Ricky Bobby, a character from the racing comedy movie Talladega Nights, has the life motto, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”
Well Connecticut is first — but also last, disappointedly topping yet another list as the most expensive state to own a car, according to Automoblog, an automotive industry news outlet.
“Connecticut drivers pay more to own a car than drivers in any other state,” writes Automoblog’s David Straughan. “The state isn’t ranked first in any single cost category, but its consistent position near the top in almost every one results in an overall expensive car ownership experience.”
With a score of 87.3, Connecticut blazed passed California (83.2), Michigan (81.5), Hawaii (80.6) and North Carolina (80.5). Conversely, the least expensive states to own a car are West Virginia (67.0), Ohio (67.5), Idaho (67.7), Arizona (68.3) and Missouri (68.5). The Automoblog Car Ownership Cost Score is a proprietary metric that compiles data for the major expenses associated with owning a car — insurance, property tax, auto repairs and gas — into a weighted score on a 100-point scale. In each category, Connecticut scored 91.3 (insurance), 94.1 (property tax), 93.0 (auto repair) and 72.9 (gas).
The report found that each year Connecticut car owners pay property taxes that are “99.1% higher than the national average and the third-highest rate in the country,” and car insurance in the state is “among the priciest.” Additionally, “Drivers in the Constitution State pay an average of $1,503 per year just for a minimum coverage policy and a whopping $2,999 per year for full coverage.”
Meanwhile, the annual cost of owning a car has surpassed $10,000 for the first time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
However, the recent report is more standard than an outlier for Connecticut in its race to the bottom in numerous fields. The Constitution State was in the top three for highest property tax rates; top three for highest electricity prices; 5th least popular state to move to in 2022; top five poorest-performing states regarding ‘return on investment’ for its public university system; the 10th highest rate of foreclosure filings; the 15th most burdensome state to obtain an occupational license for lower-income jobs; 43rd for the best places to retire largely due to affordability; 46th in education freedom; the 47th worst business tax climate for 2023; and 49th for lowest state-local tax burdens in 2022.
So, baby you can drive my car…just not in Connecticut.
