Salt Lake City ranks fourth among big U.S. cities as a place to own a car — considering the cost of driving, congestion, parking availability and likelihood of accidents, according to a new study.
NerdWallet, a consumer website, released the study Monday, showing the only big U.S. cities with a better overall experience for motorists are, in order, Omaha, Neb.; Kansas City, Mo.; and El Paso, Texas.
One reason Salt Lakers rank so high is "they pay a lot less than the national average for car insurance," Jeff Chu, author of the study, said in an interview.
The average yearly cost for insurance in Salt Lake City is about $772, he said, or more than $300 less than the national average of $1,100.
Utah's capital also averages 84 days with rain or snow a year, or 28 days (or nearly a month) less than the average 112 days nationally.
"Precipitation," Chu said, "has a big effect on driving."
He added that Salt Lakers "have a lower average for hours of delay" from traffic congestion than most Americans. Salt Lakers spend an average of 30 hours a year stuck in traffic, about three hours less than the national average, according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
Gasoline prices were a bit cheaper in Salt Lake City. In 2014, they averaged $3.33 — compared with a $3.44 U.S. adverage.
In addition, Salt Lake City offers a decent number of parking lots and garages per commuter: 0.64 per 1,000 commuters. That ratio is better than in 16 other cities in the top 25.
Salt Lake City drivers did rank worse when it comes to accidents. There is a 3.4 percent greater likelihood of being in a crash here than nationally. Even so, 17 big cities listed among the top 25 had even worse rates.
Chu said Salt Lakers have only limited ways that they can improve their car-owning experience.
"It's pretty hard trying to control not being stuck in traffic," he said. "But one thing they can do to alleviate how much they spend on their car is to shop around for car insurance."
He said comparing prices on insurance could save hundreds of dollars a year in some instances and may be the easiest way to lower ownership costs.
Tribune file photo Early morning traffic heads into downtown Salt Lake City off of the 600 South exit on I-15 Tuesday, April 26, 2011.