By Shawn Henry 
As the cost of owning a vehicle continues to rise, more Americans are finding that a single paycheck is no longer enough to keep a car on the road. Purchase prices have climbed, insurance rates are up, maintenance costs continue to rise, and fuel prices have generally trended higher over the past decade. For many drivers, the financial strain is no longer limited to luxury vehicles.
The Dream of Owning a New Car is Slipping Away for Most as Prices Now Average $50K
A recent study surveying more than 1,000 car owners found that nearly one in six spends at least 20 percent of their monthly income on vehicle-related expenses. Around 10 percent of respondents reported devoting more than 60 percent of their income to their cars. The data paints a picture of ownership becoming increasingly difficult, even for those driving mainstream models.
The average price of a new vehicle reached $50,080 last fall, marking the first time it crossed the $50,000 threshold. That figure reflects a mix of buyers, including luxury shoppers who skew the average upward, but it still highlights how far prices have moved beyond what many households can comfortably afford. Even budget-focused shoppers often find themselves stretched thin.
Faced with these realities, some drivers are reframing the challenge. If a second job is required to afford basic transportation, the logic follows that the same effort could make a more desirable vehicle attainable. Instead of working extra hours to cover an entry-level sedan, some are choosing to aim higher, putting side hustle income toward performance cars, trucks, or enthusiast-oriented models that fall near the industry average price point.
According to the survey, 23 percent of drivers have taken on a second source of income specifically to cover car expenses. More than half say they have kept their current vehicle longer than planned, and only one-third feel confident they could manage payments for more than a few months if they lost their primary income. Meanwhile, one in 10 drivers owes more on their car than it is currently worth.
Driving-related side jobs are emerging as a practical option. Based on federal labor data, driver and delivery roles average around $17 an hour, making it possible to offset roughly $16,000 in annual car expenses with fewer than 20 hours of work per week. Other driving gigs, including rideshare, food delivery, and light truck work, offer similar or higher earning potential depending on location.
The broader trend suggests that while car ownership margins are tightening, some drivers are using second jobs not just as a financial lifeline, but as a way to turn rising costs into an opportunity to finally afford the vehicles they actually want.