Commute Cost Calculators for 11 US Cities

Transit versus driving comes out differently in each city because of fares, parking, tolls and distances.

Last updated: 09/27/2026 · Written by Sadaf Azeem

In New York, Boston, Chicago, DC and San Francisco, a transit pass can replace a car for many residents, and parking alone can cost hundreds of dollars a month. In Houston, Dallas and Atlanta, longer distances and thinner transit coverage make a car close to essential, and tolls add up.

How commute cost calculators compare across the 11 cities

CityMonthly transit pass (approx.)What is different there
New York City$152MTA: Subway and local bus (OMNY)
San Francisco$86SFMTA (Muni): Muni adult fare / monthly pass
Los Angeles$78LA Metro: Metro base fare with fare capping
Houston$53Houston METRO: Local bus / METRORail
Dallas$96DART: DART local fare / monthly pass
Chicago$75CTA: CTA 30-Day Pass
Miami$112Miami-Dade Transit: Metrorail / Metrobus monthly pass
Atlanta$95MARTA: MARTA 30-day pass
Boston$90MBTA: MBTA Monthly LinkPass
Seattle$108Sound Transit / King County Metro: ORCA PugetPass (monthly)
Washington DC$115WMATA (Metro): Metrorail / Metrobus

Fares change; confirm with each agency.

What each city adds

NYC's OMNY fare cap limits weekly spending; LA Metro caps fares daily and weekly; Dallas commuters often pay NTTA tolls; Seattle's ORCA PugetPass covers buses and light rail; Chicago's CTA 30-day pass is among the cheaper big-city passes.

Counting the full cost of a car

Payment, insurance, maintenance and parking usually cost more than gas. Each calculator lays them out side by side.

Choose your city

Frequently asked questions

Which city has the cheapest transit pass?

Among these, Houston's local fare works out lowest.

Are commuter benefits pre-tax?

Yes, up to IRS monthly limits if your employer offers them.

Is gas the biggest car cost?

Usually not; fixed costs are larger.