Owning a car has a lot of costs. If you want to live without a car, you want to have plenty of options available. Many people are surprised to learn that there are a number of cities where Uber is cheaper than owning a car. A 2018 report from Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers discussed which cities are better to Uber than to own a car. Let’s look at these four cities and the pros and cons of an uber only lifestyle.
Here are the top cities along with the cost of Ubering versus the cost of owning a personal car.
- New York City
- Personal Car Cost: $218
- Uber Cost: $142
- Chicago
- Personal Car Cost: $116
- Uber Cost: $77
- Washington D.C.
- Personal Car Cost: $130
- Uber Cost: $96
- Los Angeles
- Personal Car Cost: $89
- Uber Cost: $62
Pros Of Uber Instead Of Owning A Car
The biggest pro of using uber instead of owning a car is not paying for gas or maintenance. Gas stops and maintenance stops can quickly start to cost you a lot of money. And nothing is more frustrating than having a surprise mechanic bill to fix your car when it is broken.
If you don’t own a car, you also don’t need to pay for car insurance. Car insurance can be a high cost, especially if you are younger. Some people pay hundreds of dollars a month to be able to drive. Only two states don’t require that you have auto insurance.
No need to wash the car. Having to stop to wash the car can be a pain. Even if you use a drive-through car wash, that can take time out of your day, and it isn’t free.
When you own your own car you have to worry about keeping it safe and parking it. Parking in many cities, such as the ones on this list, can be very difficult. And very costly. You also have to worry about getting everything out of your car so it doesn’t get broken into. If your car is broken into, you have to worry about fixing everything and replacing it too.
Cons Of Using Uber Instead Of Owning A Car
Often times the most annoying and complicated part of Uber is having to wait for a ride. You can’t do a last-minute, quick ride to Taco Bell. You will have to wait for your Uber to get there. Sometimes Uber can be to you in a matter of minutes, but some people have to wait 10 or more minutes in order for a ride to get there. If you are in a rush, this can be frustrating.
The cost of an Uber can be a big problem. With these cities, it can be cheaper to use an Uber than to own a car. However, there will be times where you will have to walk or use other transportation because it is simply too expensive. Peek and event times are a good example of this. You also have to factor in tipping when making the decision to go Uber only.
You might have limitations when it comes to using Uber. Uber has a limited number of passengers that you can take. It also means that the driver might not be able to take dogs or certain items. If a driver won’t take your pet you will have to wait for another ride to show up.
Going Uber only from owning a car is a big decision. However, if you live in one of these cities or are moving, Uber can be a big benefit to you. You will save a lot of money and be able to save time too if you plan right. Make sure to regularly check whether Uber or Lyft is cheaper for you. Is uber cheaper than owning a car in your city? Please let us know in the comments.