Study by Shook and Stone.
A new study highlights how U.S. states stack up in terms of vehicle ownership stress, and Michigan ranks 18th nationwide.
The research by the Las Vegas-based personal injury law firm Shook & Stone analyzed vehicle ownership costs and safety risks across U.S. states. It measured three primary metrics: Auto Insurance Expenditures as a Percentage of Median Income (scored out of 30 points), Fatal Crash Scores (scored out of 40 points), and Auto Repair Rates as a Percentage of Monthly Per Capita Income (scored out of 30 points). These metrics were totaled to rank the states based on the highest to lowest stress score on a 100-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater vehicle ownership challenges.
Michigan’s results:
Michigan posts a vehicle ownership stress score of 61.6/100 (Rank 18). Auto insurance expenditures represent 1.91% of median income (21.5/30 for insurance burden). The state recorded 1,020 fatal crashes in 2023, equal to 10 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents (18.0/40 for crash risk). Auto repair rates average $145.03, which is 4.40% of the state’s $3,295 monthly per capita income (22.2/30 for repair burden).
| Michigan Vehicle Ownership Stress Data (2025) | ||
| State | Total Score (100) | Rank |
| Michigan | 61.6 | 18 |
Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Shook & Stone commented:
“The research shows that Michigan’s vehicle owners face a meaningful, though not top-tier level of financial and safety pressure. Insurance costs relative to income, crash risk, and repair expenses each play a role in the state’s overall stress score. States can reduce this burden by improving road safety, expanding defensive driving programs, and working with insurers to keep coverage affordable, while addressing broader economic factors that shape ownership costs.”
Table of Extended Results:
| Top 10 U.S. States With the Worst Vehicle Ownership Stress | ||
| State | Total Score (100) | Rank |
| Mississippi | 94.5 | 1 |
| Louisiana | 85.5 | 2 |
| New Mexico | 78.0 | 3 |
| Arkansas | 77.43 | 4 |
| South Carolina | 77.35 | 5 |
| Alabama | 75.6 | 6 |
| Kentucky | 74.1 | 7 |
| Florida | 73.9 | 8 |
| Wyoming | 71.9 | 9 |
| Oklahoma | 70.6 | 10 |
The study was conducted by Shook & Stone, a law firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured and disabled individuals, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve while providing compassionate, personalized legal representation.
Methodology
The study analyzed vehicle ownership costs and safety risks across U.S. states. It measured three primary metrics: Auto Insurance Expenses as a Percentage of Median Income (scored out of 30 points), Fatal Crash Scores based on crashes per 100,000 residents (scored out of 40 points), and Auto Repair Rates as a Percentage of Monthly Per Capita Income (scored out of 30 points). These metrics were totaled to rank the states based on the highest to lowest stress score on a 100-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater vehicle ownership challenges.
Data Sources
- Insurance Research Council Auto Affordability Brief: https://insurance-research.org/sites/default/files/news_releases/IRC%20Auto%20Affordability%20Brief.pdf
- NHTSA Database: https://cdan.dot.gov/query
- World Population Review Auto Repair Rates: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/auto-repair-rates-by-state
- Per capita income (Annual), converted to monthly for the dataset: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/per-capita-income-by-state