National study reveals consumers without vehicle access estimate a ~$21,000 increase in annual earning potential, alongside a 70% demand for guidance during the car-buying experience

Physical mobility has long been associated with economic opportunity. New national survey data from Capital One Auto released today offers fresh insights into consumer perceptions of that connection—including a self-reported average of ~$21,000 in additional annual earning potential among adults lacking consistent vehicle access, alongside a 70% consumer demand for more guidance to help navigate today's auto market.

Designed to examine how physical mobility directly shapes upward mobility, the Capital One 2026 Mobility Access Study evaluated 2,831 U.S. adults across three vehicle access tiers—Car-Secure, Car-Limited, and Car-Hopeful—to analyze the lived connections between vehicle access, career resilience, health equity and daily household stability.

“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,” said Sanjiv Yajnik, President of Financial Services at Capital One. “When people lack reliable transportation, geographic boundaries can quickly become economic boundaries. Providing transparent, plain-language guidance is designed to help empower consumers with clarity as they evaluate major household financial decisions long before stepping onto a lot.”

Key survey findings of the Capital One 2026 Mobility Access Study include:

• Financial Stability & Earnings Potential: Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful respondents are twice as likely as Car-Secure peers to describe their current financial situation as unstable (58% vs. 28%). They estimate that securing consistent vehicle access would support a self-reported average of ~$21,000 in additional annual income through expanded job search access and shift flexibility.
• Career Progression & Workplace Resilience: Consistent vehicle access correlates with higher rates of self-reported career advancement, with Car-Secure working adults reporting pay raises at twice the rate and promotions at 1.5 times the rate of Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful peers over the past 12 months. Additionally, transit unreliability aligns with workplace disruption, as Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful respondents are 5x more likely to report being unable to get to work compared to those who are Car-Secure.
• Healthcare Access & Provider Choice: Over 1 in 3 Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful respondents (37%) report having missed or delayed critical healthcare appointments for themselves or a family member, citing transit barriers. Beyond attendance, consistent access correlates with broader care options: 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.
• Family Well-Being & Household Stress: Approximately 1 in 4 Car-Limited and Car-Hopeful parents (26%) report that coordinating daily transportation for their children is a significant, recurring source of emotional stress. Conversely, 38% of Car-Hopeful parents state that obtaining a car would enable their children to participate in extracurricular activities or sports.
• Demand for Process Predictability: 58% of Car-Hopeful respondents indicate they are not confident in vehicle affordability in today's market, with 24% noting they would not know where to start the buying process. To build purchasing readiness, Car-Hopeful prospective buyers prioritize upfront financing pre-qualification (33%), pre-dealership question checklists (35%), step-by-step guides (25%), pricing clarity strategies (24%), and plain-language financing breakdowns (24%).

“While educational resources can’t change market prices or interest rates, helping prospective buyers prepare before they visit a dealership builds confidence for everyone,” Yajnik said. “When consumers enter the showroom with a clearer picture of their own household budget, it supports a far better experience for both the buyer and the dealer—laying a strong foundation for lasting trust right from day one.”

To help consumers navigate the car buying experience, Capital One offers the Car Buying Roadmap—a free educational resource designed to bring added transparency to the car buying experience. The interactive tool provides budgeting exercises to help prospective buyers estimate and plan for potential ongoing ownership considerations—such as fuel, insurance, and routine maintenance—as they evaluate their personal household finances.

For more information and to download the full report, visit https://www.capitalone.com/about/insights-center/mobility-matters-vehicle-access-and-upward-mobility/.

Survey methodology

The Capital One Mobility Access Survey was conducted online by HawkPartners, an independent 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 decisions.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A., had market-leading positions in major consumer and commercial banking businesses. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, and commercial clients through digital channels and branch locations.

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