Small plane (buy and own) cost in 2026
Small plane (buy and own) costs $40,000 to $402,000 per plane in 2026, and most people pay about $221,000.
What moves the price
- The age of the plane matters a lot, because old planes cost far less than new ones.
- The model and make change the price, and a Cirrus costs more than a Cessna 150.
- The engine hours, the radios and the panel upgrades change what a buyer pays.
- Asking prices are often higher than sale prices, and many planes sell for about 80 percent of the ask.
- Where the plane is parked and how often it is flown changes the yearly cost to own it.
- Where you live. Prices in big cities usually run higher than in small towns.
What is included
The range is per plane, to buy. The purchase price covers the plane and its logbooks. It does not cover insurance, a hangar or tie-down spot, fuel, oil, the yearly inspection or repairs. One older guide put yearly costs at about $12,570 for a used plane flown lightly and about $29,650 for a new plane flown a lot.
Small plane prices by type
| Type of plane | Price as printed |
|---|---|
| Vintage Cessna 150/152 or Piper Cherokee 140 (flyable) | About $40,000 |
| 1970s two seaters (Cessna 152, Grumman Yankee) | $50,000 to $80,000 |
| 1970s four seaters (Cessna 172, Piper PA-28) | $60,000 to $90,000 |
| Cessna 172 from the 2000s | $170,000 to $200,000 |
| 1990s and 2000s four seaters (Cirrus SR20, Diamond DA40) | $100,000 to $400,000 |
| Used Cirrus SR20 (made 1999 to 2003), average | $210,000 |
| New Cessna 172SP (2023) | About $402,000 |
| New Cirrus SR22 or Diamond DA40 | $600,000 or more |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: Thrust Flight.
Yearly costs to own a small plane
| Cost | Price as printed |
|---|---|
| Insurance, single engine | $1,500 to $2,000 a year |
| Insurance, new Cessna 172 | $5,000 to $10,000 a year |
| Tie-down spot | $420 to $900 a year |
| Hangar | $1,800 to $12,000 a year |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: Thrust Flight.
Ways to pay less
- Buying an older plane, such as a 1960s or 1970s Cessna 172, costs far less than a newer one.
- A tie-down spot costs about $420 to $900 a year, which is much less than a hangar.
- Buyers can offer less than the ask, because many planes sell for about 80 percent of the listed price.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages. They do not all measure the same thing, so the ranges on this page come from putting them side by side.
- Thrust Flight: How Much Do Airplanes Cost?
- Honeywell Aerospace: The Real Cost of Owning an Airplane
- Aircraft Cost Calculator: Cirrus SR20 operating costs
- SmartReads by SmartAsset (Nasdaq): How Much It Costs to Own a Small Plane
Common questions
How much does this cost in 2026?
Small plane (buy and own) costs $40,000 to $402,000 per plane in 2026, and most people pay about $221,000. Most people pay about $221,000 per plane. The low end is $40,000 and the high end is $402,000.
What changes the price the most?
The biggest factors are: The age of the plane matters a lot, because old planes cost far less than new ones; The model and make change the price, and a Cirrus costs more than a Cessna 150; The engine hours, the radios and the panel upgrades change what a buyer pays.
How can I pay less?
Buying an older plane, such as a 1960s or 1970s Cessna 172, costs far less than a newer one. A tie-down spot costs about $420 to $900 a year, which is much less than a hangar. Buyers can offer less than the ask, because many planes sell for about 80 percent of the listed price.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 4 named price guides: Thrust Flight, Honeywell Aerospace, Aircraft Cost Calculator, SmartReads by SmartAsset (Nasdaq). Each one is linked on this page with the date we read it.
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