Car Ownership Statistics in the US

Name: Car Ownership Statistics in the US
Item: Car Ownership Statistics in the US
Author: Nathan Paulus

More than 276 million vehicles were registered in the U.S. in 2019, a 6% increase in the last five years. California recorded the highest registrations among all states with 31,247,270. Meanwhile, the Ogden-Clearfield, Utah metropolitan area had an average of 2.2 cars per household, the highest among the metros.

Contributions by 2 experts

Updated: May 20, 2024

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Owning a car is a big goal for many Americans. Whether it’s for convenience or necessity, a sign of accomplishment or a rite of passage into adulthood, having a car provides access to new opportunities. For many car owners, having their own wheels improves commuting to school or work and offers easier access to necessities and services. It’s because of these factors and more that car ownership rates continue to increase.

However, there is limited to no access to vehicles for some. Based on where you live, a car may not be a necessity, may be too costly, or other transportation options are more accessible, affordable or convenient. Learn more about the data, statistics and trends to better understand the factors impacting car ownership in the U.S.

The total number of vehicle registrations in the U.S. reached 276,491,174 in 2019. California recorded the highest registrations among all states with 31,247,2710 registrations.

The total number of registered vehicles increased by 6% in the last five years. Year over year, car registration grew by approximately 2.9 million.

The average car is driven 14,774 miles per year in the U.S. Wyoming had the most annual miles per car at 20,436 annually.

Approximately 8.7% of Americans still have no access to vehicles.

In 2020, the average age of cars in the U.S. is 11.9 years.

Car Ownership & Usage Trends

Based on the number of registered vehicles, total car owners increased in 2019. That said, 8.7% of Americans did not have access to a vehicle during the same year.

Depending on the state and city where you live, car ownership statistics may vary. Among all states, California recorded the highest total registrations. Meanwhile, Ogden-Clearfield, Utah had the greatest number of car owners among metropolitan areas.

The Number of Registered Vehicles in the U.S.

The total number of cars registered in the country reached 276,491,171 in 2019. That is 6% higher compared to the number of vehicles registered in 2014, which was 260,350,940.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, the increase can be attributed to 272,402,478 private and commercial motor vehicles and 4,088,696 publicly-owned cars.

Generally, with the increase in population, more people is likely a significant contributing factor to the increase in car ownership.

Car ownership comes with many responsibilities and expenses, such as maintenance, service and car insurance, which varies in price state-by-state. However, a recent study showed that consumers tend to underestimate the true cost of car ownership and that assumption leads to more private car purchases.

Percentage of Americans Without Access to a Vehicle

With the increase in car registration numbers, it may appear that access to vehicles in the U.S. improved as well. However, approximately 8.7% of Americans, or more than 28 million, still had no access to vehicles in 2019.

Highly urbanized, Washington D.C. and New York state had the highest rate of people without access to a vehicle with 35% and 29%, respectively. On the other hand, Utah had the lowest rate with 4%.

The percentage decrease of people with no vehicle access in the U.S. throughout the last five years could be attributed to the rise in car ownership. This could be attributed to the increase in urban populations and the underestimation of the true cost of owning a vehicle. Additionally, with the disparity in income and wealth, people of color in the U.S. tend to have less access to cars than white Americans.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

From Jamie Page Deaton, Editor-in-Chief of Car Talk: Low income people in rural areas are most affected by lack of access to vehicles, because those areas do not have the public transportation infrastructure or dense development to support living without a car. Living in a rural area and not having access to a car will severely limit an individual's options for work, healthcare, education and other necessities.

Average Cars Per Household

On average, American households had 1.79 cars as of 2019, or roughly two vehicles per household. This average was similar in 2018.

One possible reason for this is because younger Americans’ driving behaviors have decreased. Millennials are reported to be less likely to own a vehicle compared to Generation X. They also drive 8% less or an average of only three miles per day.

Vehicle Ownership By State

Car ownership statistics vary per state. California reported the highest number of registered vehicles in 2019 with a total of 31,247,270. It is followed by Texas (23,007,145), Florida (17,833,719), New York (11,389,158) and Ohio (10,901,279).

Conversely, Vermont and Alaska had the lowest number of registered vehicles with 620,428 and 795,274, respectively.

State	Registered Vehicles, 2019	Avg Cars per Household, 2019	% With No Access, 2019
Alabama	5,288,209	1.92	6.03%
Alaska	795,274	1.81	9.93%
Arizona	5,982,559	1.84	5.97%
Arkansas	2,902,111	1.84	6.39%
California	31,247,270	1.92	7.07%
Colorado	5,412,403	1.96	5.14%
Connecticut	2,878,547	1.77	8.66%
Delaware	1,016,927	1.81	5.67%
Delaware	1,016,927	1.81	5.67%
Florida	17,833,719	1.70	6.15%
Georgia	8,594,567	1.86	6.44%
Hawaii	1,272,361	1.85	7.71%
Idaho	1,954,528	2.13	4.10%
Illinois	10,691,947	1.67	11.06%
Indiana	6,223,459	1.87	6.49%
Iowa	3,786,328	1.95	6.06%
Kansas	2,682,337	1.96	5.34%
Kentucky	4,383,222	1.85	7.24%
Louisiana	3,802,746	1.68	8.52%
Maine	1,130,055	1.80	6.36%
Maryland	4,203,994	1.80	9.09%
Massachusetts	5,061,260	1.62	12.42%
Michigan	8,440,064	1.77	7.52%
Minnesota	5,425,884	1.89	6.60%
Mississippi	2,066,680	1.86	6.49%
Missouri	5,534,289	1.84	6.93%
Montana	1,900,806	2.07	4.59%
Nebraska	1,968,480	1.98	5.39%
Nevada	2,546,583	1.81	7.07%
New Hampshire	1,363,379	1.90	5.29%
New Jersey	6,033,015	1.68	11.56%
New Mexico	1,825,421	1.91	5.84%
New York	11,389,158	1.25	29.37%
North Carolina	8,527,388	1.91	5.80%
North Dakota	903,668	1.97	5.34%
Ohio	10,901,279	1.79	7.72%
Oklahoma	3,706,624	1.90	5.62%
Oregon	3,919,158	1.88	7.75%
Pennsylvania	10,800,315	1.69	11.00%
Rhode Island	868,942	1.67	9.73%
South Carolina	4,516,143	1.87	5.95%
South Dakota	1,280,969	2.04	5.10%
Tennessee	5,817,887	1.93	5.65%
Texas	23,007,145	1.87	5.39%
Utah	2,430,276	2.15	3.85%
Vermont	620,428	1.74	6.87%
Virginia	7,647,691	1.94	6.14%
Washington	7,377,028	1.93	7.11%
West Virginia	1,668,114	1.76	9.28%
Wisconsin	5,666,399	1.83	6.71%
Wyoming	843,672	2.14	4.37%

