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Cost Comparison

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Toyota Tacoma

Choosing between the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Toyota Tacoma 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.

Key assumptions for this page

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — 5-year cost$51,510
Toyota Tacoma — 5-year cost$42,832
Difference over 5 years$8,678
Cheaper to ownToyota Tacoma

Sources: Kelley Blue Book — figures are estimates last reviewed 2026; verify before purchase.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Toyota Tacoma: run the numbers

Cheaper to own over 5 years

Toyota Tacoma

by $8,678Chevrolet Silverado 1500: $51,510 · Toyota Tacoma: $42,832

Lower 5-year total cost

🏆 Toyota Tacoma

Lower fuel cost

🏆 Toyota Tacoma

Lower depreciation

🏆 Toyota Tacoma

Lower insurance estimate

🏆 Toyota Tacoma

Lower cost per mile

🏆 Toyota Tacoma

Baseline 5-year cost breakdown

MSRP + EPA efficiency · USD
CostChevrolet Silverado 1500Toyota Tacoma
Depreciation$23,723$17,688
Fuel$10,737$8,870
Insurance$11,550$11,025
Maintenance$5,500$5,250
5-year total$51,510$42,832
Cost per mile$0.86$0.71

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 / yearChevrolet Silverado 1500Toyota TacomaCheaper
8,000 mi$47,931$39,876Tacoma
12,000 mi· now$51,510$42,832Tacoma
15,000 mi$54,194$45,050Tacoma
20,000 mi$58,668$48,745Tacoma
30,000 mi$67,615$56,137Tacoma

Estimates only, not quotes. Depreciation, insurance and maintenance use segment-typical assumptions; insurance is modeled from each model's risk factor against a national average, not a quote. Verify with dealers and insurers before deciding.

Good to know

Specific, useful answers for this page.

Is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or the Toyota Tacoma 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 Silverado 1500 depreciates faster, while insurance tracks each car's risk factor (Silverado 1500: 1.10×, Tacoma: 1.05×).

Does the price gap between the Silverado 1500 and Tacoma matter long term?

The two start within about $4k of each other, so the sticker is close to a wash and running costs decide it. With similar drivetrains, fuel and maintenance land close, leaving depreciation and insurance as the deciders.