{ "source": "RevenueLab", "source_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi", "dataset": "car_repair_costs", "hub_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/car-repair-cost-calculators", "updated": "2026-09-04", "currency": "USD", "license": "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to RevenueLab.fyi", "citation": "RevenueLab — US car repair costs 2026 (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/car-repair-costs.json)", "notes": "Totals are parts plus labor at the $105/hr US average independent-shop rate and exclude sales tax. Book hours are typical flat-rate hours for a mainstream sedan or crossover. Dealer rates run 35-60% above the independent rate in the same market.", "labor_rate_bands": [ { "band": "Lowest", "rate_per_hour": 82, "states": "AL, AR, MS, KY, WV, OK" }, { "band": "Low", "rate_per_hour": 90, "states": "TN, MO, IN, KS, IA, NE, SC" }, { "band": "Below average", "rate_per_hour": 98, "states": "TX, GA, OH, MI, NC, FL, AZ" }, { "band": "US average", "rate_per_hour": 105, "states": "National baseline" }, { "band": "Above average", "rate_per_hour": 112, "states": "PA, MN, WI, NV, UT, VA" }, { "band": "High", "rate_per_hour": 125, "states": "IL, CO, OR, NJ, MD, upstate NY" }, { "band": "Higher", "rate_per_hour": 140, "states": "MA, WA, CT, HI, NY metro" }, { "band": "Highest", "rate_per_hour": 155, "states": "CA metro (Bay Area, LA, San Diego)" } ], "repairs": [ { "job": "Replace a transmission", "slug": "cost-to-replace-a-transmission-calculator", "book_hours": 8, "parts_low": 1800, "parts_high": 4500, "total_low": 2700, "total_typical": 4200, "total_high": 7200, "note": "Remanufactured unit is 25–40% under new; rebuild is cheaper but warranty is shorter.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-replace-a-transmission-calculator" }, { "job": "Replace an engine", "slug": "cost-to-replace-an-engine-calculator", "book_hours": 15, "parts_low": 2500, "parts_high": 7500, "total_low": 4200, "total_typical": 6800, "total_high": 11500, "note": "Used low-mileage engines cut parts cost roughly in half at the cost of warranty.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-replace-an-engine-calculator" }, { "job": "Replace brakes (pads + rotors, both axles)", "slug": "cost-to-replace-brakes-calculator", "book_hours": 2.5, "parts_low": 220, "parts_high": 700, "total_low": 420, "total_typical": 780, "total_high": 1400, "note": "Per-axle jobs are about half; calipers add $150–$400 per corner.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-replace-brakes-calculator" }, { "job": "Replace tires (set of four)", "slug": "cost-to-replace-tires-calculator", "book_hours": 1, "parts_low": 400, "parts_high": 1400, "total_low": 560, "total_typical": 940, "total_high": 1800, "note": "Mount, balance, valve stems and disposal typically run $25–$40 per tire.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-replace-tires-calculator" }, { "job": "Paint a car", "slug": "cost-to-paint-a-car-calculator", "book_hours": 24, "parts_low": 350, "parts_high": 1800, "total_low": 1200, "total_typical": 3800, "total_high": 9000, "note": "Prep hours, not paint, drive the price; body work is quoted separately.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-paint-a-car-calculator" }, { "job": "Replace a windshield", "slug": "cost-to-replace-a-windshield-calculator", "book_hours": 1.5, "parts_low": 250, "parts_high": 900, "total_low": 320, "total_typical": 620, "total_high": 1500, "note": "ADAS camera recalibration adds $150–$450 and is not optional on most 2018+ cars.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-replace-a-windshield-calculator" }, { "job": "Replace a timing belt", "slug": "cost-to-replace-a-timing-belt-calculator", "book_hours": 5, "parts_low": 180, "parts_high": 600, "total_low": 550, "total_typical": 950, "total_high": 1700, "note": "Do the water pump and tensioner in the same teardown or you pay the labor twice.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-replace-a-timing-belt-calculator" }, { "job": "Replace a catalytic converter", "slug": "cost-to-replace-a-catalytic-converter-calculator", "book_hours": 2, "parts_low": 400, "parts_high": 2400, "total_low": 620, "total_typical": 1500, "total_high": 3200, "note": "CARB-compliant units cost far more in California and states following its rules.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-replace-a-catalytic-converter-calculator" }, { "job": "Replace a hybrid or EV battery", "slug": "cost-to-replace-a-hybrid-battery-calculator", "book_hours": 4, "parts_low": 1800, "parts_high": 14000, "total_low": 2300, "total_typical": 5200, "total_high": 16500, "note": "Hybrid packs cluster $2–4k; full EV packs run $8–20k before any warranty coverage.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-replace-a-hybrid-battery-calculator" }, { "job": "Fix car air conditioning", "slug": "cost-to-fix-car-ac-calculator", "book_hours": 3, "parts_low": 120, "parts_high": 1200, "total_low": 250, "total_typical": 850, "total_high": 2200, "note": "A recharge is under $250; a compressor replacement is the top of the range.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-fix-car-ac-calculator" }, { "job": "Ship a car", "slug": "cost-to-ship-a-car-calculator", "book_hours": 0, "parts_low": 0, "parts_high": 0, "total_low": 600, "total_typical": 1250, "total_high": 2600, "note": "Open transport, 1,500 miles; enclosed adds 40–60%, inoperable adds $150–$250.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-ship-a-car-calculator" }, { "job": "Register a car (state fees + tax)", "slug": "cost-to-register-a-car-calculator", "book_hours": 0, "parts_low": 0, "parts_high": 0, "total_low": 45, "total_typical": 420, "total_high": 2100, "note": "Flat-fee states sit at the bottom; value-based states scale with vehicle price.", "calculator_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/cost-to-register-a-car-calculator" } ] }