An illustration of a person looking at their phone to learn more about vehicle ownership in Nevada.

Vehicle Ownership By City

The average number of car owners also varies by U.S. city. Los Angeles ranked the highest in car ownership with 2,276,974 registered vehicles in 2019. With a population of nearly 1.4 million people, it had 87.9% rate of vehicle ownership and an average of 1.63 cars per household.

Meanwhile, Union, New Jersey, had the least number of car owners with 20,603 for 25,581 households. That means 60.6% of households in the city had a vehicle.

City	Rates of Vehicle Ownership, 2019	# of Households, 2019	# of Vehicles per Household, 2019
New York, New York	44.56%	3,211,033	0.62
Newark, New Jersey	59.52%	102,155	0.87
Union City, New Jersey	60.57%	25,581	0.81
Jersey City, New Jersey	61.77%	108,939	0.85
Boston, Massachusetts	64.31%	271,553	0.95
Washington, District of Columbia	65.06%	291,570	0.89
Cambridge, Massachusetts	67.14%	47,374	0.89
Passaic, New Jersey	67.26%	19,956	1.03
San Francisco, California	67.65%	365,851	1.03
East Orange, New Jersey	69.22%	27,960	1.03
Paterson, New Jersey	69.91%	43,172	1.13
Miami Beach, Florida	70.11%	40,084	0.98
Trenton, New Jersey	70.16%	28,246	1.11
Mount Vernon, New York	70.41%	26,535	1.16
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	70.60%	619,505	1.04
Baltimore, Maryland	71.28%	242,694	1.11
Camden, New Jersey	71.68%	24,051	1.12
Chicago, Illinois	72.22%	1,080,345	1.09
Buffalo, New York	73.05%	109,163	1.15
New Haven, Connecticut	73.40%	46,982	1.15
Lawrence, Massachusetts	74.58%	27,844	1.23
Rochester, New York	74.69%	87,679	1.14
Reading, Pennsylvania	75.37%	29,325	1.23
Bayonne, New Jersey	75.43%	25,939	1.15
Elizabeth, New Jersey	75.56%	40,227	1.21
Yonkers, New York	75.77%	74,854	1.21
Syracuse, New York	75.96%	57,114	1.13
San Juan, Puerto Rico	76.53%	135,460	1.19
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	76.57%	143,276	1.17
Somerville, Massachusetts	76.63%	32,120	1.17
Springfield, Massachusetts	77.07%	54,922	1.28
Hartford, Connecticut	77.09%	48,168	1.17
Detroit, Michigan	77.43%	267,139	1.19
Bridgeport, Connecticut	77.50%	50,103	1.35
Wilmington, Delaware	77.85%	31,754	1.06
Berkeley, California	78.76%	44,551	1.31
Flint, Michigan	78.93%	40,121	1.25
Schenectady, New York	78.95%	26,574	1.20
Cleveland, Ohio	79.27%	171,632	1.21
Gary, Indiana	79.41%	29,466	1.32
Albany, New York	79.92%	42,408	1.24
New Bedford, Massachusetts	80.02%	39,216	1.33
Waterbury, Connecticut	80.02%	42,113	1.33
St. Louis, Missouri	80.25%	146,779	1.28
Seattle, Washington	80.66%	343,988	1.32
Ponce, Puerto Rico	80.72%	44,413	1.25
Dayton, Ohio	80.91%	56,520	1.35
Allentown, Pennsylvania	80.99%	40,959	1.39
Cincinnati, Ohio	81.20%	137,582	1.36
Youngstown, Ohio	81.23%	29,102	1.28
Miami, Florida	81.34%	189,084	1.27
Caguas, Puerto Rico	81.36%	28,623	1.30
Fall River, Massachusetts	81.41%	37,899	1.36
New Rochelle, New York	81.87%	32,251	1.37
Providence, Rhode Island	81.91%	62,046	1.28
Erie, Pennsylvania	82.17%	39,790	1.26
Worcester, Massachusetts	82.46%	69,125	1.42
Canton, Ohio	82.77%	31,981	1.31
Brockton, Massachusetts	82.78%	31,440	1.49
Milwaukee, Wisconsin	82.91%	232,176	1.35
Muncie, Indiana	83.19%	26,772	1.46
Urban Honolulu, Hawaii	83.25%	131,873	1.39
Silver Spring, Maryland	83.26%	31,712	1.37
Scranton, Pennsylvania	83.70%	30,923	1.43
Lynn, Massachusetts	83.81%	31,833	1.50
New Orleans, Louisiana	83.89%	151,753	1.31
Albany, Georgia	84.27%	25,640	1.36
New Britain, Connecticut	84.76%	29,359	1.48
Racine, Wisconsin	84.85%	31,303	1.57
Quincy, Massachusetts	84.96%	42,242	1.31
Minneapolis, Minnesota	84.99%	181,833	1.36
Oakland, California	85.05%	168,413	1.45
Atlanta, Georgia	85.14%	223,736	1.34
Portland, Oregon	85.17%	280,176	1.48
Richmond, Virginia	85.19%	89,878	1.47
Evanston, Illinois	85.34%	27,877	1.29
Shreveport, Louisiana	85.51%	73,114	1.47
Lowell, Massachusetts	85.51%	41,753	1.55
Toledo, Ohio	85.54%	121,022	1.43
Pawtucket, Rhode Island	85.97%	28,452	1.44
Peoria, Illinois	86.12%	46,130	1.51
Fort Myers, Florida	86.35%	30,754	1.45
Lauderhill, Florida	86.37%	24,628	1.36
Portland, Maine	86.55%	30,900	1.49
Waterloo, Iowa	86.57%	27,914	1.66
Birmingham, Alabama	86.67%	93,300	1.47
Bayamón, Puerto Rico	86.70%	62,502	1.50
Lafayette, Indiana	86.97%	33,086	1.49
Grand Rapids, Michigan	87.00%	77,128	1.55
Savannah, Georgia	87.02%	53,371	1.46
