Commuting and gas prices contribute to California being the second most expensive state in the nation for car ownership, according to a study by Manhattan Beach personal finance website GoBankingRates.com.
The results of the study, released Monday, evaluated the overall cost of car ownership in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, based on car sales tax, title and registration fees, average annual car insurance premiums, gas expenses, and maintenance and repair costs.
“Although some of the costs of car ownership in California are average or just above average, the biggest differential for drivers in California, and in Los Angeles in particular is in gas prices,” said Elyssa Kirkham, lead reporter on the study for GoBankingRates.
With all facts and figures tallied in, Michigan tops the list as the most expensive state for ownership, with insurance premiums averaging about $1,000 more a month than those in California, according to Kirkham.