Driving Up the Cost
Owning a car these days can be costly, with the average new-car transaction price topping $50,000 in August 2026 and high fuel prices adding to the financial burden on gas-powered vehicle owners. But interestingly, several other factors can also affect car ownership costs, as shown in a new study ranking the best and worst U.S. cities to drive in 2026.
For instance, a city with heavy traffic congestion could leave drivers on the road longer, meaning cars spend more time running and consuming fuel. The study evaluates 100 of the largest U.S. cities across 30 key indicators under four main categories: Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, Traffic & Infrastructure, Safety, and Access to Vehicles & Maintenance. Ranking worst on the list is Philadelphia (PA), with an overall score of 36.35 out of 100.
A Dead End for Drivers
Philadelphia ranked 99th out of 100 cities in WalletHub‘s 2024 ranking before finishing dead last the following year. This means the Pennsylvania city has been the study’s worst performer for two consecutive years now.
According to the latest rankings, Philadelphia tied cities like Boston (MA), Los Angeles (CA), and New York (NY) for the highest annual hours spent in congestion per auto commuter. The study found a 14-fold difference between the cities at opposite ends of the spectrum, including Lubbock (TX), which had the lowest congestion figure, followed by Toledo (OH) and Lincoln (NE).
Philly also tied cities like Minneapolis (MN), St. Louis (MO), and Kansas City (MO) among those with the highest car theft rates. Additionally, the Pennsylvania city ranked among those with the highest parking rates.
The Address Behind the Expense
This study isn’t necessarily intended to shame cities that received poor scores. Rather, car buyers or owners can look at the list to see which cities might help them save on certain costs. For example, buyers shopping for a big truck like the Ford F-150 might spend more gas money in cities with the highest gas prices, most of which are in California. Among the many takeaways from the study is that insurance rates can also be higher in cities with higher vehicle theft rates.
For reference, Washington (DC) ranked second worst behind Philadelphia, followed by Los Angeles (CA), New York (NY), Detroit (MI), and Chicago (IL). On the other hand, Scottsdale (AZ) ranked as the best city to drive in, with an overall score of 63.32, followed by Boise (ID), Fort Wayne (IN), Lincoln (NE), and Corpus Christi (TX).
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