St. Paul, Minnesota	87.03%	110,782	1.57
Framingham, Massachusetts	87.05%	27,005	1.64
Cicero, Illinois	87.19%	22,399	1.66
Sunrise Manor, Nevada	87.20%	62,646	1.61
Newport News, Virginia	87.25%	70,918	1.61
Paradise, Nevada	87.25%	94,188	1.49
Akron, Ohio	87.25%	83,821	1.48
Madison, Wisconsin	87.35%	114,096	1.44
Rockford, Illinois	87.47%	57,463	1.59
Arlington, Virginia	87.49%	111,887	1.40
Kalamazoo, Michigan	87.52%	30,858	1.49
Brentwood, New York	87.65%	13,737	2.27
Hammond, Indiana	87.67%	29,402	1.56
St. Joseph, Missouri	87.77%	29,399	1.61
Greenville, North Carolina	87.79%	37,402	1.58
Davis, California	87.86%	26,367	1.68
Los Angeles, California	87.89%	1,398,900	1.63
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	87.93%	29,213	1.53
Norfolk, Virginia	88.00%	88,387	1.57
Bloomington, Indiana	88.07%	30,072	1.48
Hialeah, Florida	88.07%	75,989	1.63
South Bend, Indiana	88.18%	41,196	1.54
Eugene, Oregon	88.21%	73,331	1.55
Macon-Bibb, Georgia	88.21%	56,726	1.61
Davenport, Iowa	88.22%	41,123	1.64
Columbia, South Carolina	88.28%	45,474	1.52
Pompano Beach, Florida	88.40%	44,297	1.44
North Little Rock, Arkansas	88.41%	27,903	1.50
Deerfield Beach, Florida	88.44%	33,439	1.46
Knoxville, Tennessee	88.47%	83,492	1.55
Alexandria, Virginia	88.48%	71,005	1.35
Lorain, Ohio	88.50%	24,947	1.48
Baton Rouge, Louisiana	88.51%	82,097	1.47
Santa Barbara, California	88.60%	38,674	1.57
Memphis, Tennessee	88.66%	254,423	1.53
Champaign, Illinois	88.68%	35,865	1.41
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico	88.70%	26,131	1.62
Cheektowaga, New York	88.81%	35,691	1.48
Roanoke, Virginia	88.82%	40,810	1.53
Kansas City, Kansas	88.87%	56,873	1.68
Iowa City, Iowa	88.89%	32,850	1.57
Lansing, Michigan	88.98%	51,035	1.39
Denver, Colorado	89.07%	318,445	1.57
Pharr, Texas	89.15%	23,126	1.65
Spokane, Washington	89.23%	95,222	1.69
Evansville, Indiana	89.26%	50,692	1.56
Carolina, Puerto Rico	89.27%	54,004	1.44
Springfield, Missouri	89.37%	80,693	1.42
Tucson, Arizona	89.39%	217,993	1.55
Winston-Salem, North Carolina	89.46%	94,884	1.64
Portsmouth, Virginia	89.56%	36,089	1.61
Pueblo, Colorado	89.57%	44,945	1.68
Salt Lake City, Utah	89.57%	81,839	1.63
Sandy Springs, Georgia	89.59%	52,820	1.54
Santa Monica, California	89.62%	45,096	1.40
Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky	89.62%	252,784	1.63
Ann Arbor, Michigan	89.63%	45,827	1.48
Medford, Oregon	89.65%	33,047	1.69
Glendale, California	89.71%	74,197	1.61
Bellevue, Washington	89.72%	59,316	1.63
Lake Charles, Louisiana	89.73%	32,614	1.58
Wilmington, North Carolina	89.77%	54,673	1.53
East Los Angeles, California	89.84%	30,676	1.88
Gainesville, Florida	89.85%	51,990	1.47
Fresno, California	89.86%	172,815	1.74
Greenville, South Carolina	89.88%	32,250	1.56
Tempe, Arizona	89.91%	76,669	1.61
Clearwater, Florida	89.92%	48,641	1.48
Kansas City, Missouri	89.92%	209,768	1.62
Dallas, Texas	89.93%	518,998	1.56
Victoria, Texas	90.00%	21,806	1.69
Las Vegas, Nevada	90.00%	235,628	1.66
Des Moines, Iowa	90.01%	91,045	1.69
Westland, Michigan	90.02%	35,324	1.56
Waukegan, Illinois	90.05%	29,100	1.61
Lawton, Oklahoma	90.05%	32,174	1.57
Stamford, Connecticut	90.07%	49,707	1.60
Fort Smith, Arkansas	90.10%	36,210	1.58
Fort Lauderdale, Florida	90.17%	76,348	1.50
Springfield, Illinois	90.18%	49,544	1.49
Southfield, Michigan	90.20%	34,836	1.45
Duluth, Minnesota	90.21%	37,374	1.68
Daytona Beach, Florida	90.28%	28,839	1.47
Boulder, Colorado	90.37%	42,462	1.62
Little Rock, Arkansas	90.48%	80,063	1.64
Auburn, Washington	90.50%	29,665	1.84
Topeka, Kansas	90.50%	54,066	1.60
Jackson, Tennessee	90.51%	25,925	1.64
Bryan, Texas	90.51%	31,053	1.59
Columbus, Georgia	90.52%	73,134	1.70
Sioux City, Iowa	90.56%	31,968	1.80
Richmond, California	90.58%	36,634	1.81
Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia	90.62%	66,838	1.65
El Monte, California	90.62%	31,535	1.98
El Cajon, California	90.63%	32,139	1.80
Houston, Texas	90.67%	876,504	1.60
Asheville, North Carolina	90.68%	40,340	1.52
Athens-Clarke County, Georgia	90.68%	51,640	1.69
Lakeland, Florida	90.70%	40,236	1.50
Wyoming, Michigan	90.73%	28,313	1.79
Escondido, California	90.75%	51,364	1.85
Johnson City, Tennessee	90.84%	30,724	1.70
Rochester, Minnesota	90.94%	50,479	1.66
Beaverton, Oregon	90.97%	43,659	1.59
Sacramento, California	90.98%	191,911	1.74
Redding, California	90.99%	37,757	1.81
