Ram 1500 depreciation: when to buy & cost to own
Estimates as of July 2026.
The Ram 1500 (Truck, ~$63,500 new) loses about 50.1% of its value in five years — it depreciates faster than the 41.8% market average. Its cheapest age to buy is 2 years old: held five years that's about $3,123/yr in depreciation and upkeep versus $6,902/yr buying new — keeping 54.8% more of your money.
Add taxes & registration: at ~$63,500 new, sales tax alone is about $4,445 (at 7%), but at 2 years old it's about $2,667 — roughly $1,778 saved in sales tax alone. Value-based registration is charged each year too. Set the rates for your state in the calculator below.
Depreciation chart: value by age
Ram 1500 depreciation chart — the graph and table show estimated resale value by age and model year, from real current used-listing prices.
| Age | Model year | Est. resale value | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New | 2026 (new) | $63,500 | 0% |
| 1 yr | 2025 | $45,720 | 28% |
| 2 yr | 2024 | $38,100 | 40% |
| 3 yr | 2023 | $37,973 | 40.2% |
| 4 yr | 2022 | $34,608 | 45.5% |
| 5 yr | 2021 | $31,687 | 50.1% |
| 7 yr | 2019 | $26,563 | 58.2% |
| 10 yr | 2016 | $20,389 | 67.9% |
What will it cost you to own?
All-in cost = depreciation + maintenance + sales tax + registration. The calculator opens at this car's computed best buy age; drag "Buy at (age)" to compare. Sales tax and registration vary by state — the defaults (7% tax, value-based registration) are U.S. ballparks; set 0 where they don't apply. Figures are modeled estimates. How we estimate this →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Ram 1500 depreciate?
About 50.1% over the first 5 years (market average ~41.8%): a $63,500 Ram 1500 is worth roughly $31,687 at year five.
When is the best time to buy a used Ram 1500?
At about 2 years old — after the front-loaded drop, before rising upkeep. The calculator above shows the total and per-year cost for any buy-age and holding period.
When should I sell a Ram 1500?
Depreciation is steepest in year 1 — about 28% of the new price in that year alone. If you're selling, the biggest value hits come early: sell before the steep years to capture more, or hold past year five, where the curve flattens and each extra year costs less in lost resale value. Current estimated resale values by model year are in the table above.
Why are used Ram 1500s so cheap?
Because a Ram 1500 loses about 50.1% of its value in five years — far more than the 41.8% market average. High running costs, expensive out-of-warranty repairs, and a steady stream of lease returns push used prices down. That's bad for the first owner and a bargain for the second — see the cost-to-own calculator above.