Parking Cost Calculator
What your parking really costs a day, a month and a year — hourly with first-hour price, billing blocks and a daily cap, an all-day rate or a monthly pass — and which option is cheapest, with break-even days, parking tax, employer subsidy and pre-tax commuter savings.
How it works
by the hour per day = (first hour + (billed hours − 1) × hourly rate, capped at the daily maximum) + visit fee, × (1 + tax) · billed hours = hours rounded up to the billing block · all-day = (day rate + fee) × (1 + tax) · month = per day × days · break-even days = pass ÷ cost per day · pre-tax saving = min(cost, $340) × tax rate
Pay-as-you-go parking is what one day costs times the days you park a month. A day by the hour is the billed time (rounded up to the meter’s or garage’s block, if it uses one) times the hourly rate, with a separate first-hour price if the garage has one, then capped at the daily maximum. Fees and parking tax are added on top. The calculator prices the same month three ways — by the hour, at the all-day rate and with a monthly pass — and shows which is cheapest, the number of days at which the pass starts to win, and how many hours a day make the all-day ticket worth it. In the US, parking at work can be paid from pre-tax pay (up to $340 a month in 2026), which saves your tax rate on that amount; an employer subsidy comes off the top.
Worked example
At $4 an hour for 3 hours, a day costs $12; over 20 days that’s $240 a month pay-as-you-go, or $2,880 a year. A $180 monthly pass beats that by $60 a month ($720 a year) and pays for itself after 180 ÷ 12 = 15 days. The $15 all-day ticket would cost $300 a month, and only beats the hourly rate when you park more than 3¾ hours. Paying the $180 pass pre-tax at a 30% tax rate saves another $54 a month.
Sources: IRS Publication 15-B (2026) — qualified parking exclusion
Frequently asked questions
When is a monthly parking pass worth it?
Once your pay-as-you-go cost for the month exceeds the pass price. Divide the pass price by your daily cost to get the break-even days: if you park more days than that each month, the pass saves money. The table shows the cost of each option from 4 to 30 days a month.
When should I buy the all-day ticket instead of paying hourly?
When your hours times the hourly rate would go above the day rate. At $4 an hour and a $15 day rate, that point is just under 4 hours. The calculator works out that cut-off, including billing blocks and a first-hour price.
What does a daily maximum do?
Many garages stop charging after a certain amount in one day. If you enter it, the hourly cost is capped there, so long days cost no more than the maximum.
Can I pay for parking with pre-tax money?
In the US, yes, if your employer offers a qualified transportation benefit. Parking at or near work can be paid from pre-tax pay, up to $340 a month in 2026. You save your income tax plus the 7.65% payroll tax on that amount. Parking near home is not covered.
Should I factor in anything besides price?
Yes — a pass often guarantees a spot in one garage, which saves time and stress, while pay-as-you-go gives flexibility to park wherever is cheapest that day. Weigh the convenience against the small savings if the two costs are close.
How can I cut parking costs without a pass?
Park a few blocks out where rates drop, use apps that pre-book cheaper garage spots, split a pass with someone on a different schedule, or check whether your employer offers subsidized or pre-tax commuter parking, which can lower the effective cost substantially.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.