Long Beach, California	91.01%	165,689	1.71
Daly City, California	91.04%	31,289	1.95
Decatur, Illinois	91.04%	29,772	1.48
St. Cloud, Minnesota	91.04%	27,322	1.62
Wichita Falls, Texas	91.06%	37,332	1.66
Mobile, Alabama	91.06%	77,628	1.68
Renton, Washington	91.08%	39,908	1.78
Green Bay, Wisconsin	91.22%	43,004	1.71
Greensboro, North Carolina	91.24%	118,046	1.65
Lafayette, Louisiana	91.24%	52,267	1.59
Kennewick, Washington	91.27%	31,230	1.84
Pine Hills, Florida	91.35%	24,507	1.67
San Antonio, Texas	91.36%	512,273	1.70
Oshkosh, Wisconsin	91.41%	26,794	1.60
Gresham, Oregon	91.42%	40,604	1.82
West Palm Beach, Florida	91.43%	41,678	1.41
Indianapolis, Indiana	91.45%	340,639	1.60
Fargo, North Dakota	91.48%	57,118	1.60
Gulfport, Mississippi	91.51%	25,559	1.53
Reno, Nevada	91.52%	110,118	1.75
Sunrise, Florida	91.53%	39,427	1.63
Metairie, Louisiana	91.54%	56,421	1.54
Columbus, Ohio	91.58%	368,491	1.56
Durham, North Carolina	91.58%	114,726	1.65
Skokie, Illinois	91.60%	20,060	1.74
Missoula, Montana	91.61%	33,448	1.73
Bellingham, Washington	91.64%	38,664	1.66
Hemet, California	91.68%	28,412	1.64
Tulsa, Oklahoma	91.69%	163,801	1.67
Alameda, California	91.72%	30,788	1.62
Tampa, Florida	91.73%	153,918	1.58
Arden-Arcade, California	91.73%	42,309	1.63
Brownsville, Texas	91.74%	55,052	1.77
Harlingen, Texas	91.76%	22,901	1.55
Miami Gardens, Florida	91.79%	32,171	1.70
Burbank, California	91.80%	43,167	1.62
San Bernardino, California	91.81%	60,308	1.93
Stockton, California	91.81%	96,149	1.90
Cranston, Rhode Island	91.82%	31,182	1.64
Glendale, Arizona	91.84%	81,065	1.84
Glen Burnie, Maryland	91.84%	29,669	1.90
Homestead, Florida	91.84%	20,320	1.57
Vancouver, Washington	91.85%	75,199	1.72
Redmond, Washington	91.90%	29,881	1.51
North Charleston, South Carolina	91.91%	47,066	1.57
Clifton, New Jersey	91.92%	28,207	1.71
Jackson, Mississippi	92.00%	61,590	1.64
Omaha, Nebraska	92.00%	188,824	1.71
Independence, Missouri	92.04%	47,329	1.72
Everett, Washington	92.05%	44,219	1.69
Dearborn, Michigan	92.09%	30,304	1.69
Yakima, Washington	92.13%	33,424	1.91
Port Charlotte, Florida	92.17%	24,367	1.61
Bend, Oregon	92.17%	39,371	1.89
Tacoma, Washington	92.17%	87,016	1.75
Dothan, Alabama	92.19%	27,103	1.65
Bellflower, California	92.24%	23,369	2.04
Tallahassee, Florida	92.26%	76,684	1.58
Chattanooga, Tennessee	92.27%	79,565	1.63
South Gate, California	92.28%	23,559	2.04
Charleston, South Carolina	92.29%	58,902	1.66
Joliet, Illinois	92.30%	48,724	1.85
Rock Hill, South Carolina	92.30%	32,341	1.65
Salem, Oregon	92.32%	61,087	1.83
El Paso, Texas	92.33%	223,076	1.82
Lynwood, California	92.35%	15,142	2.10
Montgomery, Alabama	92.36%	78,225	1.65
Florence-Graham, California	92.37%	14,973	2.00
Tuscaloosa, Alabama	92.37%	36,779	1.66
Ogden, Utah	92.37%	30,509	1.77
Mountain View, California	92.38%	35,456	1.63
Santa Cruz, California	92.41%	22,166	1.79
Manchester, New Hampshire	92.43%	46,435	1.69
Albuquerque, New Mexico	92.45%	227,179	1.73
Killeen, Texas	92.45%	57,079	1.77
Temple, Texas	92.46%	28,819	1.68
Hampton, Virginia	92.46%	55,633	1.75
Inglewood, California	92.49%	34,440	1.73
Bowling Green, Kentucky	92.50%	27,178	1.53
San Marcos, California	92.52%	30,852	2.01
Danbury, Connecticut	92.52%	32,310	1.72
Warwick, Rhode Island	92.54%	34,833	1.71
Lodi, California	92.54%	22,733	1.92
Jacksonville, Florida	92.57%	349,171	1.65
Federal Way, Washington	92.57%	34,971	1.87
Kirkland, Washington	92.60%	36,115	1.80
Elgin, Illinois	92.63%	36,849	1.83
Westminster, California	92.63%	26,984	2.08
Kenner, Louisiana	92.64%	26,151	1.70
Warren, Michigan	92.65%	52,359	1.73
Pembroke Pines, Florida	92.65%	57,399	1.72
Phoenix, Arizona	92.67%	586,878	1.79
Lehigh Acres, Florida	92.67%	38,662	1.75
Hayward, California	92.68%	47,826	2.03
Columbia, Missouri	92.68%	46,841	1.66
Fort Wayne, Indiana	92.69%	105,414	1.70
Amarillo, Texas	92.71%	76,207	1.79
Hollywood, Florida	92.77%	55,172	1.63
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	92.79%	249,615	1.74
Pasadena, California	92.80%	56,668	1.66
Austin, Texas	92.81%	409,903	1.62
Chico, California	92.87%	37,040	1.80
Baytown, Texas	92.87%	26,978	1.86
San Buenaventura (Ventura), California	92.88%	40,513	1.85
Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky	92.89%	131,929	1.68
Gastonia, North Carolina	92.91%	27,796	1.78
Largo, Florida	92.91%	33,687	1.46
Ames, Iowa	92.92%	26,347	1.80
