This calculator is designed to estimate the annual cost of owning and using a personal vehicle in Boston, and to compare it with alternative travel options. The numbers below are averages, not guarantees. Actual costs vary by vehicle, neighborhood, driving habits, and market conditions. We only use variable costs (dependent on usage) of owning a car and do not consider the upfront cost of buying a car.
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Assumptions & Methodology
How we calculate costs for the Boston Transportation Cost Calculator
Car Ownership Costs (Annual)
| Variable | Assumption | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average gas price (MA) | $2.90 per gallon | U.S. Energy Information Admin. |
| Average fuel efficiency | 25 miles per gallon | EPA average for mid-size vehicles |
| Cost per mile | $0.116 per mile | Calculated: ($2.90 ÷ 25 MPG) |
| Parking rent | $250 per month | Boston average for off-street parking |
| Maintenance cost | $1,000 per year | Industry average: $1,000–$1,200 |
| Insurance cost | $1,538 per year | Massachusetts average for Boston drivers |
| Sources: U.S. Energy Information Admin., EPA Fuel Economy, Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner data | ||
Trip Categories & Frequency Assumptions
We've organized typical trips into four categories. These frequencies below represent defaults for different user lifestyles. You can customize them in the calculator.
| Trip Type | Student/ Professional |
Couple (no kids) |
Family (with kids) |
Frequent Trip-Goers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commute per week | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Non-commute trips per week | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Day trips per year (Salem, Concord, Cape Ann, Gloucester, etc.) |
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Multi-day Trips per year (Cape Cod, New Hampshire, Vermont etc.) |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Note: The defaults above are illustrative starting points—use the calculator to override these values with your own trip estimates.
Cost Calculation Formulas
With a Car
Total Annual Cost = Annual Fuel/Electricity Costs + Fixed Annual Costs
Annual Fuel/Electricity costs for non-car owners could be calculated at the AFDC website. For annual mileage, we assume 8.1 miles/commute, 7 miles/non-commute, 120 miles/day trip, and 295 miles/multi-day trip.
Fixed costs include: parking (off-street: $250/month, on-street: free), insurance ($1,200/year), registration & inspection ($100/year), plus loan/lease costs.
Without a Car
Total Annual Cost = (Public Transit Cost × Trips) + (Rideshare/Rental Cost × Trips)
Assumptions are shown below.
MBTA cost: Commute and 75% of non-commute trips use MBTA at $2.4/per ride. If the total cost exceeds $90, the person buys a Charlie card at $90.
Regional bus cost: Average day-trip bus costs $20.
Rideshare cost: 25% of non-commute trips via rideshare @ $15/trip.
Rental car cost: $40/day, assume 2 days for multi-day trips.
Limitations & Disclaimers
- Averages, not guarantees: All numbers represent Boston-area averages. Your actual costs will vary based on vehicle type, insurance history, neighborhood, and personal driving habits.
- Public transit availability: This calculator assumes reasonable access to MBTA and regional bus services. Availability varies by neighborhood.
- Parking assumptions: We assume off-street parking at $250/month or free resident permit parking. Actual costs vary significantly by neighborhood.
- Household-level estimates: The defaults are for typical households. Your actual patterns may differ.
Questions or feedback? Contact our team to suggest improvements to these assumptions.