California and Nevada are the MOST expensive states to own and run a car and its cheapest in Ohio

Car ownership is a financial burden in two western US states that ranked the most expensive to own a vehicle in comparison to the midwest and East Coast.

California and Nevada ranked the highest for their gas prices that average between $4.24 and $4.76 and car insurance rates that soar up to $3,342 per year, according to a Forbes report.

The two states received a maxed-out score out of 100 in costs with other West Coasts states, such as Colorado, New Mexico, Alaska, Wyoming and Washington following shortly behind.

The report found Ohio is one of the cheapest to own a car with estimated car insurance costing $1,112.

The most expensive places to own a car were ranked by the cost of gas, insurance, monthly payments and maintenance 

California's priciest car expense is the cost of gasoline topped off by an average $415.66 for car repairs, $572 in monthly car payments and an annual insurance rate of around $2,462.

Nevada's insurance rate ranks higher than California's at $3,342 per year. Costly loan repayments of $582 per month, car repairs averaging $398.26 and gasoline prices around $4.24 led to the tied ranking.

Colorado ranked number three among the most expensive states to own a car with a score of 96.53 out of 100. The state's high annual car insurance of $2,489 per year and car repair at an average of $417.14 led to its overall score.

Florida and Alaska followed behind with scores 84.03 and 80.56 out of 100. The sunshine state appeared to have a higher annual insurance rate of $4,326 - but made up for its cost in the price of gas which averages around $3.33, according to the report.

Maryland, Georgia, New Mexico and Louisiana followed shortly behind. Meanwhile, Washington, Wyoming and Texas tied for tenth place.

The three states ranked 70.83 out of 100 for their overall costly car expenses despite insurance estimating as low as $1,341 in Wyoming and a high of $2,938 in Texas.

Texas also averaged a high $662 in monthly car payments but reported low gasoline prices of around $2.95.

California and Nevada ranked the highest for their gas prices that average between $4.24 and $4.76 and car insurance rates that soar up to $3,342 per year

High gas prices contributed so some high rankings. Pictured: Illinois gas prices on February 22

While Ohio is the cheapest state to own a car, Kansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Iowa also ranked low.

The five states have the lowest average insurance rates costing less than $2,000. Iowa appeared to have the cheapest rate of $1,238, according to the report.

On the east coast, New York ranked the priciest for insurance at $4,769 per year. 

Connecticut drivers have a low insurance rate of around $1,700 per year but spend the most on repairs at an average of $418.37.

Earlier this year, a report found that motor insurance premiums are climbing by 8.4 percent to reach an average of $1,780 this year — the biggest increase in six years, nudged up by rising costs of replacement parts and repairs.

Motorists across 45 states will see at least a 1 percent jump in premiums. The biggest hikes will affect Illinois, Arizona, and New Hampshire

Motor insurance premiums are set to rise by 8.4 percent to reach an average of $1,780 this year — the biggest increase in six years

Those with records for traffic violations and accidents will see premiums grow by more than half, researchers say.

According to the report, motorists in Michigan, Florida, and Rhode Island will pay well above-average costs, as will those with a record of driving violations and owners of Teslas and other fancy electric vehicles.

Divya Sangameshwar, an insurance expert at ValuePenguin.com, the consumer spending site that released its findings in January, said insurers had kept rates low for the past two year, but that 2023 was a different story.

'This year's auto insurance rate increase is the highest rate increase since 2017,' said Sangameshwar.

The average American motorist will pay $1,780 this year, but those in some states will be hurt much more.

Those in Michigan will fork out on average $4,788, well above the national average due to the state's stringent minimum insurance requirements. Floridians will pay $2,856 and those in Rhode Island $2,748.

Motorists across 45 states will see at least a 1 percent jump in premiums. The biggest hike will affect Illinois (17 percent), followed by Arizona (15.6 percent) and New Hampshire (13.6 percent).

Those with records for traffic violations and accidents will see premiums grow by more than half, researchers say. Those with speeding tickets will see an average hike of $2,194, while those with DUIs will pay $3,281 extra.

Folks driving crossover SUVs, such as Honda's CR-V or Toyota's RAV4, get among the best deals, as they are typically cheaper to repair and replace than other cars. Pickups and larger SUVs cost more.

Still, owners of top-end electric cars are among the worst hit. Drivers of Porsche Taycans will pay on average $3,576 for the premiums this year, while those driving the Tesla Model Y will pay $3,110.