The pandemic and a chip shortage have caused used car prices to rise across the board, and there's no more expensive state to buy one than Alaska. The average preowned vehicle there costs $29,656.
That's according to new data from iSeeCars.com, which studied 8 million pre-owned car sales from February 2021 to July 2021 to find where drivers pay the most, and least, for their rides.
Nationwide, the average transaction price for all used cars was $21,558 in July, according to Edmunds. Cars in The Last Frontier are roughly 20% higher, and shoppers there shell out $7,695 more than those in Indiana, where older vehicles cost the least, at $21,961 on average.
The price fluctuation is based on a "combination of geography and population," says Matt DeLorenzo, senior managing editor for Kelley Blue Book. Of the top five states with the highest prices, four are out West. "You'll find more cars in areas with higher population that are easily accessible: Alaska is far away and lightly populated; Indiana is in the heart of the Midwest."
Here are the top five states with the most expensive used cars.
1. Alaska
Average used car price: $29,656
Percentage over average: 20%
2. Wyoming
Average used car price: $29,419
Percentage over average: 19.1%
3. Montana
Average used car price: $27,303
Percentage over average: 10.5%
4. Arkansas
Average used car price: $27,123
Percentage over average: 9.8%
5. Idaho
Average used car price: $26,662
Percentage over average: 7.9%
Video by Jason Armesto
And here are the five states with the least expensive used cars.
1. Indiana
Average used car price: $21,961
Percentage below average: 11.1%
2. Ohio
Average used car price: $22,244
Percentage below average: 10%
3. Connecticut
Average used car price: $22,528
Percentage below average: 8.8%
4. Virginia
Average used car price: $22,618
Percentage below average: 8.5%
5. Iowa
Average used car price: $22,995
Percentage below average: 6.9%
Video by Stephen Parkhurst
Is it worth crossing state lines to buy a used car?
If preowned vehicles in your area are out of your budget, it can make sense to expand your search. But should you cross state lines for a discount? "It depends on the drive," DeLorenzo says. "If you can drive the car home in a day, then it's probably a good idea. Any farther than that, you have to factor in transportation costs if you have the car shipped." Plus, there's the cost of gas plus meals and lodging, "which could eat up any savings depending on the car you buy."
Check out different dealerships where you live first, then broaden your search from there. A bigger radius can mean more vehicle options and a wider range of prices, but you'll want to keep an eye on the amount of money you spend to get to and from the location itself.
If you can drive the car home in a day, then it's probably a good idea [to travel for it].Matt DeLorenzoKelley Blue Book
That said, "if you're looking for something out of the ordinary, you might actually find it in a less populated area," adds DeLorenzo. "You might find a sports car in Montana that you could get for less than in a more populated area with a higher number of people looking for the same car."
Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and similar sites can help you compare costs in different areas.
Consider the full financial picture
Wherever you decide to purchase your ride, get on the same page with the seller upfront. Talk about any additional features or deals you want and be willing to negotiate. You may need to make some concessions, Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader, previously told Grow.
"The more specific you get with features, the harder it will be to find a car," he said. "Look for cars the dealer already has on the lot and be flexible about the color, year, options, and interior."
Consider the full financial picture, adds DeLorenzo, like if you have a "car with great trade-in value, or whether it would be more to your advantage to sell it to a private party or another dealer." And don't rule out the idea of buying a new car: It could end up costing less.
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