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Cheapest and most expensive states to register a car in 2026

For a $30,000 car, registration, title and other fees run from Kentucky ($30.00) to New Hampshire ($638.00). With sales tax added, the total due at registration runs from Alaska ($115.00) to Louisiana ($3,136.50). Here is every state we cover, ranked both ways.

The short answer

Sales tax is most of the bill almost everywhere, so a state with low registration fees can still cost more in total. That's why we rank both ways.

Ranked by fees, without taxes

Registration, title, plate and the other fees due when you register a $30,000 car, using each calculator's starting example. Taxes are left out here, including taxes that work like a fee, such as California's vehicle license fee and Nevada's governmental services tax.

Registration, title and other fees for a $30,000 car, cheapest first. Taxes left out.
#StateFees (no taxes)What the example assumes
1Kentucky$30.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV, van or pickup; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; New vehicle from a dealer
2Arkansas$38.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Unladen weight: 3,001 - 4,500 lbs ($25); Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying a new vehicle
3Georgia$38.00I bought the car (7% TAVT)
4Mississippi$38.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Bought from a dealer; Vehicle age: New (first year); MSRP (sticker price when new): same as the price
5Alabama$40.75+ local issuance / city fees (not available)Bought from a dealer; Fuel type: Gas, diesel or regular hybrid; Yearly ad valorem (property) tax: Don't include
6Virginia$45.75+ local registration fee (not available)Car weight: 4,000 lbs or less; Registration term: 1 year; I bought the car (title + tax + registration)
7Kansas$49.00+ county transaction fee (not available)Bought from a Kansas dealer; Vehicle: 4,500 lbs or less
8Missouri$50.75Bought from a Missouri dealer; Taxable horsepower: 24 – 35 HP; Registration period: 1 year; Fuel type: Gasoline, diesel or regular hybrid
9South Carolina$55.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying from a dealer; Owner: Under 64; registration covers 2 years
10Nevada$61.25+ license plate fees (not available)Bought from a Nevada dealer; Original MSRP (sticker price when new): same as the price; Vehicle age: New (never registered); County: Clark (Las Vegas); County where the dealer is (sales tax): Clark County (Las Vegas): 8.375%
11West Virginia$66.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Bought from a dealer; Registration term: 1 year
12Maine$68.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Buying (dealer or private sale), new registration; MSRP (maker's list price when new): same as the price; Year of model: Year 1 (current model year)
13Delaware$75.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or station wagon; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying (dealer or private sale)
14Tennessee$80.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying (dealer or private sale), new plate; County: Knox County
15New Mexico$81.00Bought from a dealer; Vehicle weight: Over 3,000 lbs; Years registered: First 5 years
16Ohio$82.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or other; New vehicle from a new-car dealer; County you live in (sets the sales tax rate): Cuyahoga (8.00%); Permissive (local) tax in your district: $20 a year; Registration term: 1 year
17Colorado$83.76Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Empty weight: 3,500 lbs; Fuel: Gasoline or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale), new plates; MSRP when new: same as the price; Year of service: 1st year (new); Registration period starts: July 2026 to June 2027; I live in the emissions program area (Denver metro / North Front Range); Where you live (sets the sales tax): City and County of Broomfield (8.15%)
18North Dakota$99.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Vehicle weight: 3,200 to 4,499 lbs; Year first registered: 2022 or later; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale); First North Dakota title for this vehicle
19South Dakota$104.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Shipping weight: 2,001 to 4,000 lbs; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel, hybrid or plug-in hybrid; Bought from a dealer; County: Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls)
20Idaho$111.25+ ada county highway district fee (not available)Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Bought from a dealer; Vehicle age: 1 to 2 years old (incl. new); County: Ada County
21Texas$111.25Bought from a dealer; Vehicle weight: 6,000 lbs or less (most cars, SUVs, light pickups); County where you register: Harris County ($11.50 local fee); Title application fee in your county: $33
22North Carolina$113.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Bought from a dealer; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or regular hybrid; County of registration: Mecklenburg
23Alaska$115.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (title and first registration); Municipality: Statewide only; registration covers 2 years
24Pennsylvania$120.00+ lien / local use fees (not available)Where the car will be registered: Any county except Allegheny or Philadelphia (6%); Registration term: 1 year; Include sales tax; Fuel type: Gas, diesel or regular hybrid
25Oklahoma$125.50Bought from a dealer; New or used?: New; Year of registration: 1st to 4th year; Fuel type: Gasoline, diesel or regular hybrid
