[tsally]

Your numbers are off in essentially every area. Car payment is $200-$250 a month, insurance is $100 a month, gas is $50 a month, and call it an amortized $100 a month for repairs and other expenses. In total, an average car costs $500 a month. And never mind the cost for parking. In contrast, passes for public transportation cost somewhere from $50-$100, _but_ you can usually get them subsidized and/or pre-tax. In Boston, I'm able to get an unlimited pass through my employer for $35 pre-tax a month and my car costs me $500 post-tax a month. In major cities, cars are strictly a luxury. Note, I bought one a few months ago and couldn't be happier, but I'm under no illusions: it is a luxury.

[esrauch]

If you are getting a T pass for $35 then your company is just paying for a portion of it; some companies give it to their employees for free, but that doesn't mean it's free.

That said, a T-pass is $70/month and most people can pay that pre-tax. Still considerably less than car ownership.