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Households That Ride Public Transit Can Save $14,100 Annually

  • Households that choose public transportation over driving can save anywhere from $12,000 to more than $18,000 a year, depending on the city.
  • Since 2019, the average new car price has risen 36 percent and used car prices have climbed 60 percent driven by tariffs, high interest rates, supply chain disruptions, and a growing chip shortage tied to demand from AI data centers.
  • Gas prices have risen to $4.61 per gallon as of late September 2026, up from $2.91 in January 2025, as the Strait of Hormuz crisis pushes up oil prices worldwide.
  • Meanwhile, monthly public transit fares at most public transit agencies have not increased since 2022.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 14, 2026) – A household that owns one fewer vehicle and rides public transportation instead of driving can save an average of $14,100 a year, according to a new report, Public Transit Saves American Families Money, released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). That works out to about nearly $1,200 a month that stays in family budgets.

The report compares the cost of a monthly public transit pass with the full cost of owning and operating a car, including gas, insurance, maintenance, and parking. Factors considered include the national and state average gasoline price per gallon as reported by AAA.

According to APTA’s 2025 Fare Database, monthly public transit fare prices at most agencies have not increased since 2022. Over the same period, families have faced record car prices, high financing costs, and rising gas prices, while public transit riders have kept more predictable monthly cost.

“Using public transportation is one of the simplest ways families can save money every month,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “When you add up gas, insurance, repairs, and parking, the savings can be significant. That is money that can go toward rent, groceries, health care, and other things families need.”

According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of a new vehicle reached $50,089 by August 2026, more than $13,000 higher (36 percent) than in early 2019. For used cars, Edmunds reports that the average used vehicle price hit a record $32,461 in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of more than $12,000 (60 percent) over the same period. Tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and a chip shortage tied to demand from AI data centers are all keeping vehicle prices high.

Gas prices are also having an impact. After falling to $2.91 per gallon in January 2025, the national average climbed to $4.61 per gallon as of late September 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

“With so many costs outside a family’s control, taking public transportation can help cut monthly transportation expenses. Whether it’s commuting to work, running errands, or keeping appointments, public transit is a practical and budget-friendly choice,” Skoutelas said. “Sustained federal investment in public transportation helps make sure that option is there for the families who count on it.”

The table below compares public transit fares across 20 cities against the full cost of owning and operating a vehicle, based on AAA’s Your Cost of Driving 2026 report and downtown parking data. Depending on the city, public transit riders can save anywhere from $12,000 to more than $18,400 a year.

Potential Savings from Using Public Transit
Top 20 Cities by Ridership — October 2026

San Francisco: $1,536 monthly; $18,437 annually

New York: $1,533 monthly; $18,394 annually

Boston: $1,460 monthly; $17,521 annually

Houston: $1,297 monthly; $15,559 annually

Honolulu: $1,288 monthly; $15,455 annually

Chicago: $1,283 monthly; $15,397 annually

Los Angeles: $1,281 monthly; $15,371 annually

San Diego: $1,278 monthly; $15,341 annually

Seattle: $1,272 monthly; $15,264 annually

Philadelphia: $1,261 monthly; $15,130 annually

Portland: $1,257 monthly; $15,089 annually

Denver: $1,195 monthly; $14,337 annually

Baltimore: $1,180 monthly; $14,163 annually

Minneapolis: $1,178 monthly; $14,141 annually

Miami: $1,150 monthly; $13,795 annually

Washington, DC: $1,131 monthly; $13,567 annually

Las Vegas: $1,094 monthly; $13,128 annually

Phoenix: $1,070 monthly; $12,838 annually

Dallas: $1,060 monthly; $12,724 annually

Atlanta: $1,029 monthly; $12,352 annually

National average: $1,178 monthly; $14,130 annually

 

 Media contact: Amy Thompson, athompson@apta.com, 202-285-2997