Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Ram 1500
Choosing between the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ram 1500 is really a question of total cost, not sticker price. Below we compare both over five years — depreciation, fuel, insurance and maintenance — then let you run your own mileage.
2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
WT 2.7L Turbo 2WD
2026 Ram 1500
Tradesman 3.6L V6 2WD
| $36,900 | MSRP (base, excl. dest.) | $42,025 |
| 20 MPG | Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
| $48,920 | 5-yr cost of ownership | $52,684 |
| $0.82 | Cost per mile | $0.88 |
Over five years, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the cheaper to own by about $3,763 on these modeled defaults (12,000 mi/yr). Every figure is an editable estimate — run the calculators with your own mileage, financing and local prices.
Run at 12,000 miles a year for five years, MotorCrunch's ownership model puts the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at $48,920 all-in against $52,684 for the Ram 1500 — a gap of $3,763, about $753 a year. That is real money, but not decisive on its own — a different mileage pattern or a strong deal on either car can narrow it.
The biggest line separating them is depreciation: roughly $27,372 for the 1500 versus $23,220 for the Silverado 1500 over five years. With the same drivetrain type, the spread comes down to depreciation (18% vs 19% a year) and each model's insurance risk factor (1.10× vs 1.12×).
On sticker, the 1500 starts about $5,125 higher. Since depreciation compounds off the price you actually pay, the pricier car usually loses more dollars too — the calculator below lets you test both at your own mileage before the sticker decides for you.
Key assumptions for this page
Modeled figures: values tagged modeled are MotorCrunch modeled estimates — outputs of our own transparent models, not published statistics or quotes. Computed with MotorCrunch's ownership-cost model: compounding depreciation, energy at national average prices, modeled insurance and maintenance baselines. Miles ÷ efficiency × national average energy price (last-known-good published price, see /data-sources). Computed with MotorCrunch's premium-factor model (the same model as the estimator widget) at a default driver profile, using this page's vehicle value. Full method: Methodology.
Data updated: 2026-07-17 — verify before purchase.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Ram 1500: run the numbers
Cheaper to own over 5 years
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
by $3,763 — Chevrolet Silverado 1500: $48,920 · Ram 1500: $52,684
Lower 5-year total cost
🏆 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Lower fuel cost
🏆 Ram 1500
Lower depreciation
🏆 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Lower insurance estimate
🏆 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Lower cost per mile
🏆 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Baseline 5-year cost breakdown
MSRP + EPA efficiency · USD| Cost | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Ram 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | $23,220 | $27,372 |
| Fuel | $10,200 | $9,273 |
| Insurance | $10,001 | $10,439 |
| Maintenance | $5,500 | $5,600 |
| 5-year total | $48,920 | $52,684 |
| Cost per mile | $0.82 | $0.88 |
Customize your scenario
The baseline uses each car's MSRP, EPA-rated efficiency and segment-typical depreciation. Change the assumptions below to match how you actually drive — your result may differ from the baseline.
5-year cost by annual mileage
| Miles / year | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Ram 1500 | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 mi | $45,520 | $49,593 | Silverado 1500 |
| 12,000 mi· now | $48,920 | $52,684 | Silverado 1500 |
| 15,000 mi | $51,470 | $55,002 | Silverado 1500 |
| 20,000 mi | $55,720 | $58,866 | Silverado 1500 |
| 30,000 mi | $64,220 | $66,593 | Silverado 1500 |
Estimates only, not quotes. Depreciation and maintenance use segment-typical modeled assumptions; insurance is a MotorCrunch modeled estimate for a typical driver profile based on each model's value — not an insurer quote. Verify with dealers and insurers before deciding.
Good to know
Specific, useful answers for this page.
Is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or the Ram 1500 cheaper to own?＋
Over five years, total ownership cost comes down to depreciation, fuel, insurance and maintenance. The breakdown above totals both side by side so you can see the real gap, not just the sticker difference.
What's the biggest cost difference between them?＋
Usually depreciation and insurance dominate. The 1500 depreciates faster, while insurance tracks each car's risk factor (Silverado 1500: 1.10×, 1500: 1.12×).
Does the price gap between the Silverado 1500 and 1500 matter long term?＋
The 1500 costs about $5k more upfront, and since depreciation is a percentage of price, the costlier car usually loses more dollars too. With similar drivetrains, fuel and maintenance land close, leaving depreciation and insurance as the deciders.