How much does it cost you to get to work?

[dmallind]

53. And if you already have or would have a car, as is true for most people

The purchase price and insurance are sunk costs not able to be discretely allocated to that work commute.

Again - if it doesn't change it doesn't matter. If we go the completist route we should add in the food costs that give us the calories expended on commuting, the education costs that gave us the skills to get the job, the taxes that paid for the roads that lead to work, and so on ad infinitum. Just like owning a car, these costs are not derived only from our need to get to work.

It's certainly possible that some insular types with very close-by grocery stores, doctors and other necessities who seek no entertainment options outside their walking radius would not have cars (or transit costs) if they did not work, but need the car for that purpose alone. Only for this tiny group are non-discrete car expenses appropriate to include in the cost to get to work.