How Much Is a New Tire? Prices per Tire and for a Set of Four
Published Oct 23, 2026 · 6 min read · By Hassan, Owner of Roadmate Services
Tires are the only part of your car that touches the road, and the part most of us shop for last. So how much is a new tire? The median price paid is about $167 per tire before installation, in a Consumer Reports member survey. A full set of four, installed, usually runs $400 to $1,200, according to a 2026 dealer guide.
Both are market figures, not Roadmate prices. We do not sell sets of tires. Buying four new tires is a tire shop job, and we would rather tell you that up front.
Quick answer: new tire cost at a glance
Every row is a published market figure from the named source, checked October 2026, not a quote.
| What you pay for | Cost (market figure) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| One tire, all vehicles (median, before installation) | About $167 | Consumer Reports |
| One tire, sedan or minivan (median) | About $137 | Consumer Reports |
| One tire, SUV (median) | About $162 | Consumer Reports |
| One tire, pickup or van (median) | About $187 | Consumer Reports |
| Installation per tire | About $24 on average; $15 to $35 at many shops | Consumer Reports; Walser |
| Road hazard warranty | Often under $20 per tire | Consumer Reports |
| Alignment, only if needed | $80 to $200 | Walser |
| Total: four tires, installed | $400 to $1,200; most pay $600 to $900 | Walser |
Sources: Consumer Reports, how to save money on replacement tires (member survey, updated 2021, prices before installation); Walser, what new tires cost (June 2026).
The survey medians are a few years old, so treat them as a floor rather than a promise. Tire prices rarely go on a diet.
How much are new tires for your vehicle?
Bigger vehicles wear bigger tires, and bigger tires cost more. These are the median prices paid per tire in the Consumer Reports survey, before installation.
Sedans and minivans: about $137 per tire (market figure)
Most compact and midsize cars sit here. Common sizes and all-season tread keep the price down.
SUVs: about $162 per tire (market figure)
Crossovers and SUVs use larger wheels, often 17 inches and up. The same 2026 dealer guide puts a full installed set for an SUV or crossover at $700 to $1,200.
Pickups and vans: about $187 per tire (market figure)
Trucks need tires rated for more weight, and all-terrain tread costs more. Do not step down in load rating to save money. Our guide to tire numbers, load index and speed rating shows where to find yours.
Lifted trucks with oversized tires are their own category. Their owners already know, and their wallets remember.
New tires cost more by tier: budget, mid-range or premium
The same dealer guide splits a set of four by quality tier (market figures, installed):
- Budget: $400 to $700 for the set.
- Mid-range: $700 to $1,100, the usual everyday choice.
- Premium or performance: $1,100 to $1,800.
Price is not a reliable sign of quality, per Consumer Reports testing. A well-reviewed mid-range tire is often the better buy than the most expensive one on the rack. Think of it like the tire shop waiting room coffee: the price on the menu does not tell you how it tastes.
How much do new tires cost installed?
Installation is usually extra. It covers mounting the tire on the wheel, balancing it, a new valve stem and disposing of the old tire. Consumer Reports members paid about $24 per tire on average, and the dealer guide lists $15 to $35 per tire.
Other lines that can show up on the bill:
- Alignment: $80 to $200, and not needed with every set (market figure, Walser).
- Road hazard warranty: often under $20 per tire (market figure, Consumer Reports).
Ask for one out-the-door price for all four. A cheap tire with an expensive installation is not a cheap tire.
Do you need four new tires, or just one or two?
Not always four. If one tire is ruined and the other three have plenty of tread, one new tire can be fine. If you buy two, Michelin recommends putting the new pair on the rear axle for better grip in the wet, and pairing a single new tire with the deepest-tread tire on the car.
All-wheel-drive cars are fussier. Many makers want all four tires close in tread depth, so check the owner’s manual before you replace just one. How much life the rest have left is covered in how long tires last, and how to read a tire’s date code tells you how old they are.
Before you buy: can the old tire be repaired?
A nail or screw in the tread often means a plug, not a new tire. With Roadmate in Columbus, an on-site tire repair is typically $75 to $150, and a plug works in most cases. Damage in the sidewall or shoulder, or a tire driven flat, means replacing it.
One school-day morning, we went to fit the spare on a grandmother’s Lexus. Hassan found a nail in the tread and repaired it on site instead, and she skipped the tire shop altogether.
If you only need your spare put on, see what a roadside tire change costs. The spare buys you time, not miles. It was packed for an emergency, not a road trip.
Flat tire and no spare? What Roadmate does
If you are on a highway shoulder, get safe first, then call. Pull as far from traffic as you can, or stay buckled in with your hazards on.
Many new cars have no spare. When a tire cannot be repaired and there is no usable spare, we can bring a used or new replacement tire to you, or take your tire to a tire shop, get it replaced and bring it back to fit it. The price depends on the tire, so we quote it by phone, and the dispatcher will ask for your tire size. It is printed on the sidewall. A swap to your own working spare is typically $85 to $175.
As Hassan puts it, you cannot plan a flat tire. Good tires, not bald ones, prevent some of them, but the rest still turn up at the worst possible time.
6 ways to pay less for new tires
- Get out-the-door quotes from at least three shops, installation included.
- Ask what is free. Many buyers in the Consumer Reports survey got balancing, rotation or mounting at no charge.
- Ask for a better price. Most survey members who tried it got one.
- Look at test results and treadwear warranties before brand names.
- Buy before the old tires fail. Our guide on when to replace tires shows the penny test.
- Keep them at the right pressure and rotated, so the next set is further away. NHTSA’s tire safety page recommends checking pressure monthly.
Tires are like gym memberships. The cheapest one is the one you actually look after.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay for 4 new tires?
For most cars, a set of four installed runs about $400 to $1,200, and most buyers land between $600 and $900, according to one dealer's 2026 guide. Those are market figures. Ask each shop for one out-the-door price so you compare the same thing.
Can I replace just one tire?
Often, yes, if the other three have plenty of tread and the new tire matches their size and type. Michelin suggests pairing a single new tire with the deepest-tread tire on the car. On AWD cars, check the owner's manual first, because uneven tire sizes can strain the drivetrain.
Is installation included in the tire price?
Usually not. Installation, which covers mounting, balancing, a new valve stem and disposal of the old tire, averaged about $24 per tire in a Consumer Reports member survey. Some stores include it, so ask before you compare prices.
How do I know if I need new tires?
Check the tread depth with the penny test, look for cracks, bulges or cords showing, and check the tire's age on the sidewall date code. NHTSA's tire safety page covers what to look for.
Should I buy used tires?
A good used tire can get you home or match the other three for a while. Check its age and tread before you pay, and avoid any tire with patches near the sidewall or uneven wear.
More tire guides: tire cupping; nitrogen in tires.
The bottom line
A new tire costs about $167 at the median before installation, and a set of four installed usually runs $400 to $1,200 (market figures). Before you buy, check whether the old tire can be repaired, and whether you need four tires or just one or two.
Flat tire in Columbus?
We are on call 6 AM to 8 PM daily, and arrive in about 32 minutes on average, depending on traffic, weather and location. Wafa or Saif confirms your price before anyone heads your way. See mobile tire service in Columbus.
May your next set of tires wear out slowly and never on a Monday.