Rapid City, South Dakota	92.95%	31,387	1.77
Bloomington, Illinois	92.98%	31,564	1.59
Fayetteville, North Carolina	93.00%	82,087	1.65
Wichita, Kansas	93.01%	153,454	1.81
Merced, California	93.07%	25,005	1.92
Corpus Christi, Texas	93.09%	119,184	1.78
Odessa, Texas	93.10%	42,465	1.87
Rockville, Maryland	93.12%	26,360	1.60
Bakersfield, California	93.12%	116,558	1.96
Fayetteville, Arkansas	93.12%	36,705	1.73
Auburn, Alabama	93.13%	26,156	1.81
High Point, North Carolina	93.13%	40,877	1.75
Appleton, Wisconsin	93.14%	31,049	1.67
Pomona, California	93.15%	40,579	2.14
Kenosha, Wisconsin	93.18%	38,042	1.69
Carmichael, California	93.19%	26,577	1.81
Hillsboro, Oregon	93.22%	38,085	1.83
Walnut Creek, California	93.24%	31,558	1.62
Norwalk, Connecticut	93.26%	33,616	1.79
Lynchburg, Virginia	93.29%	28,950	1.79
Perris, California	93.31%	17,582	2.24
Frederick, Maryland	93.35%	29,293	1.71
Yuma, Arizona	93.41%	34,971	1.76
Melbourne, Florida	93.43%	31,680	1.59
Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee	93.43%	279,545	1.68
Kissimmee, Florida	93.44%	22,709	1.49
Spokane Valley, Washington	93.45%	41,483	1.90
Charlotte, North Carolina	93.47%	342,448	1.65
Las Cruces, New Mexico	93.49%	40,185	1.85
San Diego, California	93.57%	512,530	1.80
Bismarck, North Dakota	93.60%	30,833	1.86
Cedar Rapids, Iowa	93.67%	57,947	1.69
Tamarac, Florida	93.68%	26,124	1.41
Pleasanton, California	93.71%	28,994	1.93
Ellicott City, Maryland	93.72%	27,514	1.85
San Jose, California	93.77%	327,894	1.98
Abilene, Texas	93.78%	43,010	1.71
Union City, California	93.78%	22,469	2.21
Kent, Washington	93.80%	44,949	1.98
Jonesboro, Arkansas	93.81%	29,688	1.63
Springdale, Arkansas	93.85%	26,443	1.80
Bloomington, Minnesota	93.85%	35,843	1.73
Santa Maria, California	93.86%	27,079	2.08
Beaumont, Texas	93.87%	45,435	1.65
Sioux Falls, South Dakota	93.91%	76,996	1.80
Columbia, Maryland	93.92%	39,629	1.75
Antioch, California	93.93%	36,138	2.09
Raleigh, North Carolina	93.94%	188,412	1.71
Boynton Beach, Florida	93.94%	31,863	1.61
Kendall, Florida	93.95%	28,610	1.84
Farmington Hills, Michigan	93.96%	32,850	1.78
Clovis, California	93.96%	39,269	1.90
Redwood City, California	93.97%	32,199	1.82
Sunnyvale, California	93.97%	55,424	1.75
Santa Rosa, California	93.98%	65,590	1.86
Aurora, Colorado	93.98%	136,443	1.85
Bossier City, Louisiana	94.00%	26,677	1.65
Lubbock, Texas	94.02%	99,104	1.73
McAllen, Texas	94.03%	47,094	1.81
Anchorage, Alaska	94.08%	105,198	1.81
Chesapeake, Virginia	94.09%	86,878	2.01
Riverside, California	94.09%	87,189	2.08
Waco, Texas	94.11%	50,523	1.72
St. Petersburg, Florida	94.13%	110,354	1.55
Nashua, New Hampshire	94.14%	37,474	1.75
Arlington Heights, Illinois	94.17%	28,748	1.72
Santa Clara, California	94.20%	46,608	1.80
Lancaster, California	94.21%	49,220	1.87
Waukesha, Wisconsin	94.22%	30,364	1.68
Oxnard, California	94.24%	50,739	2.23
Alhambra, California	94.25%	28,777	1.88
Mesa, Arizona	94.25%	187,111	1.81
Huntsville, Alabama	94.26%	88,930	1.76
Lakewood, Colorado	94.28%	67,857	1.81
Spring Hill, Florida	94.28%	43,691	1.77
Tyler, Texas	94.30%	37,504	1.80
Irvine, California	94.32%	104,524	1.79
San Leandro, California	94.33%	31,691	1.86
St. Charles, Missouri	94.33%	29,838	1.78
Palo Alto, California	94.35%	25,168	1.70
Rancho Cordova, California	94.37%	24,907	1.84
Anaheim, California	94.42%	105,301	2.08
Flagstaff, Arizona	94.42%	25,609	1.85
Peoria, Arizona	94.42%	66,318	1.94
San Mateo, California	94.42%	39,564	1.74
Orlando, Florida	94.43%	109,454	1.58
Oceanside, California	94.44%	60,235	1.99
Plantation, Florida	94.45%	36,203	1.73
Modesto, California	94.45%	71,325	1.91
Greeley, Colorado	94.46%	38,299	2.04
The Woodlands, Texas	94.46%	41,819	1.99
Vallejo, California	94.47%	42,200	2.04
Boise City, Idaho	94.51%	95,359	1.88
Napa, California	94.53%	28,819	1.93
Edinburg, Texas	94.53%	30,224	1.87
West Covina, California	94.58%	30,682	2.23
Yuba City, California	94.60%	24,393	1.95
Hawthorne, California	94.60%	27,489	1.65
Victorville, California	94.63%	32,188	2.08
Midland, Texas	94.67%	47,961	1.94
Pasadena, Texas	94.69%	47,706	1.90
Irving, Texas	94.69%	83,345	1.72
Garden Grove, California	94.69%	47,378	2.23
Lawrence, Kansas	94.70%	39,442	1.83
Chula Vista, California	94.70%	82,916	2.10
Whittier, California	94.71%	26,884	2.08
Davie, Florida	94.72%	35,708	1.84
Jacksonville, North Carolina	94.74%	21,986	1.57
