Scenario planning
Car vs Public Transport Personal Inflation Scenario
Transport choices change your monthly basket and weights. Comparing a car vs public transport personal inflation scenario helps you see how long-term cost pressure could differ under your assumptions. This is educational only, not a recommendation or forecast.
Published: December 30, 2025 · Updated: December 30, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
- Educational purposes only, not financial advice.
- Examples are illustrative and simplified.
- Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.
- This page does not predict fuel prices, fares, or future inflation.
- See the Privacy Policy for handling details.
Open the personal inflation basket calculator
Build both scenarios, compare rates, and see Year 5 and Year 10 costs.
Quick answer
- Build two baskets with consistent categories.
- Change only what differs between car and public transport.
- Compare weights, personal inflation rate, and Year 5/Year 10 costs.
- Treat results as direction, not certainty.
What changes between the two baskets
| Cost area | Car scenario examples | Public transport scenario examples |
|---|---|---|
| Routine monthly cost | Fuel/charging, insurance, parking. | Passes, fares, occasional rideshare. |
| Occasional spikes | Repairs, tires, maintenance. | Big fare changes, occasional taxi if no pass. |
| Price sensitivity | Fuel price swings, maintenance surprises. | Fare changes, service changes. |
Step by step: build two baskets
- Create a Base basket for your current month.
- Save the scenario as “Car” (or “Current”).
- Duplicate into a second scenario called “Public transport.”
- Adjust transport line items and related categories like parking, rideshare, and maintenance.
- Compare scenarios in the tool; see the compare scenarios guide for steps.
Illustrative example
Round numbers for clarity. Your inputs will differ.
| Category | Car monthly spend | Public transport monthly spend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | $500 | $220 | Car costs vs pass and fares. |
| Housing | $1,200 | $1,200 | No change. |
| Food | $450 | $450 | No change. |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | No change. |
| Subscriptions | $80 | $80 | No change. |
Illustrative outputs if inflation percents stay steady:
| Scenario | Transport weight | Personal inflation rate | Year 10 annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 25% | 3.6% | ≈ $34,800 |
| Public transport | 13% | 3.2% | ≈ $32,900 |
Takeaway: changing transport weight changes the personal rate and projected costs. Use your own numbers, then compare ranges.
Limitations and safe interpretation
- This is not a full car ownership calculator.
- One off purchases and depreciation may not be captured unless you model them as monthly averages.
- Inflation rates can vary and change.
- Use low, base, and high assumptions and rerun when your routine changes.
- See the transport deep dive for more context.
FAQ preview
What categories should I change for car vs public transport?
Transport items like fuel, insurance, fares, maintenance, and parking.
Should I include one off repairs?
Spread them as monthly averages if you want them reflected.
How do I handle annual insurance?
Convert to monthly so your weight calculation is consistent.
What inflation percent should I use for fuel or fares?
Use your own assumptions; this does not forecast prices.
How do I compare scenarios?
Save both scenarios and compare rates and Year 5/Year 10 costs side by side.
Can I export results?
Yes, export charts and tables from the tool.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is educational and depends on your inputs; outputs are estimates.