Driving is seen as a rite of passage as far as coming of age goes in the United States. At the same time, with so many people owning cars, there is a lot of space to account for. At the same time, there are worries about how much time it takes to drive somewhere, especially during rush hour traffic. Cars also cost a great deal of money to own and maintain, especially where gas and car insurance are concerned. With all of this mind, states have been ranked from the best to worst states to drive in. We analyze this data and take a look at the statistics behind Ohio’s second place ranking.
The Best States
One of the cheapest states to own a car in is Iowa. People spend about $648 annually on car insurance, and they spend about $1,118 on average on gas. At the same time, the cost of repairs averages $358. There are 139 car thefts per 100,000 people in Iowa, but there are fewer car facilities per 100 miles driving. Also, the average commute time is about 19 minutes for most people.
Ohio comes next on the list. People spend about $709 annually on car insurance, and they average $1,058 on gasoline annually. They actually spend a little less on the cost of repairs at an average of $356 a year. There are more cars thefts per 100,000 people in Ohio versus Iowa at 148.4, but there are fewer facilities per 100 miles driven. The commute time on average is a little higher at 23.4 minutes.
The Worst States
New Mexico ranks as the second worst state to be a car owner in. Car insurance costs about $883 annually, and people spend about $1,260 on gas each year. There are about 408.9 car thefts per 100,000 people, and the driving commute takes about 21.7 minutes on average.
California is one of the most expensive states to own a car in. The average cost of car insurance per year is $895, and people spend about $1,260 on gas each year. Repairs only cost about $392, and there are far more car thefts at 236.8 per 100,000 people. The average commute takes about 28.9 minutes.
Conclusion
There are so many factors to consider when moving to a new state as far as the economics of owning a car. Some states rank far better than others, but there are some states that do not rank well at all. The more money people spend, and the number of thefts per 100,000 people seems to have the most impact on these ratings. With that being said, Ohio is one of the top states in the nation to own and operate a motor vehicle.
The numbers may provide a statistical analysis of the cost of driving in Ohio, there is no way to predict a car accident. In the unfortunate occasion that you are injured in a car accident, reach out to Ohio Accident Attorneys. We can get you in touch with a local car accident attorney that can discuss your legal options. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.