Boca Raton, Florida	94.76%	40,845	1.65
Warner Robins, Georgia	94.80%	29,742	1.70
Longview, Texas	94.82%	29,848	1.84
Lincoln, Nebraska	94.83%	117,726	1.84
Delray Beach, Florida	94.85%	28,548	1.52
Longmont, Colorado	94.86%	39,984	1.87
Laredo, Texas	94.88%	73,066	1.92
Blaine, Minnesota	94.89%	23,243	1.90
Parma, Ohio	94.89%	34,332	1.71
Sparks, Nevada	94.91%	38,887	1.97
Newton, Massachusetts	94.91%	30,643	1.70
College Station, Texas	94.93%	40,281	1.76
Camarillo, California	94.94%	27,274	1.97
Salinas, California	94.96%	39,862	2.06
Santa Fe, New Mexico	94.96%	35,112	1.77
Fort Worth, Texas	94.97%	309,097	1.84
Colorado Springs, Colorado	94.99%	188,837	1.87
Visalia, California	95.00%	45,878	2.03
Aurora, Illinois	95.07%	63,972	1.93
Vacaville, California	95.07%	32,560	2.11
Temecula, California	95.10%	35,638	2.14
Fairfield, California	95.11%	37,310	2.09
Sandy, Utah	95.13%	31,130	2.20
Pittsburg, California	95.13%	21,273	2.07
Clarksville, Tennessee	95.16%	58,985	1.89
Hesperia, California	95.17%	27,185	2.15
Spring Valley, Nevada	95.17%	82,969	1.71
Upland, California	95.17%	26,201	2.03
Town 'n' Country CDP, Florida	95.17%	33,230	1.94
Tulare, California	95.19%	18,170	2.03
Pasco, Washington	95.19%	22,747	2.08
Compton, California	95.19%	21,757	2.32
Baldwin Park, California	95.20%	19,350	2.24
Norwalk, California	95.20%	26,257	2.27
Mesquite, Texas	95.20%	49,549	1.96
West Valley City, Utah	95.21%	36,842	2.19
Mansfield, Texas	95.27%	22,943	2.13
Norman, Oklahoma	95.27%	48,531	1.89
Richardson, Texas	95.29%	43,322	1.87
Virginia Beach, Virginia	95.34%	175,029	1.94
Schaumburg, Illinois	95.36%	30,713	1.64
Costa Mesa, California	95.37%	38,762	1.94
Fort Collins, Colorado	95.37%	70,831	1.91
Scottsdale, Arizona	95.38%	123,791	1.71
Torrance, California	95.38%	55,483	1.82
Conway, Arkansas	95.44%	26,319	1.71
Billings, Montana	95.45%	48,990	1.86
Sterling Heights, Michigan	95.47%	51,367	1.87
Rochester Hills, Michigan	95.48%	28,261	1.87
North Las Vegas, Nevada	95.50%	75,600	1.95
Santa Ana, California	95.50%	79,704	2.16
South Jordan, Utah	95.57%	20,542	2.24
Olathe, Kansas	95.57%	49,971	2.03
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota	95.58%	27,090	2.00
Westminster, Colorado	95.60%	43,890	1.97
Suffolk, Virginia	95.60%	34,597	2.06
Arlington, Texas	95.61%	138,639	1.88
Tracy, California	95.64%	26,771	2.37
Germantown, Maryland	95.65%	28,833	1.80
Rialto, California	95.66%	24,751	2.29
Coral Springs, Florida	95.69%	41,240	1.91
Concord, North Carolina	95.69%	30,660	1.90
Palmdale, California	95.69%	41,538	2.22
Rogers, Arkansas	95.69%	24,297	1.91
South San Francisco, California	95.70%	22,355	2.00
Georgetown, Texas	95.74%	29,882	1.64
O'Fallon, Missouri	95.77%	32,274	1.99
Mission, Texas	95.80%	24,709	1.92
Denton, Texas	95.86%	46,151	1.84
Toms River, New Jersey	95.89%	34,678	1.85
Loveland, Colorado	95.93%	33,393	1.90
Chandler, Arizona	95.94%	94,035	1.85
Plano, Texas	95.94%	107,721	1.88
Redlands, California	95.94%	26,115	1.96
McKinney, Texas	96.00%	68,458	1.88
Murfreesboro, Tennessee	96.04%	52,530	1.87
Manteca, California	96.05%	26,047	2.32
Marysville, Washington	96.08%	24,496	2.15
Nampa, Idaho	96.08%	34,798	2.05
Roseville, California	96.09%	53,093	1.92
San Ramon, California	96.11%	25,697	2.05
Thousand Oaks, California	96.13%	44,618	2.01
Rocklin, California	96.14%	23,612	2.02
Sugar Land, Texas	96.15%	40,077	2.14
Concord, California	96.15%	45,071	1.99
Henderson, Nevada	96.17%	121,285	1.85
New Braunfels, Texas	96.18%	33,398	1.98
Wesley Chapel, Florida	96.18%	20,585	1.87
Casas Adobes, Arizona	96.20%	29,337	1.88
Naperville, Illinois	96.21%	52,238	1.95
Gaithersburg, Maryland	96.21%	25,589	1.67
San Angelo, Texas	96.22%	36,990	1.83
Castle Rock, Colorado	96.26%	23,803	2.15
Edmond, Oklahoma	96.31%	36,056	1.94
Fremont, California	96.33%	77,848	2.05
Santa Clarita, California	96.39%	69,975	2.16
Livonia, Michigan	96.40%	37,899	1.95
Brandon, Florida	96.42%	43,037	1.69
Menifee, California	96.45%	29,356	2.14
Madera, California	96.46%	16,625	2.12
Cary, North Carolina	96.48%	64,728	1.87
Lake Elsinore, California	96.50%	18,642	2.21
Turlock, California	96.50%	25,718	1.95
Laguna Niguel, California	96.55%	24,719	2.04
Alpharetta, Georgia	96.55%	25,391	1.99
South Fulton, Georgia	96.56%	32,457	1.98
Eagan, Minnesota	96.59%	24,515	1.85
Simi Valley, California	96.59%	42,117	2.15
Chino, California	96.59%	26,079	2.30
