Owning a car isn’t just about filling up the tank—it also means paying for insurance, handling repairs, and navigating road safety risks. A new study by Shook & Stone, a Las Vegas-based personal injury law firm, shows that in some states, those burdens are far heavier than in others.
According to the research, Mississippi ranks as the single worst state for vehicle ownership, with a stress score of 94.5 out of 100. By contrast, Massachusetts drivers face far fewer challenges, earning one of the lowest stress scores in the nation at 36.6.
Why Mississippi Ranks Worst
Drivers in Mississippi face a trifecta of problems:
- High insurance costs: 2.18% of median income (24.5/30 points)
- Deadly crash rates: 23 fatalities per 100,000 residents (40/40 points)
- Expensive repairs: 5.96% of monthly per capita income (30/30 points)
With high risks on the road and limited economic relief, the Magnolia State sits firmly at the bottom of the list.
Louisiana and New Mexico Also Struggle
- Louisiana (85.5/100): Auto insurance consumes 2.67% of median income—the highest rate in the U.S.—while high crash rates and costly repairs add to the strain.
- New Mexico (78.0/100): Fatal crashes are frequent (19 per 100,000 residents), and repair costs eat up more than 5% of per capita monthly income.
Both states highlight how low incomes paired with high accident rates make driving far more stressful.
The Top 10 Most Challenging States for Vehicle Ownership
- Mississippi – 94.5
- Louisiana – 85.5
- New Mexico – 78.0
- Arkansas – 77.4
- South Carolina – 77.35
- Alabama – 75.6
- Kentucky – 74.1
- Florida – 73.9
- Wyoming – 71.9
- Oklahoma – 70.6
These states share a common pattern: residents spend more of their income on insurance and repairs while facing higher crash risks than much of the country.
States That Fare Better
At the other end of the spectrum, Massachusetts proves far more manageable for drivers, with a stress score of 36.6. Safer roads, stronger economic conditions, and relatively balanced repair and insurance costs make ownership significantly less taxing compared to the South and Southwest.
Expert Takeaway
A spokesperson from Shook & Stone explained the broader implications:
“The data shows that vehicle ownership stress is tied directly to economic strain and road safety conditions. Residents in states with lower incomes and higher crash rates carry the heaviest burdens. To ease those challenges, states must invest in infrastructure, expand driving safety education, and work with insurers to develop more affordable coverage options.”
Why It Matters
In much of the country, driving is not optional—it’s a necessity. But depending on the state, the cost of keeping a vehicle on the road can make ownership financially overwhelming and, in some cases, physically dangerous.
This study highlights the wide disparity in driving conditions across the U.S., underscoring the need for reforms that prioritize affordability, safety, and infrastructure upgrades.
Study by Shook & Stone