26Vermont$133.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Registration term: 1 year; Buying (dealer or private sale)
27Louisiana$136.50+ local fee (not available)Bought from a dealer; Where you live (parish and city): Orleans Parish: parish rate (not in a city or district below) – 5% local; Fuel type: Gasoline or diesel; Loan recorded on the title?: No loan; registration covers 2 years
28Rhode Island$157.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van (2-year registration); Gross weight: 4,000 lbs or less; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Bought from a dealer; registration covers 2 years
29Massachusetts$170.00Bought from a dealer; Plates: New standard passenger plate; Yearly excise (billed later by your city or town): Don't include; registration covers 2 years
30Michigan$198.00Bought from a dealer; Original list price (MSRP): same as the price; Registration year for this car: 1st (new car, or model year is this year or later); I need a new standard plate (not transferring one); Fuel type: Gas, diesel or regular hybrid
31New York$211.50Bought from a New York dealer; Vehicle weight: 3,500 lbs; County you live in: New York City (any borough); City or county where you live (sales tax): New York City (all five boroughs): 8.875%; I need new plates (not transferring plates from another car); registration covers 2 years
32Washington$251.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Scale (empty) weight: Up to 4,000 lbs; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Bought from a Washington dealer; New license plates
33Connecticut$254.00Bought from a dealer; Vehicle: Brand new (certificate of origin); Fuel type: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; registration covers 3 years
34California$262.00+ county / district fees (not available)Bought new from a California dealer; City or county where you'll register the car: Not listed / type the rate myself; Your local sales/use tax rate: 7.25%; Include sales/use tax; Zero-emission vehicle (electric or hydrogen)?: No
35Montana$271.85Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Body type: Car; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (new plates, title and registration); MSRP (sticker price when new): same as the price; Vehicle age: 0 (current model year); County option tax: Yellowstone County (0.5%)
36New Jersey$296.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Shipping weight: Under 3,500 lbs (Class 7); Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; New vehicle (never titled), from a dealer; Liens on the title: None (paid in cash); registration covers 4 years
37Illinois$316.00Bought from a dealer; Sales tax rate at the dealer's location: 6.25%
38Maryland$325.50Shipping weight (on your title): 3,501 – 3,700 lbs; Registration term: 1 year; I bought the car
39Iowa$349.00Bought from a dealer; Original list price (MSRP): same as the price; Vehicle weight: 3,500 lbs; Vehicle age: Up to 7 model years old; Fuel type: Gas, diesel or regular hybrid
40Florida$364.35Car weight: 2,500 – 3,499 lbs; Title: Used car with a Florida title; I need a new plate (no Florida plate to transfer); County where you live (and register the car): Seminole (1%); Include sales tax
41Hawaii$382.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Bought from a Hawaii dealer; County: City & County of Honolulu (Oahu); Net weight: 3,320 lbs
42Wisconsin$391.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying (dealer or private sale), new plates; Where the vehicle is kept (sets the sales tax): Dane County (5.5%); County wheel tax: Dane County ($40); City, village or town wheel tax: Madison (city) ($40)
43Indiana$457.35Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying (dealer or private sale); Original retail price (MSRP when new): same as the price; Vehicle age this year: Current model year (age 0)
44Arizona$522.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Bought from an Arizona dealer; Manufacturer's base retail price: same as the price; Registration year: Year 1 (first year); New Arizona title; New license plate; Emissions test area: Not needed (outside the test areas, or exempt)
45Minnesota$535.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV, van or pickup under 1 ton; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale), new plates; MSRP when new: same as the price; Year of vehicle life: 1st year (new)
46Nebraska$558.70Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale), new plates; Year of the vehicle's life: Year 1 (current model year or new)
47Wyoming$585.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale); Year of service: 1st year (new); County: Albany County (6% total)
48Oregon$628.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Bought from an Oregon dealer; Brand new, sold with a manufacturer's certificate of origin; 7,500 miles or less and never registered in Oregon; Combined MPG rating: 20 – 39 MPG; County where you live or keep the vehicle: Multnomah County; Needs new Oregon plates; DEQ emissions test: Not needed; registration covers 4 years
49New Hampshire$638.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Gross weight: 3,600 lbs; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale), first registration; Maker's list price (MSRP when new): same as the price; Model year: Current model year

Not ranked: Utah (its 2026 registration fee is not published yet).

Ranked by total, with sales tax

Everything due at registration for the same $30,000 car, including sales tax and other vehicle taxes. Local sales tax uses the place each example assumes; your own city or county can change it.