Mission Viejo, California	96.61%	34,017	2.13
Palm Bay, Florida	96.62%	38,504	1.80
Troy, Michigan	96.64%	31,410	1.97
Milpitas, California	96.65%	26,052	2.14
Lakewood, California	96.67%	25,198	2.22
Provo, Utah	96.68%	34,454	2.10
Fullerton, California	96.68%	44,365	2.05
Woodbury, Minnesota	96.68%	26,254	1.90
Avondale, Arizona	96.70%	25,339	2.08
Riverview, Florida	96.72%	35,959	1.80
Lake Forest, California	96.73%	28,460	2.13
Elk Grove, California	96.73%	57,048	2.15
Downey, California	96.74%	32,073	2.14
Johns Creek, Georgia	96.76%	28,638	2.01
Roswell, Georgia	96.76%	35,944	1.94
Ontario, California	96.78%	49,894	2.25
San Clemente, California	96.79%	23,182	2.07
Franklin, Tennessee	96.79%	32,690	1.92
Pflugerville, Texas	96.82%	21,971	2.03
Garland, Texas	96.82%	72,410	2.10
Conroe, Texas	96.88%	31,236	1.85
Folsom, California	96.90%	27,286	2.00
Arvada, Colorado	96.92%	48,353	2.10
Palatine, Illinois	96.94%	25,880	1.80
Eau Claire, Wisconsin	96.95%	27,233	1.77
Jurupa Valley, California	96.96%	24,548	2.35
Lewisville, Texas	96.96%	41,101	1.77
Frisco, Texas	96.97%	67,851	1.90
Deltona, Florida	96.98%	31,783	1.98
Citrus Heights, California	96.99%	36,460	1.83
Rancho Cucamonga, California	97.00%	59,497	2.03
Carmel, Indiana	97.05%	38,677	1.99
Orange, California	97.07%	43,492	2.11
Thornton, Colorado	97.07%	46,900	2.12
Carson, California	97.08%	25,573	2.38
Murrieta, California	97.09%	33,792	2.24
Lakeville, Minnesota	97.09%	22,225	2.22
Indio, California	97.09%	31,760	1.99
Layton, Utah	97.12%	25,307	2.17
Moreno Valley, California	97.13%	52,220	2.27
Carrollton, Texas	97.18%	48,963	1.99
Fountainebleau, Florida	97.22%	22,887	1.84
Shawnee, Kansas	97.23%	24,678	1.96
Broomfield, Colorado	97.23%	28,062	1.99
Waldorf, Maryland	97.24%	29,863	1.93
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina	97.28%	36,111	1.91
Bolingbrook, Illinois	97.29%	22,890	2.00
Apple Valley, California	97.32%	23,774	2.05
Vista, California	97.34%	31,075	2.10
Plymouth, Minnesota	97.35%	30,392	1.85
Tustin, California	97.36%	24,125	2.11
Fishers, Indiana	97.36%	34,846	1.98
Huntington Beach, California	97.39%	75,273	1.99
Lee's Summit city, Missouri	97.44%	36,469	2.14
Weston, Florida	97.48%	20,420	2.14
West Jordan, Utah	97.48%	35,366	2.29
Corona, California	97.51%	47,793	2.19
North Richland Hills, Texas	97.52%	27,070	1.79
St. George, Utah	97.53%	30,816	1.99
Enterprise, Nevada	97.62%	65,759	1.92
Fontana, California	97.66%	56,457	2.39
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma	97.68%	41,730	1.98
Grand Prairie, Texas	97.70%	62,030	2.03
Miramar, Florida	97.71%	39,853	2.13
Dale City, Virginia	97.72%	20,660	2.29
West Des Moines, Iowa	97.72%	30,464	1.78
Overland Park, Kansas	97.73%	79,436	1.90
Highlands Ranch, Colorado	97.77%	37,081	2.13
Orem, Utah	97.77%	29,380	2.19
North Port, Florida	97.80%	26,005	1.77
Carlsbad, California	97.83%	44,966	2.02
Surprise, Arizona	97.85%	49,127	1.92
The Hammocks, Florida	97.86%	19,617	1.98
Jupiter, Florida	97.96%	26,959	1.76
Centennial, Colorado	97.97%	40,151	2.09
Meridian, Idaho	97.97%	40,194	2.12
Allen, Texas	98.05%	34,548	2.10
Round Rock, Texas	98.06%	42,580	1.89
Palm Coast, Florida	98.08%	34,103	1.86
Buena Park, California	98.10%	25,362	2.31
Wellington, Florida	98.13%	22,506	1.98
Hoover, Alabama	98.23%	32,461	2.02
Missouri City, Texas	98.28%	25,225	2.18
Gilbert, Arizona	98.28%	81,235	2.13
Rio Rancho, New Mexico	98.45%	35,765	2.23
Cape Coral, Florida	98.49%	67,176	1.90
Redondo Beach, California	98.52%	26,360	1.84
Rowlett, Texas	98.58%	21,953	2.36
Livermore, California	98.69%	30,545	2.21
Pearland, Texas	98.69%	47,106	2.12
Buckeye, Arizona	98.70%	21,691	2.23
Chino Hills, California	98.75%	26,856	2.34
Goodyear, Arizona	98.79%	26,158	2.06
San Tan Valley, Arizona	98.84%	30,387	2.03
Newport Beach, California	98.89%	37,035	1.93
Port St. Lucie, Florida	98.93%	68,484	1.81
League City, Texas	98.95%	38,910	2.10
Ankeny, Iowa	99.00%	26,150	1.94
South Hill, Washington	99.00%	21,371	2.19
Yorba Linda, California	99.05%	22,676	2.43
Maple Grove, Minnesota	99.06%	28,583	1.96
Noblesville, Indiana	99.07%	22,515	2.07
Leander, Texas	99.14%	20,548	2.09
Atascocita, Texas	99.16%	25,490	2.21
Centreville, Virginia	99.21%	23,288	2.08
Flower Mound, Texas	99.25%	27,199	2.17
Doral, Florida	99.34%	19,722	1.80
Lehi, Utah	99.41%	18,411	2.24
Sammamish, Washington	99.43%	21,456	2.15
Cedar Park, Texas	99.45%	24,034	1.97

