Should you buy that car? It makes sense to have one in these cities.
Own a car or use public transportation? This is a classic debate full of trade-offs.
For most Americans, commuting times are faster and the convenience of owning a car outweighs the benefits of using public transportation. But, according to a study by Point2homes, this comfort usually comes at a steep price, earning about $8,137 a year on average, which is the claim to fuel, insurance, maintenance and parking, a study by Point2homes, a resource for renters to publish market research.
The study found that for the average homeowner, that's 8% of their income, but for the average renter, that's 15%. Meanwhile, Andra Hopulele, the author of the study, pointed out that the average cost of public transportation is less than $1,000 a year, with an age difference of more than $7,000.
Hopulele told USA Today that this financial imbalance emphasizes how transit affordability plays a key role in household budgets, especially for low- and middle-income renters. “The trade-off is clear: massive cost savings with moderate time growth. For budget-conscious commuters, especially renters, public transportation can provide meaningful financial relief. ”
More: Used car prices hit record highs in 2025: What buyers need to know
Debate about buying a car and sticking to bus routes and subway systems? Here's what to know:
The study says commuters can save thousands of dollars by throwing away cars in some of the most famous cities in the United States. In California, abandoning cars will save more than $7,000 in four of the top five cities.
They are:
San Francisco, commuters save an average of $10,188
New York, commuters save an average of $9,538
San Diego, commuters save an average of $8,676
Los Angeles, commuters save an average of $8,436
Boston, commuters save an average of $8,195
Washington, commuters save an average of $8,078
Commuters save an average of $7,983 in Philadelphia
Jacksonville, Florida, commuters save an average of $7,662
Commuters save an average of $7,488 in San Jose, California
Chicago, commuters save an average of $7,362
While saving money is always good, for some Americans, time is money.
Point2Homes calculates the average time for work commuting in each city by subtracting the average car commuting time reported in the U.S. Census U.S. Community Survey.
Two California cities that choose public transportation save consumers some of the most money, saving the most time on the way to and from get off work in the top ten who own cars.