Everything due at registration for a $30,000 car, including sales tax, cheapest first.
#StateTotal at $30,000What the example assumes
1Alaska$115.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (title and first registration); Municipality: Statewide only; registration covers 2 years
2Montana$406.85Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Body type: Car; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (new plates, title and registration); MSRP (sticker price when new): same as the price; Vehicle age: 0 (current model year); County option tax: Yellowstone County (0.5%)
3South Carolina$555.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying from a dealer; Owner: Under 64; registration covers 2 years
4New Hampshire$638.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Gross weight: 3,600 lbs; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale), first registration; Maker's list price (MSRP when new): same as the price; Model year: Current model year
5Oregon$778.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Bought from an Oregon dealer; Brand new, sold with a manufacturer's certificate of origin; 7,500 miles or less and never registered in Oregon; Combined MPG rating: 20 – 39 MPG; County where you live or keep the vehicle: Multnomah County; Needs new Oregon plates; DEQ emissions test: Not needed; registration covers 4 years
6North Carolina$1,013.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Bought from a dealer; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or regular hybrid; County of registration: Mecklenburg
7New Mexico$1,281.00Bought from a dealer; Vehicle weight: Over 3,000 lbs; Years registered: First 5 years
8Virginia$1,290.75+ local registration fee (not available)Car weight: 4,000 lbs or less; Registration term: 1 year; I bought the car (title + tax + registration)
9South Dakota$1,304.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Shipping weight: 2,001 to 4,000 lbs; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel, hybrid or plug-in hybrid; Bought from a dealer; County: Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls)
10Oklahoma$1,475.50Bought from a dealer; New or used?: New; Year of registration: 1st to 4th year; Fuel type: Gasoline, diesel or regular hybrid
11North Dakota$1,599.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Vehicle weight: 3,200 to 4,499 lbs; Year first registered: 2022 or later; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale); First North Dakota title for this vehicle
12Delaware$1,638.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or station wagon; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying (dealer or private sale)
13Hawaii$1,795.60Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Bought from a Hawaii dealer; County: City & County of Honolulu (Oahu); Net weight: 3,320 lbs
14Kentucky$1,830.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV, van or pickup; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; New vehicle from a dealer
15Iowa$1,859.00Bought from a dealer; Original list price (MSRP): same as the price; Vehicle weight: 3,500 lbs; Vehicle age: Up to 7 model years old; Fuel type: Gas, diesel or regular hybrid
16West Virginia$1,866.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Bought from a dealer; Registration term: 1 year
17Idaho$1,911.25+ ada county highway district fee (not available)Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Bought from a dealer; Vehicle age: 1 to 2 years old (incl. new); County: Ada County
18Pennsylvania$1,920.00+ lien / local use fees (not available)Where the car will be registered: Any county except Allegheny or Philadelphia (6%); Registration term: 1 year; Include sales tax; Fuel type: Gas, diesel or regular hybrid
19Vermont$1,933.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Registration term: 1 year; Buying (dealer or private sale)
20Texas$1,986.25Bought from a dealer; Vehicle weight: 6,000 lbs or less (most cars, SUVs, light pickups); County where you register: Harris County ($11.50 local fee); Title application fee in your county: $33
21Michigan$1,998.00Bought from a dealer; Original list price (MSRP): same as the price; Registration year for this car: 1st (new car, or model year is this year or later); I need a new standard plate (not transferring one); Fuel type: Gas, diesel or regular hybrid
22Wisconsin$2,041.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying (dealer or private sale), new plates; Where the vehicle is kept (sets the sales tax): Dane County (5.5%); County wheel tax: Dane County ($40); City, village or town wheel tax: Madison (city) ($40)
23Massachusetts$2,045.00Bought from a dealer; Plates: New standard passenger plate; Yearly excise (billed later by your city or town): Don't include; registration covers 2 years
24Georgia$2,138.00I bought the car (7% TAVT)
25Connecticut$2,159.00Bought from a dealer; Vehicle: Brand new (certificate of origin); Fuel type: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; registration covers 3 years
26Illinois$2,191.00Bought from a dealer; Sales tax rate at the dealer's location: 6.25%
27Florida$2,214.35Car weight: 2,500 – 3,499 lbs; Title: Used car with a Florida title; I need a new plate (no Florida plate to transfer); County where you live (and register the car): Seminole (1%); Include sales tax
28Rhode Island$2,257.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van (2-year registration); Gross weight: 4,000 lbs or less; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Bought from a dealer; registration covers 2 years
29Tennessee$2,260.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying (dealer or private sale), new plate; County: Knox County
30Maryland$2,275.50Shipping weight (on your title): 3,501 – 3,700 lbs; Registration term: 1 year; I bought the car
31New Jersey$2,283.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Shipping weight: Under 3,500 lbs (Class 7); Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; New vehicle (never titled), from a dealer; Liens on the title: None (paid in cash); registration covers 4 years
32Wyoming$2,385.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale); Year of service: 1st year (new); County: Albany County (6% total)
33Maine$2,438.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Buying (dealer or private sale), new registration; MSRP (maker's list price when new): same as the price; Year of model: Year 1 (current model year)
34Ohio$2,482.00Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or other; New vehicle from a new-car dealer; County you live in (sets the sales tax rate): Cuyahoga (8.00%); Permissive (local) tax in your district: $20 a year; Registration term: 1 year
35Indiana$2,557.35Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Fuel: Gasoline or diesel; Buying (dealer or private sale); Original retail price (MSRP when new): same as the price; Vehicle age this year: Current model year (age 0)
36Minnesota$2,597.50Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV, van or pickup under 1 ton; Fuel: Gasoline, diesel or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale), new plates; MSRP when new: same as the price; Year of vehicle life: 1st year (new)
37California$2,632.00+ county / district fees (not available)Bought new from a California dealer; City or county where you'll register the car: Not listed / type the rate myself; Your local sales/use tax rate: 7.25%; Include sales/use tax; Zero-emission vehicle (electric or hydrogen)?: No
38New York$2,874.00Bought from a New York dealer; Vehicle weight: 3,500 lbs; County you live in: New York City (any borough); City or county where you live (sales tax): New York City (all five boroughs): 8.875%; I need new plates (not transferring plates from another car); registration covers 2 years
39Colorado$3,064.26Vehicle type: Passenger car, SUV or van; Empty weight: 3,500 lbs; Fuel: Gasoline or hybrid; Buying (dealer or private sale), new plates; MSRP when new: same as the price; Year of service: 1st year (new); Registration period starts: July 2026 to June 2027; I live in the emissions program area (Denver metro / North Front Range); Where you live (sets the sales tax): City and County of Broomfield (8.15%)
40Nevada$3,098.75+ license plate fees (not available)Bought from a Nevada dealer; Original MSRP (sticker price when new): same as the price; Vehicle age: New (never registered); County: Clark (Las Vegas); County where the dealer is (sales tax): Clark County (Las Vegas): 8.375%
41Louisiana$3,136.50+ local fee (not available)Bought from a dealer; Where you live (parish and city): Orleans Parish: parish rate (not in a city or district below) – 5% local; Fuel type: Gasoline or diesel; Loan recorded on the title?: No loan; registration covers 2 years

