The States Where Car Ownership Costs the MostThe table below ranks every state by annual car ownership costs as a share of median household income. Louisiana is the nation’s least affordable state for car ownership, with the typical household spending 23.2% of its income, or $14,894 annually, on vehicle expenses. Why Car Ownership Is Less Affordable Across the SouthThe South dominates the least affordable rankings because many states combine relatively modest household incomes with high ownership costs. America’s Most Affordable States for Car OwnershipMassachusetts has the nation’s lowest car ownership burden, with annual costs equal to 10.6% of median household income, or $11,745. New Hampshire and Maryland also rank among the most affordable states, helping make the Northeast the country’s least financially burdensome region for car ownership.