10 Most Expensive US Cities for Car Repairs
You did everything right. You researched the car, negotiated the price and got the insurance sorted. But here's one thing you probably overlooked: where you live can make a massive difference in how much you'll spend keeping that car on the road.
A recent report by The Zebra analyzed car repair costs across the country and found some seriously expensive cities. Turns out, geography isn't just about the commute. Everything from air quality to road conditions can affect the lifespan of certain auto parts.
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These are the 10 U.S. cities where car repair costs eat up the biggest chunk of your paycheck.
1. New Orleans
New Orleans tops the list as the most expensive city for car repairs. With an average annual income of $65,012, people spend 15.46% of their income on car repairs, including items such as brake hoses, alternators and transmission replacements.
2. Oklahoma City
Next up is Oklahoma City, where residents spend roughly 13.21% of their average $77,000 income on car repairs. A new transmission costs an estimated $8,683. Road conditions are also a significant issue in Oklahoma City, with $897 in repairs due to road quality — the second-highest in the country.
3. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis has a specific problem: transmission and alternator replacements are crushing residents' budgets. Both rank in the top two nationally in repair costs relative to overall income at 1.29% and 11.62%, respectively.
4. Cleveland
Road conditions in Cleveland are rough. The city has the highest car repair costs as a percentage of income, with road-related repairs averaging $877 annually (1.17% of income). Transmission and alternator replacement costs rank sixth and seventh nationally, while replacing a brake hose is slightly more affordable, placing it outside the top 10.
5. Houston
Houston is the wealthiest city on this list with an average income of $84,610, but that doesn't insulate it from repair bills. Brake hose replacements hit $659 — among the priciest in the country — and transmission and alternator work rank in the top 5. The one bright spot: Houston's roads rank only 19th in repair costs, giving residents a break.
6. Detroit
Detroit drivers are paying for aging infrastructure. Road repairs typically cost $732 annually, and transmission replacements drain 10.87% of annual income.
7. Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville made the list of cities with the highest car repair costs mainly because of the high cost of a transmission replacement, which takes 10.85% of a person's annual income. Road conditions are also a concern, ranking 11th nationally.
8. Milwaukee
Milwaukee's streets are brutal. Road-related repairs average $944 — the highest in the country. The good news is that other major repairs (brake hose, transmission, alternator) stay out of the top 10.
9. Buffalo, New York
Buffalo's roads are forgiving at just $382 in annual repairs. But don't celebrate too early: transmission and alternator replacements are expensive here, representing 11.26% and 1.26% of income respectively.
10. San Antonio
San Antonio rounds out the list, with road quality being the main culprit. Residents spend $710 on average annually in road-related repairs. The rest of the typical repairs fall outside the national top 10, making it the least painful of the 10 most expensive cities.
The Bottom Line
Living in one of these cities doesn't mean you're doomed to car repair bankruptcy, but it does mean you should budget accordingly. Set aside a repair fund before you need it, stay on top of maintenance and consider this list before your next move.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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