As of 2023, the average monthly car payment for new vehicles is $729. This is a 24.4% increase from 2022, according to the second quarter Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market reports.
In the United States, the average selling price for a new light vehicle came to around 47,010 U.S. dollars in 2023. New light vehicles were about 1.6 percent more expensive in 2023 than in 2022. What is the price of a new car in the U.S.?
A recent study by Edmunds revealed that in the third quarter of 2024, the average new car cost $47,542—$20,365 more than the average used car, which sold for $27,177.
A person making $60,000 per year can afford about a $40,000 car based on calculating 15% of their monthly take-home pay and a 20% down payment on the car of $7,900. However, every person's finances are different and you might find that a car payment of approximately $600 per month is not affordable for you.
Financial experts recommend spending no more than 10% of your monthly take-home pay on your car payment and no more than 15% to 20% on total car costs such as gas, insurance and maintenance as well as the payment. If that leaves you feeling you can afford only a beat-up jalopy, don't despair.
It depends on how much income you have after your bills and expenses. But as a rule of thumb, your car payment should not exceed 15% of your post-tax monthly pay. For example, if after taxes, you make the U.S. median income of $37,773, you could shop for a car that costs up to $472 per month.
The vast majority of car buyers use an auto loan to finance their purchase, but cash has become more popular in recent years. In the third quarter of 2023, roughly 21% of new car buyers paid with cash instead of using a loan, according to Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market, up from about 14% in 2021.
With higher floor plan costs, rising lot inventories and incentive spending on the rise, dealers will be motivated to negotiate. Therefore, the longer you can wait to buy a car in 2023, the more likely you'll be able to negotiate thousands off of your deal.
Did you know that the average car allowance for 2023 is $575? 🚗 What makes this number intriguing is that this amount has remained static since 2020, despite the steadily increasing costs associated with owning and operating a vehicle.
For large luxury models, $1,000-plus payments are the norm. Even a handful of buyers with subcompact cars have four-figure payments, likely due to having shorter loan terms, poor credit, and still owing money on previous car loans, according to Edmunds analysts.
Your monthly auto loan payments should not exceed 10 to 15 percent of your pre-tax take-home salary. Due to increased vehicle incentives, drivers may find relief when shopping for a vehicle this year. To secure the best deal, work to improve your credit score and consider making a sizeable down payment.
If you are offered a 2% interest rate for three years (or 36 months), 3% for four years (48 months), 4% for five years (60 months), and 5% for six years (72 months), your monthly payments for a $40,000 loan will be as follows: Three years – $1,146. Four years – $885. Five years – $737.
How much would a $30,000 car cost per month? This all depends on the sales tax, the down payment, the interest rate and the length of the loan. But just as a ballpark estimate, assuming $3,000 down, an interest rate of 5.8% and a 60-month loan, the monthly payment would be about $520.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Large Down Payment? Providing more money down doesn't guarantee a lower interest rate, and it can cut into your savings. Depending on the vehicle you choose to buy, 50% can be a lot of money to put down on an auto loan.
The 20/4/10 Ratio for Car Financing
If you plan to finance your car purchase, follow the 20/4/10 rule: 20% down, loan no longer than 4 years, and keep total car payment – including insurance – to a maximum of 10% of your gross monthly income.
Excellent Credit (750+): 3% or lower for new cars, 4% or lower for used cars. Good Credit (700-749): 4-5% for new cars, 5-6% for used cars. Fair Credit (650-699): 6-7% for new cars, 7-8% for used cars. Poor Credit (600-649): 8-10% for new cars, 10-13% for used cars.