Kyle Hill compares the cost of exclusively riding Uber to owning a car in the car-centric city of Los Angeles.
As reported by Ryan Lawler in TechCrunch, Hill calculated the cost of owning a car based on gas mileage, cost of gas, length of one's commute, and general parking costs. On average, driving and owning a mid-sized sedan in the US was about $8,876. Factoring in annual traffic and parking ticket cost, along with an "opportunity cost" of driving versus a mode of public transportation (where, presumably, you can answer emails and "get stuff done"), Hill estimated car ownership to be around $12,744.
Using U.S. Census Bureau estimates of number of trips and time spent in their cars each year, based on the cost of UberX in Los Angeles, Hill found that a user would pay $18,115 per year if riding Uber exclusively. Hill used the base fare and mileage costs for Los Angeles, and these costs vary greatly depending on the market. More importantly, the model does not factor surge pricing, mostly active during peak commute hours.
For the average Uber rider in Los Angeles, the crossover point when Uber is cheaper than owning a car is around 9,481 miles a year.
FULL STORY: When Does Uber Become Cheaper Than Owning A Car?
L.A. Wins Round One in Battle With Uber Over Privacy and Data
Los Angeles and Uber bike-share subsidiary Jump are in a protracted legal battle over the city's data sharing requirements.
JUMP, Uber's Bike and Scooter Rental Business, Creates Privacy Controversy in L.A.
The battle over privacy data will move to court, as Uber and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation has been able to work out their differences regarding the use of the city's mobility data specification.
From Taxi Industry Disrupter to Auto Industry Disrupter
Car ownership is far from "a thing of the past," as Uber's CEO plans on making it, but a new survey shows that a substantial number of people who have tried transportation network companies are forgoing the purchase of a car.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie