How Much Car Can You Actually Afford?

Discover your true budget including fuel, maintenance, and insurance — not just the sticker price. Make smarter car buying decisions.

Car Affordability Calculator

Discover how much car you can truly afford, including ownership costs that many buyers overlook.

Calculator Mode

Unit System

Income & Budget

Your take-home pay each month

Affordable car budget

12% = $600/mo

10%
15%
20%

Experts recommend 10-15% of income for total car costs

Loan Details

Cash you'll pay upfront

Value of your current car

Typically 8-12% depending on location

12 payments/year — standard schedule

Your Driving

Work from home, occasional errands & shopping

Annual Distance

10,000 km

Vehicle & Fuel

Fuel Efficiency

9.0 L/100km

Lower is better (less fuel used)

Ownership Costs

Brakes, battery, suspension items appear

Get quotes for accurate estimates

Home, work, or street parking costs

These are estimates based on averages. Actual costs vary by vehicle, location, and driving habits.

Maximum Car Price

$17,845

Moderate (12% of income)

Balanced approach to car affordability

Purchase Breakdown

Car Price

$17,845

Taxes & Fees (10%)

$1,785

Total Cost

$19,630

Down Payment + Trade-in

-$5,000

Loan Amount

$14,630

Total Interest Paid

$2,545

Interest paid over the life of the loan

Estimated Monthly Costs

Loan Payment

$286

Fuel (est.)

$109

Based on 833 km/month

Maintenance (est.)

$55

Based on car age and driving distance

Insurance

$150

Estimated Total Monthly Cost

$600

% of Income

12.0%

Not included in estimate:

Annual registration fees, safety/emissions inspections, seasonal tires, tolls, and unexpected repairs. Budget 10-15% extra for these costs.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual costs may vary based on your credit score, location, specific vehicle, driving habits, and market conditions. We recommend having at least this estimated amount available monthly. Consult with financial and insurance professionals before making purchase decisions.

Ready to Track Your Car Expenses?

CarExpenses helps you monitor fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and mileage across all your vehicles. Multi-user access for families and small fleets.