Experts Reveal the Income Needed To Comfortably Lease a Car in 2026
Written by
Sean Bryant
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
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Do you need a new car? One of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to lease or buy. Purchasing a vehicle outright can be expensive, with high monthly payments, sizable down payments and ongoing maintenance costs. If buying doesn’t fit your needs or budget, leasing may be a more flexible alternative.
In this article, we break down the income you need to comfortably lease a car in 2026, according to car experts. With this guidance, you can walk into the dealership confident — and drive away without derailing your financial goals.
What Is the Average Car Lease?
According to Experian, the average car lease payment was $659, slightly lower than the average monthly loan payment of $682. However, this doesn’t mean you should expect to pay over $600 for a car lease. Car experts agree that you can find more affordable options, such as a Honda Civic or Hyundai Venue, for $250 a month.
The final lease price will depend on the make, model, down payment, and lease term. For example, Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org, said, “If you want to lease a luxury car like a Yukon Denali, you’d need to plan for about $1,300 a month. You might have to put down $10,000, although you may find a lease option requiring less down.”
Income Needed To Comfortably Lease a Car in 2026
Ultimately, the income needed to comfortably lease a car in 2026 is highly dependent on your personal goals. Some people prefer to take on the lowest lease price possible, while others like to maximize their budget.
“To comfortably lease a car in 2026, a great rule of thumb is to keep your monthly payment at or below 10% of your gross monthly income,” said Zander Cook, chief revenue officer at Lease End. “With current pricing, that means for a budget vehicle leasing around $450 a month, you should aim for an annual income of about $54,000.”
Cook continued by saying, “For the average family SUV, where payments often hover near $660, you’re looking at a salary of $80,000 to feel secure, and for luxury vehicles, you’ll want to be earning over $108,000. Staying within these limits helps ensure that your car payment doesn’t eat into other financial goals or emergency savings.”
Other Factors Outside of Income
Lease prices include a variety of items, all of which are important to analyze to determine affordability.
“Beyond just income, I always advise consumers to look at the total structure of the deal, specifically the down payment. It might be tempting to put $5,000 down to lower that monthly payment into a comfortable range, but in a lease, that money is essentially prepaid rent that you risk losing if the car is totaled early in the contract,” Cook said. “A truly affordable lease is one where the numbers work with zero or very little money down. If the payment only fits your budget after a large capital reduction, it’s usually a sign that the vehicle is a bit more expensive than what your current income supports.”
The Bottom Line
Before you walk into the dealership, it’s important to do the math on the lease you can afford. With a maximum number in mind, you can comfortably shop for the perfect vehicle and lease price that fits your budget.
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