Consumers in the West Spend the Most on Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs, but the Midwest Has Seen the Biggest 10-Year Change
Chloe Della Costa is a freelance copy editor and writer with a degree from Bard College. She specializes in copy editing and fact-checking content related to personal finance, insurance, and business.
Average vehicle maintenance and repair spending has grown over the past 10 years.
As vehicle technology becomes more advanced, cars become more expensive to fix. Inflation and supply chain disruptions caused rising repair prices, says Rob Bhatt, LendingTree auto insurance expert and a licensed insurance agent, and those increases may not subside for a bit.
The latest LendingTree study analyzes Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on vehicle maintenance and repair costs across demographics from region, age and race to education level and income. While vehicle owners across the U.S. are paying more to maintain and fix their cars, some consumers are facing heavier financial burdens than others.
Key findings
- Average vehicle maintenance and repair spending is highest in the West. Western consumers spent the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs — $1,338, on average — in 2022. The West was followed by the Midwest ($1,208), Northeast ($1,080) and South ($1,065). Across the U.S., the average was $1,160. The Midwest, though, saw the biggest percentage change (52.9%) in vehicle maintenance and repair spending between 2012 and 2022.
- By age group, consumers 35 to 44 saw the biggest spending increase on vehicle maintenance and repairs over the 10 years analyzed. Related spending among this age group rose 51.3%, ahead of those 45 to 54 (48.8%). Meanwhile, only one age group — those younger than 25 — saw a single-digit increase in the same period (6.8%). No other age range analyzed had a jump below 38.5%.
- Across every demographic examined, Black Americans’ vehicle maintenance and repair spending jumped the most. Related vehicle spending spiked 77.2% between 2012 and 2022 among Black Americans — nearly double the 40.0% increase among white Americans and all other races. The only other tracked race — Asian Americans — saw spending jump 30.5% over this period.
- Americans without a high school diploma saw their spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs jump the most among education levels, but it started at the lowest point. Spending among those without a high school diploma increased 66.3% — from an average of $353 to $587 — between 2012 and 2022. The lowest percentage change was among those whose highest education was an associate degree, at 21.6%.
- By income, the lowest range of earners (less than $15,000) and the highest ($200,000 and more) saw the largest jumps in vehicle maintenance and repair spending. These groups saw increases of 60.1% and 43.8%, respectively, between 2015 (the latest available by income) and 2022. Only one income range — those making $150,000 to $199,999 annually — saw a single-digit increase (1.6%). This was the lowest among any demographic tracked.
Average vehicle maintenance and repair spending highest in the West
In 2022, consumers spent an average of $1,160 on vehicle maintenance and repairs.
By region, the average was highest in the West, at $1,338. A 2021 CarMD study found three of the five states with the highest repair costs were in the West — California (No. 1), Colorado (No. 3) and Utah (No. 5).
By comparison, consumers in the South spent the least on maintenance and repairs for their vehicles ($1,065). Vehicle owners in the Midwest and Northeast fell in the middle.
Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs by region, 2022
| Rank | Region | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | U.S. | $1,160 |
| 1 | West | $1,338 |
| 2 | Midwest | $1,208 |
| 3 | Northeast | $1,080 |
| 4 | South | $1,065 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys.
No matter the region, vehicle maintenance and repair spending increased tremendously between 2012 and 2022. Over the 10 years analyzed, consumers in the Midwest experienced a dramatic 52.9% rise in vehicle maintenance and repair costs. And despite Southern consumers having the lowest average spending in 2012 and 2022, the region saw the second-largest increase (46.5%) in this period.
In 2012, average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs was $814. That equals a 42.5% increase across the 10 years analyzed.
% change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs by region, 2012 to 2022
| Rank | Region | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2012 | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2022 | % change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2012 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | U.S. | $814 | $1,160 | 42.5% |
| 1 | Midwest | $790 | $1,208 | 52.9% |
| 2 | South | $727 | $1,065 | 46.5% |
| 3 | West | $982 | $1,338 | 36.3% |
| 4 | Northeast | $815 | $1,080 | 32.5% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys.
By age group, consumers 35 to 44 register the biggest spending increase over the 10 years analyzed
Our analysis shows that consumers ages 35 to 44 saw the biggest spending increase (51.3%) on vehicle maintenance and repairs between 2012 and 2022. Consumers in this age bracket spent an average of $834 on vehicle maintenance and repairs in 2012. By comparison, they spent $1,262, on average, in 2022.
Meanwhile, those younger than 25 saw the lowest spending increase on vehicle maintenance in the period examined. In 2012, consumers in this age group spent an average of $486 on these types of expenses. Ten years later, the average spending increased by 6.8% to $519.
% change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs by age range, 2012 to 2022
| Rank | Age range | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2012 | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2022 | % change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2012 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35 to 44 | $834 | $1,262 | 51.3% |
| 2 | 45 to 54 | $988 | $1,470 | 48.8% |
| 3 | 65 and older | $667 | $968 | 45.1% |
| 4 | 25 to 34 | $707 | $993 | 40.5% |
| 5 | 55 to 64 | $998 | $1,382 | 38.5% |
| 6 | Younger than 25 | $486 | $519 | 6.8% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys.
Some consumers may have more money to invest in their vehicles than others. According to BLS data, consumers ages 35 to 44 earn the highest median incomes among all groups tracked. Meanwhile, consumers younger than 25 bring in significantly lower median weekly earnings.