Not ranked: Alabama (local sales tax depends on your address); Arizona (sales tax depends on your address); Arkansas (local sales tax depends on your address); Kansas (local sales tax and vehicle property tax depend on your address); Mississippi (ad valorem tax depends on your address); Missouri (local sales tax depends on your address); Nebraska (local sales tax depends on your address); Utah (its 2026 registration fee is not published yet); Washington (local sales tax depends on your address).

Why the numbers differ so much

Electric cars

Most states also charge electric cars an extra yearly fee, from $50 to $270 a year. See EV registration fees by state for all 50 states.

How we built this ranking

Every figure comes from the same calculators as our state pages, the 50-state table and the state comparison tool, using official state rates. The table updates whenever a state's rates change. Items we couldn't confirm from an official source are marked "not available" and left out of the amount. A state whose main fees aren't all available isn't ranked; it's listed under the table with the reason. We cover 50 states so far; more are added only after their fees are checked.

Questions

Which state is cheapest to register a car?

Of the 50 states we cover, Kentucky ($30.00) has the lowest registration, title and other fees for a $30,000 car, and Alaska ($115.00) has the lowest total once sales tax is included.

Which state is most expensive to register a car?

Of the 50 states we cover, New Hampshire ($638.00) has the highest fees for a $30,000 car, and Louisiana ($3,136.50) has the highest total with sales tax.

Does this cover all 50 states?

All 50 states have a calculator. A state is left out of a ranking when one of its lines is not available in an official source (for example a county-set tax), so the rankings cover the states with complete figures. The EV fee guide covers all 50 states.

Run the numbers

Official sources · Last checked October 12, 2026

General information, not tax or legal advice. Fees and tax rules change; confirm with the agency listed before you pay.

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