The Most Stressful States for Vehicle Owners in America

Owning a car is a necessity in much of the United States, but in some regions, it comes with outsized financial and safety burdens. A new study from Las Vegas-based law firm Shook & Stone reveals that Mississippi is the most challenging state for vehicle ownership, scoring a 94.5 out of 100 on the “vehicle ownership stress” scale.

The analysis ranked all 50 states by combining three factors: insurance costs relative to income, fatal crash rates, and auto repair expenses. States with higher scores face greater challenges for drivers.

Mississippi Tops the List

Mississippi drivers face the heaviest combined burdens:

• Auto insurance: 2.18% of median income (24.5/30 points)

• Fatal crashes: 23 per 100,000 residents (40/40 points)

• Auto repair costs: 5.96% of monthly per capita income (30/30 points)

That combination pushed Mississippi’s overall stress score to 94.5, well above any other state.

Louisiana and New Mexico Round Out the Top Three

• Louisiana (85.5/100): Residents spend 2.67% of their income on insurance—the highest percentage in the country—alongside high crash rates and repair costs.

• New Mexico (78.0/100): Insurance is somewhat less burdensome, but fatal crashes (19 per 100,000 residents) and repair costs still weigh heavily on drivers.

Other Challenging States

The top 10 states for vehicle ownership stress include:

1. Mississippi – 94.5

2. Louisiana – 85.5

3. New Mexico – 78.0

4. Arkansas – 77.4

5. South Carolina – 77.35

6. Alabama – 75.6

7. Kentucky – 74.1

8. Florida – 73.9

9. Wyoming – 71.9

10. Oklahoma – 70.6

These states share common themes: higher-than-average crash rates, steep insurance premiums, and repair costs that eat up a larger share of residents’ monthly incomes.

A Safer Bet: Massachusetts

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Massachusetts recorded a stress score of just 36.6/100, making it one of the most manageable states for vehicle ownership. Lower crash rates and a stronger economic base help offset insurance and repair expenses for Bay State drivers.

Why the Stress?

According to Shook & Stone’s analysis, states with lower median incomes and higher accident rates often impose the steepest burdens on drivers. Insurance becomes less affordable, crashes are more common, and repair bills consume a larger portion of take-home pay.

A spokesperson from the firm explained:

“The research reveals that Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Mexico present significant financial and safety challenges for vehicle owners, with residents facing high insurance costs relative to income, elevated accident rates, and substantial repair expenses.

To improve affordability and safety, these states should prioritize infrastructure upgrades, promote defensive driving education, and encourage insurers to provide more affordable coverage options.”

The Bigger Picture

For many Americans, driving isn’t optional—it’s the only way to commute, run errands, and support family life. But depending on where you live, the cost of staying on the road can vary dramatically.

In states like Mississippi and Louisiana, the combination of dangerous road conditions, high accident rates, and costly repairs creates one of the toughest environments for drivers in the nation. Meanwhile, states with stronger economies and safer highways provide a far less stressful ownership experience.

Methodology

The study combined three weighted factors to calculate a stress score out of 100:

• Auto insurance expenditures as a percentage of median income (30 points)

• Fatal crashes per 100,000 residents (40 points)

• Auto repair rates as a percentage of monthly per capita income (30 points)

Data sources included the Insurance Research Council, NHTSA, and World Population Review.

Credit: Study by Shook & Stone