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New tire prices by type
Tire prices depend mostly on the type of tire and the size of your wheels. These averages come from Consumer Reports test tires, priced by Clark.com in May 2026.
| Tire type | Price range per tire | Average per tire | Set of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-season | $78.95-$215 | $151.05 | ~$604 |
| Winter/snow | $71.74-$189 | $142.80 | ~$571 |
| Ultra-high performance all-season | $89-$189.99 | $158.04 | ~$632 |
| All-season SUV | $155.08-$867.68 | $245.49 | ~$982 |
Source: Clark.com, Consumer Reports price data, May 2026. Set of four is our calculation (average times four), before installation and tax.
Clark.com also reports that the average price of a tire Consumer Reports recommends is $194.99. In other words, a top-rated tire usually costs more than the category average, but not dramatically more.
For a longer view, Consumer Reports’ last large member survey found readers paid a median of $167 per tire in 2020, up from $148 in 2018.
Prices by wheel size
Bigger wheels mean pricier tires. Discount Tire publishes these ballpark ranges per tire.
| Wheel size | All-season | Winter/snow | All-terrain | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (12”-15”) | $80-$150 | $100-$150 | n/a | n/a |
| Medium (16”-20”) | $100-$250 | $200-$400 | $150-$250 | $100-$750 |
| Large (18”-26”) | $140-$170 | n/a | $200-$500 | $200-$1,000 |
Source: Discount Tire, Tire Prices Guide (no date shown).
Medium wheels cover most cars, SUVs and small trucks. Large wheels are mostly full-size trucks. Upstart notes that high-performance SUV and truck tires can run $400 or more each.
What drives the price
- Wheel size. Discount Tire says larger diameters generally cost more, which is why trucks and big SUVs pay the most.
- Tire type. Winter, performance and all-terrain tires often cost more than all-season touring tires, per Discount Tire.
- Brand. In Consumer Reports’ 2020 survey, median prices ranged from about $121 per tire for Kumho to $215 for Nokian. Michelin came in at $185 and Goodyear at $151, before installation.
- Vehicle type. The same survey found median prices of $137 per tire for sedans and minivans, $162 for SUVs and $187 for pickups and vans.
- Promotions. Manufacturer and retailer deals change often, so the same tire can cost noticeably less in a different month.
Those 2020 survey prices are older than the 2026 averages above, so use them to compare brands and vehicle types, not as today’s price.
Installation and extra costs
The tire price is not the whole bill. Most shops charge to mount and balance each tire, and some add disposal fees and valve stems.
| Retailer | Installation per tire |
|---|---|
| Costco | Included in tire price |
| Walmart | $18 |
| Sam’s Club | $20 |
| BJ’s Tire Center | $20 |
| Discount Tire | $24 |
| Tire Rack (partner shops) | $29.68 average |
| Mobile installation | About $40 |
Source: Clark.com, May 2026.
Across all shop types, Upstart puts installation at $15 to nearly $45 per tire. Consumer Reports found dealerships charged the most, about $36 per tire.
Other costs to plan for:
- Road hazard warranty. Walmart charges about $10 per tire. Consumer Reports found it is often under $20 per tire, and in its survey 27% of buyers got one free while 19% paid for one. Per Clark.com, Costco includes a five-year road hazard warranty, Sam’s Club a four-year one and BJ’s a three-year one with free lifetime maintenance.
- Wheel alignment. RepairPal estimates $186 to $273. It is not always needed, but a bad alignment wears out new tires early.
- Sales tax, which applies to the tires and sometimes to the labor.
What a full set really costs
Putting it together, here is a realistic range for four new tires, installed (our calculation):
- Budget car tires: four all-season tires near the low end of the range, about $316, plus $72 to $96 for installation.
- Average car tires: about $604 for four all-season tires, plus installation, for roughly $676 to $700.
- SUV tires: about $982 for four average all-season SUV tires, plus installation, for roughly $1,050 to $1,080.
- Add an alignment and the average car total rises to about $860 to $975.
Tires are one of the regular bills that make up the true cost of owning a car. If your shop also flags worn pads, check our brake replacement cost guide before you approve the work.
How to pay less for tires
- Compare the out-the-door price. Ask each shop for the total with installation, balancing, disposal and tax, so you compare like for like.
- Ask what is free. In Consumer Reports’ survey, about half of buyers got free balancing and rotation, 44% got free mounting and 32% got free disposal.
- Try negotiating. Only 14% of buyers in that survey haggled, but 70% of those got a better deal, saving a median of $96 per set.
- Watch for rebates. Manufacturer and retailer promotions are common and are usually bigger on a full set of four.
- Skip the dealership for installation if you can. It was the most expensive option in Consumer Reports’ survey.
- Rotate your tires on the schedule in your owner’s manual so the set wears evenly and lasts longer.
When to replace your tires
Replace tires when the tread gets low, when you see cracks or bulges in the sidewall, or when a tire keeps losing air after a repair. When you shop, Consumer Reports suggests looking at safety traits such as wet braking, winter traction and hydroplaning resistance before you compare prices. If you are planning a long drive, check them before you go, and budget the trip with our road trip cost calculator.
See how we research every number on our method page, or browse more car costs.
Common questions
How much do 4 new tires cost installed?
For a typical all-season car tire averaging about $151, four tires come to about $604, and installation at around $18 to $24 per tire adds roughly $72 to $96 (our calculation from Clark.com data). Expect about $676 to $700 in total before tax and any alignment.
Why are SUV and truck tires more expensive?
They are larger and built to carry more weight. All-season SUV tires average about $245 each in Clark.com's May 2026 data, and Discount Tire lists all-terrain tires for large wheels at $200 to $500 each.
Where is the cheapest place to get tires installed?
Costco includes installation in its tire price, and Walmart charges about $18 per tire, per Clark.com. Consumer Reports found dealerships charged the most for installation, about $36 per tire.
Do I need an alignment with new tires?
It is not always required, but a bad alignment wears new tires out early, so many shops recommend checking it. RepairPal estimates a wheel alignment at $186 to $273.
Sources
Every number above comes from these pages. We list the date each page showed when we checked it.
- Clark.com, Best Tires for Your Money (Consumer Reports prices)
- Discount Tire, Tire Prices Guide
- Upstart, How Much Do Tires Cost and Tips to Save
- Consumer Reports, How to Save Money When Buying Replacement Tires
- RepairPal, Wheel Alignment Cost Estimate
Estimates are for general information only. Get written quotes from licensed local pros before you decide.




