Location Transport

Is it cheaper to live in a big city and use public transport or live in a smaller one and have a car?

Public Comments

1. I've done both and I think that its a wash! Its really impossible to tell unless you single out one region to work with as for example Southern Indiana is so very different than New England. Before fuel prices increased I would have said rural was cheaper -housing, food, etc) but now when you factor in the shipping costs of everything , I think its too close to tell.
2. living in a small city is always cheaper no matter how you get around. the lower cost of living more than offsets auto expense. been there done that.
3. I've always lived in the big city, I like the feel and vibe it brings, regardless of commute. And yes i have tried small cities, it's just does not meet my needs. So i alternate between the two, parka and ride and personal car. i find money has nothing to do with it.
4. you would have more freedom with a car
5. It depends upon how close to everything you live. If you live a few blocks away from everywhere you need to go (except for, maybe, work) then you could save a lot of money by walking everywhere (I did this last year - it was really fun!). However, there is also more to do in a big city. So you might be going out more and spending more money. Taking public transportation is also a bit more environmentally responsible. The cost of gas is nothing compared to the cost of pollution for future generations.
6. It is usually cheaper to live in a big city and use public transport. Even in an area like Los Angeles, where inner city housing prices are ridiculous, it would still probably be cheaper than commuting from outside. Most people underestimate the actual cost of driving. Remember there is more cost to driving than just the gas: wear and tear on your car, extra insurance cost if you drive too much, etc. The AAA estimates around 47 cents a mile. And that's not considering the stress of sitting in traffic each workday and losing ten hours a week to traffic.
7. I rather live in a smaller city and have a car. Some people say that having a car means that you have to pay for car insurance, car maintenance, gas, etc. But having a car gives me freedom. I can go wherever and whenever I want. I don't have to change bus 3 to 5 times to go to one place. I don't have to wait in the cold snow or hot humid day for a bus. I don't have to make myself go home because there is no more public transportation after certain hours. So it depends on what do you value more.
8. Having a car is more expensive....car payments, Insurance, gas, maintenance. You are looking at about $500 to $600 a month.