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.

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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.

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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.

  1. What are the contributing factors that led to the increase in vehicle ownership/registration in the U.S. in 2019?
  2. 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?
Jamie Page Deaton
Jamie Page Deaton

Editor-in-Chief of CarTalk.com

Julie Bausch
Julie Bausch

Managing Editor of CarTalk.com

Related Content

Learn more about car ownership, such as how to finance your car and find the best car insurance. MoneyGeek breaks down some related concepts and terms to help you get started.

  • Should You Lease a Car or Get a Loan?: Discover the differences between leasing a car and owning one. Learn about the possible expenses and figure out whether getting a loan is right for you or leasing is your best option.
  • Auto Loan Calculator: Get an estimate of your monthly payments for auto loan when you buy a new or used car.
  • Auto Loan Refinancing: Did you purchase your car through auto loan? Find out when and how a new loan can help lower your payments.
  • Should I Buy a Used Rental Car?: When is a rental car the best option? Find out what factors you should consider before purchasing a vehicle from a rental company.
  • Shop for Car Insurance: Car owners need to have car insurance not only to protect themselves but also to abide by state laws. Find out how to get the best insurance rates in your state.

About Nathan Paulus


Nathan Paulus headshot

Nathan Paulus is the director of content marketing at MoneyGeek. Nathan has been creating content for nearly 10 years and is particularly engaged in personal finance, investing, and property management. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of St. Thomas Houston.


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