Is it worth keeping a car in Boston?

AAA puts the cost of owning and running a new car 15,000 miles a year at $12,863 (AAA, 2026). About $7,704 of that is depreciation, insurance and loan interest, which you pay whether the car moves or not. An older car that's paid off costs much less.

Massachusetts adds a few costs of its own:

• Excise tax: $25 for every $1,000 of the car's value, set by its age. A $30,000 car in its second year owes $450 (Mass.gov).
• Registration: $60 every two years (RMV fees). Inspection: $35 a year (Mass.gov).
• Parking: Boston's resident permit is free, but it doesn't promise a space. Cambridge's permit is $25 and goes up to $75 on December 1, 2026, free for residents facing financial hardship (City of Cambridge). A monthly garage space downtown starts at about $395.

About two days a week, among people using Shift who live in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville or Brookline. About 1 in 4 of their drives was under 2 miles. Many of those short trips are an easy walk or bike ride.

About these numbers: From 3,263 drives recorded by 65 people using Shift who live in those four cities, August 21 to October 16, 2026. Driving here includes rides in a taxi or ride-hail car.

The City of Boston found something similar: a privately owned car is driven about one hour a day, while each car in the city's car-share pilot was used about seven hours a day (City of Boston).

1. For two weeks, write down each day you drive and where you went.
2. Mark the trips under 2 miles. Those are the easiest to walk, bike or take the T.
3. For the rest, check how else you could make the trip: the T, a Bluebike, a car share, or a ride with someone.

If only a few trips a month really need a car, sharing or renting will cost much less than keeping one. If most of them do, keeping the car makes sense.

Car-share services rent cars by the hour from lots across the city, with gas and insurance included. Zipcar's standard plan is $9 a month plus the hourly or daily rate. A regular rental works for weekends away. Ride-hail fills the gaps. If you have kids under 8, bring a car seat: state law requires one in an Uber or Lyft unless the child is over 57 inches tall.

Cancel the registration online with your MyMassGov account, which is free, and send the receipt to your insurer. You don't return the plates: cut them in half and recycle them where your town accepts them, or throw them away. Once the car is sold, ask your town's assessor for an excise refund for the months you no longer owned it (Mass.gov).

1. Pick one short trip you usually drive, like groceries or the gym, and see how long it takes by T or by bike.
2. Make that trip without the car for the next two weeks, and see how often you miss it.