Across every demographic examined, Black Americans’ spending up the most
When examining spending by race — Black, Asian, and white and all other races — analysts found that one group saw a disproportionate rise compared to others. Black Americans saw a whopping 77.2% jump in vehicle maintenance and repair spending between 2012 and 2022 — nearly double the increase among white Americans and all other races (including Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Pacific Islanders and those reporting more than one race).
According to 2021 U.S. Census Bureau data, the median household income among Black Americans was $48,297, versus $77,999 among white households. Further, 19.5% of Black households were living at the poverty level, compared with 10.0% of white households.
% change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs by race, 2012 to 2022
| Rank | Race | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2012 | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2022 | % change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2012 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | $583 | $1,033 | 77.2% |
| 2 | White and all other races | $851 | $1,191 | 40.0% |
| 3 | Asian | $775 | $1,011 | 30.5% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys.
“People with less money aren’t able to purchase new cars as frequently,” Bhatt says. “New cars tend to run well as long as drivers perform routine maintenance, which is another cost of vehicle ownership. Older cars and cars not maintained properly are more likely to break down. This can leave those with the fewest resources to afford car repairs having to pay the most.”
A 2020 LendingTree survey also found that Black vehicle owners were the most likely to have been in car repair debt, potentially due to a surge in maintenance spending.
Among education levels, Americans without a high school diploma see the biggest spending jump
By education level, Americans without a high school diploma had the lowest spending ($353) on vehicle maintenance and repairs in 2012 (and 2022). At the same time, this group also saw the largest increase (66.3%) in spending in this period.
Comparatively, college graduates spent more on vehicle maintenance and repairs in both years. But their spending increases over the 10 years analyzed were far less pronounced.
% change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs by education level, 2012 to 2022
| Rank | Education level | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2012 | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2022 | % change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2012 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Less than high school diploma | $353 | $587 | 66.3% |
| 2 | High school graduate | $595 | $801 | 34.6% |
| 3 | Bachelor's degree | $1,010 | $1,356 | 34.3% |
| 4 | Master's, professional or doctoral degree | $1,212 | $1,521 | 25.5% |
| 5 | Associate degree | $893 | $1,086 | 21.6% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys.
There are strong correlations between a person’s education level and their earning potential. According to 2022 BLS data, median earnings for workers with less than a high school diploma were $682 a week. Workers with an associate or bachelor’s degree earned a median of $1,005 and $1,432, respectively, a week.
By income, the lowest and highest ranges of earners saw the largest increases
Consumers who make less than $15,000 and those who make $200,000 and more saw the highest increases in vehicle spending between 2015 and 2022. These two groups account for the highest and lowest income earners among the tracked categories. (Note: Income range data starts in 2015 rather than 2012, so the period examined is narrower.)
Americans with incomes between $150,000 and $199,999 saw a single-digit increase (1.6%) — the lowest among all demographics analyzed. But aside from those earning $200,000 and above, this group had the highest average spending in 2015 (and 2022).
% change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs by income range, 2015 to 2022
| Rank | Income range | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2015 | Average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2022 | % change in average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs, 2015 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Less than $15,000 | $321 | $514 | 60.1% |
| 2 | $200,000 and more | $1,586 | $2,281 | 43.8% |
| 3 | $30,000 to $39,999 | $677 | $931 | 37.5% |
| 4 | $15,000 to $29,999 | $510 | $619 | 21.4% |
| 5 | $70,000 to $99,999 | $1,009 | $1,204 | 19.3% |
| 6 | $50,000 to $69,999 | $880 | $1,014 | 15.2% |
| 7 | $100,000 to $149,999 | $1,299 | $1,497 | 15.2% |
| 8 | $40,000 to $49,999 | $750 | $830 | 10.7% |
| 9 | $150,000 to $199,999 | $1,543 | $1,568 | 1.6% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys.
3 strategies to reduce car repair and maintenance costs
Whether buying a car, maintaining a vehicle or paying for repairs, vehicle-related expenses are much higher than in the past. It’s important to find ways to save money wherever possible.
Below are three helpful strategies for vehicle owners to reduce repair and maintenance costs:
- Develop good driving habits. Driving responsibly can reduce your chances of being involved in an accident. As a bonus, good driving habits might also make finding affordable car insurance rates easier.
- Don’t delay car maintenance. “Tending to routine maintenance is one way to stop small maintenance issues with your car from turning into a larger, costly issue,” Bhatt says. “Something as simple as replacing your battery when it reaches the end of its normal life can help you avoid more serious problems with your car’s electrical system.”
- Get multiple quotes. Just as you should compare multiple quotes when you shop for car insurance, the same principle applies when finding a repair shop. “If you need repairs, get estimates from a few shops,” Bhatt says. “The shop that performs the regular maintenance on your vehicle is a good place to start.”
Methodology
LendingTree researchers analyzed U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys data from 2012, 2015 and 2022 — the latest available. We analyzed average spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs by:
- Region
- Age range
- Race
- Education level
- Income
We analyzed average regional spending in 2022, as well as the percentage change in vehicle maintenance and repair spending between 2012 and 2022 across the available demographics. (Income was analyzed between 2015 and 2022 due to data availability.)
By region:
- Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
- South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
- Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
In the race demographic, “all other races” includes races such as Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Pacific Islanders and those reporting more than one race.