Mobility Matters: Vehicle Access and Upward Mobility

"In a time when so much around us feels like it is constantly changing, there are fundamental truths that do not. One of those enduring truths is the vital role a vehicle plays in a person’s life—serving as an essential bridge to earnings, family health and overall well-being."

— Sanjiv Yajnik, President, Financial Services, Capital One

Access to a personal vehicle can be profoundly meaningful for individuals and families. Far more than a way to get from point A to point B, reliable mobility can fuel independence, expand economic opportunity and bring peace of mind. When people lack reliable transportation, geographic boundaries can quickly become economic boundaries—creating a self-reinforcing cycle that can constrain job search locations, shift flexibility and impact earning capacity. In today's climate, a vehicle can be the difference between accepting a promotion across town or turning it down; making it to a child’s healthcare appointment on time instead of running behind; and building financial resilience rather than navigating economic uncertainty. 

To understand how this dynamic is unfolding today, Capital One went directly to everyday Americans. Our latest Mobility Access Research underscores just how deeply physical mobility correlates with upward mobility.

As we recognize the importance of vehicle access, we must also acknowledge market realities. Navigating vehicle ownership involves complex financial considerations, as ongoing operating expenses and upfront costs continue to weigh on household budgets. While budgeting guides and financial information alone cannot alter market conditions, plain-language guidance provides essential clarity during the car-buying experience. When consumers have transparency into the total cost of ownership, they gain the confidence needed to align major purchases with their household budgets before stepping onto a lot.

By equipping consumers with the transparent tools they ask for, we can help demystify a major financial decision—and help ensure that when people are ready, physical mobility becomes a lasting bridge to financial well-being.

— Sanjiv Yajnik, President, Financial Services, Capital One

Behind the everyday routine of commuting to work, managing healthcare and supporting overall well-being lies an important factor: personal mobility. In Capital One’s 2026 Mobility Access study—which evaluated 2,831 U.S. adults across varying levels of vehicle access—analyzing how personal vehicle access intersects with financial stability uncovered a consistent pattern. Reliable vehicle access aligns with expanded earning potential, greater job resilience and reduced daily stress. 

We surveyed three distinct segments of consumers with varying levels of vehicle access:

• Car-Secure: have always had consistent access to a personal vehicle 

• Car-Limited: have had intermittent access to a personal vehicle

• Car-Hopeful: currently do not have, but would like, access to a personal vehicle

Across these groups, we found that macroeconomic factors and higher car expenses create complexity for prospective car buyers. Although budgeting guides and financial transparency can’t alter market vehicle prices or eliminate macro affordability pressures, prospective car buyers share that plain-language guidance offers a critical tool to build confidence and navigate what might be one of the largest purchases they will make. 

Survey responses highlight a strong connection between personal vehicle access and career stability. Rather than viewing a car as an optional expense, response data from working adults suggests physical mobility is essential for earning potential and geographic flexibility:

• Financial Stability: Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful are twice as likely as Car-Secure consumers to describe their current financial situation as unstable (58% vs. 28%).

• Self-Reported Earning Potential: Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful consumers estimate that having access to a reliable vehicle would allow them to pursue better job opportunities and shift flexibility, supporting a self-reported average of ~$21,000 in additional annual income.

• Career Growth: Consistent vehicle access is associated with higher rates of career advancement, with Car-Secure consumers reporting pay raises at twice the rate and promotions at 1.5 times the rate of Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful ones over the past 12 months.

• Workplace Resilience: Lack of vehicle access may directly affect job retention. Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful are 5x more likely to report being unable to get to work and 1.5x more likely to experience reduced hours or job termination compared to those who are Car-Secure. Over 1 in 3 Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful consumers (35%) state that a vehicle holds the key to securing better job access.

• Housing Choices: Vehicle access directly shapes housing choices. 38% of Car-Hopeful consumers report having to live closer to work or school, 35% are restricted to transit-adjacent neighborhoods and 22% report paying higher rent or mortgage costs just to live in walkable areas.

"When people lack reliable transportation, geographic boundaries become economic boundaries. That constrains job search location, shift flexibility and earning capacity." — Sanjiv Yajnik, President, Financial Services, Capital One

Survey respondents shared both the perceived benefits of vehicle access and  the drawbacks of going without, illustrating how vehicle access directly shapes daily personal and family health and stability.

• Healthcare Access & Provider Choice: 1 in 3 Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful consumers (37%) report having missed or delayed a critical healthcare appointment for themselves or a family member solely due to a lack of a personal vehicle. Beyond attendance, vehicle access expands care quality: 39% of those who are Car-Secure say a car lets them choose higher-quality care over proximity, and 41% report a broader choice of medical providers.

• Child Enrichment: 38% of Car-Hopeful parents state that obtaining a car would enable their children to participate in extracurricular activities, sports or after-school programs.

• Daily Family Stress: Approximately 1 in 4 Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful parents (26%) say coordinating daily transportation for their children is a significant, recurring source of emotional stress.

While everyday Americans recognize how essential a vehicle is to their economic stability, rising market costs can create barriers.

Survey findings reveal that 58% of Car-Hopeful consumers are not at all confident they can afford a new or used personal vehicle in today's market. Furthermore, approximately half (49%) of those with car access report that their total vehicle operating costs—including car payments, insurance, fuel and maintenance—have increased over the past year.

To manage increases in gasoline prices, drivers report making specific household trade-offs, with 44% of Car-Secure and Car-Limited drivers cutting back on discretionary household spending to afford vehicle ownership.

While financial literacy and budgeting tools cannot lower market prices or inflation, the data demonstrates why consumers value them: process clarity and upfront predictability. Faced with higher total costs and large purchasing decisions, Car-Hopeful consumers indicate that transparent financial planning gives them the structure needed to evaluate monthly budgets before entering a dealership.

When considering a vehicle purchase, 69% of Car-Hopeful buyers focus on monthly payment affordability, while 52% evaluate the total cost of ownership. 70% express a need for guidance, with 24% noting they wouldn't know where to start.

Tools that help streamline dealership interactions and foster clear, transparent financing discussions rank highest to build confidence during the car buying experience:

• Pre-Dealership Preparation: 35% seek a checklist of essential questions to ask a dealer before agreeing to terms.  

• Upfront Financing Clarity: 33% identify getting pre-qualified for financing before visiting a dealership as a primary confidence booster.

• Process Transparency: They also prioritize step-by-step car buying guides (25%), pricing clarity strategies (24%), and plain-language financing breakdowns (24%).

Ultimately, transparent tools and total-cost visibility are about far more than streamlining a transaction. While educational resources can’t solve cost challenges, helping Car-Hopeful buyers get the clarity to navigate major purchasing decisions helps ensure that when they are ready, physical mobility can serve as a lasting engine to unlock economic opportunities, personal independence and personal and family well-being.

The Capital One Mobility Access Survey was conducted online by HawkPartners, a market research consultancy, from July 8 through July 29, 2026, among a nationally representative sample of 2,831 U.S. adults. Respondents were evaluated across three mutually exclusive vehicle access tiers: Car-Secure (consistent auto access; n=1,289); Car-Limited (intermittent auto access, n=763); and Car-Hopeful (lack access but want it, n=779). All reported subgroup differences are statistically significant at the 90% confidence interval. Findings reflect self-reported consumer survey insights and are independent of Capital One's credit underwriting, risk assessment, or lending practices.