 |
See the full study here.
Vermont is the most convenient state for car owners, earning a top composite score of 99. The state stands out with 340 gasoline and EV charging stations and 141 auto repair centers per 100k residents – the highest figures in the country. Besides, with car owners spending only 2.36% of their income, Vermont ranks third among the top states for lowest vehicle expenses.
California ranks second among states where car maintenance is both accessible and affordable, with a composite score of 70. It offers the second-highest number of gasoline and EV charging stations per 100k people, at 188. California also leads all top-ranking states in road safety, with the highest score of 47, contributing to its position on the list.
Georgia secures the third spot among states offering the most supportive environment for vehicle owners. It stands out as the most affordable state to own a car, with annual vehicle expenses accounting for 1.80% of yearly income. The state also has one of the lowest average annual insurance costs in the U.S., at $1,031 and an annual car registration fee of $20.
Missouri ranks fourth among the top states to own a vehicle, earning a composite score of 55. The state has the second-highest road safety score at 43. Missouri offers 8,495 fuel stations and 6,178 auto repair centers for both electric and motor vehicles. Furthermore, parking is free throughout the state.
Wyoming is the fifth state with the most convenient framework for vehicle ownership in the U.S. The state offers an affordable car ownership experience, with a $30 average annual car registration fee, $33 in annual parking costs, and an average annual insurance cost of $1,444.
North Dakota ranks sixth among states that are most favorable for car owners, earning a composite score of 53. Similar to California, annual car expenses account for just 2.59% of yearly income. The state offers 1,243 total fuel stations, including 231 for electric and 1,012 for motor vehicles.
South Dakota ranks seventh among the states with the best conditions for car owners, with a composite score of 52. Similar to Vermont, it has a $30 annual parking pass cost, the lowest parking fee among the top-ranking states. Besides, there are 1,067 auto repair centers across the state.
Alabama secures the eighth position among states with the most optimal vehicle ownership conditions, achieving a composite score of 50. It has the second-highest number of gasoline and EV charging ports per 100k people, with 203, just behind Vermont. Additionally, Alabama offers 4,794 auto repair centers for drivers in the state.
New Hampshire is the ninth state with a favorable environment for car owners. It has the second-highest number of auto repair centers per 100k people at 134, behind Vermont. Moreover, there are a total of 2,007 fuel stations for both motor and electric vehicles in the state, and the average annual car registration fee stands at $41.
Nevada rounds off the list of the most convenient states for car ownership, achieving a composite score of 49. Car expenses in the state account for only 2.12% of the average person’s income, ranking second-lowest after Georgia. In addition, Nevada has the third-highest road safety score at 42.
A spokesperson from Bruning Law Firm commented on the study:
“States that prioritize low car expenses and robust infrastructure are essential for supporting drivers. With affordable parking, reasonable insurance costs, and accessible auto repair centers, these states make car ownership more manageable, ensuring that residents can maintain their vehicles without financial strain. By fostering such an environment, these states help reduce barriers to car ownership and make it easier for people to enjoy the benefits of personal transportation”.
Methodology
This study by Bruning Law Firm analyzes the most convenient states to own a car in the U.S. To assess affordability, annual insurance, registration, and parking costs were combined into total annual expenses, which were then compared to average wages to calculate car expenses as a percentage of income. EV charging ports and gasoline stations were combined to determine total vehicle fueling stations. All data related to services and infrastructure were normalized per 100,000 residents to ensure fair state-by-state comparisons. A weighted composite score was then calculated, assigning 30% to car expenses as a percentage of income (inversely weighted), 25% each to the number of fueling stations and auto repair centers per 100,000 people, and 20% to road safety (all directly weighted). States were then ranked based on their overall score, with higher scores indicating more favorable conditions for car owners.
