How Much do New Tires Cost?

Last Updated on January 5, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Getting a new set of tires can be an expensive automotive investment. Prices for tires vary widely depending on the type of vehicle you drive, tire size, brand, special features, and other factors. In this guide, we’ll break down how much tires cost on average so you can budget and shop informed.

We’ll look at prices for popular tire types, sizes, and brands. You’ll also get tips for saving money when tire shopping. Whether it’s time to replace worn treads or upgrade to better performance, read on to estimate your new tire costs.

Key Takeaways on New Tire Costs

Here are the main points on pricing to remember when shopping for new tires:

• Expect to pay $100-$350+ per replacement tire depending on type, size, and brand.
• Plan to budget $500-$1400 for a complete set of 4 new tires with installation.
• Tire size, performance level, brand reputation, and special features impact pricing.
• Shop sales and use rebates, coupons, and rewards programs to get the best deals.
• Premium tires may cost more but deliver enhanced performance and longevity.

How Much do New Tires Cost?

The average cost of tires falls in the range of $100 to $350 per tire depending on the type, size, brand, and specifications. Expect to pay:

• Economy tires – $100 to $200 per tire
• Mid-range all-season tires – $130 to $250 per tire
• High-performance tires – $200 to $350+ per tire

So if you’re buying a set of 4 new tires, plan on spending $500 to $1,000+ total for most standard passenger vehicles. Of course, specialty tires for trucks, SUVs, and high-end sports cars run even higher. We’ll break down prices in more detail next.

Car Talk provides a list of the best places to buy tires, including brick-and-mortar shops and online retailers. They recommend being aware of the price per tire, the price for mounting and balancing, and any shipping costs associated with getting the tires to you. They also suggest being aware of any rebates or incentives that a tire manufacturer is offering.

TireComp is a tire search engine that enables you to find rock-bottom tire prices within a second. They list tire prices of the main tire websites in the US. They provide a comparison of tire prices for summer tires, winter tires, and all-season tires.

Discount Tire provides a tire price breakdown, where they provide transparent and clear estimates of how much tires cost based on size, category, and more.

When it comes to governmental taxes on tires, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration notes that the California Tire Fee is assessed on the retail purchase of new tires intended for use with, but sold separately from, on-road or off-road motor vehicles. The fee is $1.75 per tire.

Factors Affecting the Cost of New Tires

Several important factors determine the pricing for new replacement tires. Things that affect the cost include:

• Tire size –Larger wheel diameters and widths are more expensive.
• Tire type – Performance tires cost more than basic all-seasons.
• Tire brand – Premium brands like Michelin cost more than lesser known labels.
• Vehicle type – Low-profile tires for sports cars or SUVs, as well as truck tires often cost more than standard passenger car tires.
• Special features – Options like run-flat tires or noise-reducing increase price.
• Tire retailer – Warehouse stores and online outlets tend to have the lowest tire prices overall.

When comparing new tire pricing, be sure to factor in all these variables. Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better value.

New Tire Prices by Type of Tire

Tire types range from basic all-seasons to max performance summer tires. Here are estimates of what you can expect to pay.

All-Season Tires

All-season tires are designed for year-round use in most climates. They offer decent grip and tread life at a moderate price.

• 14-15 inch – $100 to $180 per tire
• 16-17 inch – $130 to $210 per tire
• 18-20 inch – $170 to $280 per tire

Summer Performance Tires

Summer tires provide optimized warm weather grip and responsiveness. The soft rubber comes at a price though.

• 16 inch performance – $130 to $220 per tire
• 17 inch performance – $160 to $240 per tire
• 18-20 inch performance – $200 to $350+ per tire

Winter / Snow Tires

Specialized winter rubber offers cold weather traction but wears more quickly in warm temps.

• 14-15 inch snow – $100 to $250 per tire
• 16-17 inch snow – $120 to $300 per tire
• 18-20 inch snow – $150 to $400+ per tire

All-Terrain Tires

Rugged all-terrain tires are ideal for going off-road but cost more than basic all-seasons.

