Is a Tesla Model S worth it?
It depends on what you pay and what you earn. Here is what a 3-year-old Model S costs to own at US averages, and the most you can pay before it stops being a smart buy.
The short answer
- It keeps about 35% of its price after five years, worse than the typical luxury or sports (49%).
- It gets about 3.5 miles per kWh, so charging at home costs about $583 a year at 12,000 miles and US average electricity prices.
- Insurance, charging, maintenance and fees come to about 30 cents per mile, before the car payment.
How much can you pay?
The highest price that still scores Worth it (70 or more) or Borderline (50 or more), for a 3-year-old Model S with 20% down, a 60-month loan at 10% APR, 12,000 miles a year and US average costs.
| Yearly income | Worth it up to | Borderline up to |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $4,500 | $12,500 |
| $60,000 | $15,000 | $27,000 |
| $80,000 | $25,500 | $42,000 |
| $100,000 | $36,000 | $56,500 |
| $150,000 | $62,500 | $91,000 |
Paying cash, a bigger down payment or a cheaper insurance quote all raise these limits. Your state matters too: run your own numbers.
Cost to own, year one
Running costs for a 3-year-old Tesla Model S at 12,000 miles a year, at US averages. The car payment comes on top.
| Insurance | $2,500 |
| Charging | $583 |
| Maintenance and repairs | $336 |
| Registration and fees | $150 |
| Total per year | $3,568 |
Key facts
- Type: Luxury or sports, electric
- Efficiency: 3.5 mi/kWh
- Value kept after 5 years: about 35%
- Insurance class: 25% above the state average
Compare with
Ford Mustang · Tesla Model X · BMW 2 Series · BMW 3 Series · BMW 5 Series · BMW 7 Series · BMW i7 · BMW M2 · BMW M4 · BMW X1 · BMW X3 · BMW X5 · BMW iX · Mercedes-Benz C-Class · Mercedes-Benz GLC · Audi Q5 · Lexus ES · Lexus RX · Acura MDX
Figures are estimates from public averages (data as of 2026-10, method v1.0), not quotes or financial advice. See how we score.