Metros With the Most & Least Cars

Metropolitan areas typically have a high population density and car ownership tends to be high in these locations. For this analysis, MoneyGeek ranked metros with at least 200,000 households.

The study showed that the average number of cars per household ranges from 1.2 in New York to 2.2 in Ogden, Utah.

Generally, western metropolitan areas had more cars per household than those in the eastern U.S. The availability and types of public transportation on the East Coast, including subways and commuter rails, may have contributed to a lower car ownership rate.

10 Metros with the Highest Vehicle Ownership

Metropolitan Area	Avg Cars per Household	% With No Access
Ogden-Clearfield, UT	2.19	3.3%
Boise City, ID	2.11	4.0%
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	2.10	4.3%
Stockton, CA	2.10	5.8%
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	2.08	4.8%
Salt Lake City, UT	2.06	5.1%
Colorado Springs, CO	1.98	3.9%
Winston-Salem, NC	1.98	6.4%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	1.97	5.6%
Richmond, VA	1.97	6.3%

10 Metros with the Lowest Vehicle Ownership

Metropolitan Area	Avg Cars per Household	% With No Access
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	1.23	31.1%
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	1.57	12.1%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	1.60	13.2%
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	1.61	9.2%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	1.62	12.5%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	1.62	12.5%
Springfield, MA	1.63	11.0%
Syracuse, NY	1.63	10.6%
Pittsburgh, PA	1.63	11.1%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	1.63	9.9%

An illustration of a person driving in their car around their city.

Expert Insights

Vehicle ownership increased in the country as a whole, but certain areas have seen a decrease. MoneyGeek spoke with industry leaders to help you better understand the reason behind the trends.

What are the contributing factors that led to the increase in vehicle ownership/registration in the U.S. in 2019?
Despite the increase in car ownership/registration in the country as a whole, there are states showing a decrease. What are the factors behind this?

Julie BauschManaging Editor of CarTalk.com

Jamie Page DeatonEditor-in-Chief of CarTalk.com

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Metros With the Most & Least Cars

10 Metros with the Highest Vehicle Ownership

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