• 15 inch all-terrain – $150 to $300 per tire
• 16-17 inch all-terrain – $170 to $350 per tire
• 18-20 inch all-terrain – $200 to $400 per tire

Clearly you pay more for specialized tires with enhanced capabilities. Next, let’s look at pricing for top brands.

You might also like our articles about the cost of donut tires, run-flat tires, or tire rotation services.

The Cost of Tires by Brand

Well-known tire brands typically cost more than lesser known labels but come with a reputation for quality and durability. Here are price ranges:

• Michelin – $150 to $600+ per tire
• Goodyear – $100 to $400+ per tire
• Bridgestone – $100 to $500+ per tire
• Pirelli – $130 to $350+ per tire
• Continental – $100 to $300+ per tire
• BFGoodrich – $120 to $350+ per tire

While brands like Michelin and Pirelli skew premium, frequent sales bring their prices more in line with mid-tier tires from Goodyear, Continental, and similar competitors.

Average Tire Cost by Vehicle

To give a realistic sense of new tire pricing, here are sample per-tire costs for some popular models:

• Toyota Camry – $130 to $170 per tire
• Honda Accord – $140 to $180 per tire
• Toyota RAV4 – $140 to $210 per tire
• Honda CR-V – $150 to $220 per tire
• Ford F-150 – $170 to $260 per tire
• Jeep Wrangler – $170 to $300 per tire
• BMW 3-Series – $180 to $350 per tire
• Mercedes C-Class – $190 to $400 per tire

As expected, basic sedan tires run lowest while specialized SUV, truck, and performance luxury vehicle tires cost more.

Per Tire Cost vs. Full Set – What’s the Total Price?

When looking at tire prices, it’s important to consider both the per tire cost and what a full set adds up to. Expect to pay:

• Per Tire Cost – $100 to $350 per tire based on type, size, etc.
• Full Set of 4 – $400 to $1,400 for a typical vehicle

Keep in mind all vehicles require tires to be replaced in full sets of 4 (except some AWD cars requiring matching pairs in the front or rear). So you need to budget for 4 new tires at once when figuring your total investment. Plus, you’ll need to add installation charges.

Other Tire Replacement Costs

Beyond the tires themselves, you’ll need to factor in:

• Mounting and balancing – $20-$50 per tire
• Tire disposal fees – $2-$5 per tire
• TPMS sensors – $50-$150 per tire if needed
• Alignment – $50-$150 for an alignment after installing new tires

With fees, expect to spend $100-$200 more for a full set of 4 tires with installation. Always get quotes detailing these costs before purchasing.

Tips for Saving Money on New Tires

While essential, quality new tires represent a major automotive investment. Here are smart tips for maximizing savings:

• Shop end of winter sales for deals on snow tires or off-season performance tire bargains
• Buy previous year tire models still in stock for closeout discounts
• Consider reputable lesser-known brands to save over major labels
• Check warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club for discounted tire installation packages
• Use coupons, rebates, and promos from brands and retailers
• Pay with a rewards credit card to earn cashback on big tire purchases
• Buy in sets of 4 for optimum pricing – avoid single replacement tires whenever possible

With smart shopping, you can get the tires you need at the best available prices.

Are Expensive Premium Tires Worth the Cost?

Premium tire brands that cost $200+ per tire clearly come at a price. But are high-end tires worth it? For many buyers, the answer is yes for:

• Enhanced safety and performance
• Improved wet and dry handling
• Shorter braking distance
• Less road noise for a quieter ride
• Increased treadwear mileage warranties of 60,000 to 80,000+ miles

While the upfront price hits hard, paying a bit more for quality tires pays off via better ride, handling, and longevity. Still focus on reputable mid-range tires if budgets are tight.

Final Words

With this pricing information, you can shop informed and confidently budget for your next new set of tires. Just be sure to focus on quality safety and value over strictly the lowest prices.