If you are planning to buy new wheels or rims and want to have a good estimate in your mind on how much to spend, or just simply trying to decide what size wheels would fit nicely in your budget, this article is for you. Knowing beforehand on what to expect financially before making a purchase decision, can lead to a greater long term satisfaction and, not to mention, keep you from getting scammed. This article might also help enthusiasts to have an idea on how much to save up to upgrade to their next set of wheels or tires. Here we provide you with a careful estimate on how much money you’ll need to cough up for those wheels or tires you’ve been looking to buy. Please do keep in mind that these prices are meticulously calculated ranges for most of the tires and wheels in that specific category and yet slight variations may occur when you are out in the market. Nevertheless, these will give you a conclusive answer to your questions instead of beating around the bush. Similarly, if you decide to go with a really cheap option or an ultra expensive one, you can easily forget about these ranges. Buckle up and enjoy!
How much do different sized tires cost?
Note: We’ve sorted out the tire sizes according to the rim size i.e the rim diameter.
14 inch:
Average quality tires for 14 inch rims can cost you a very affordable 45-60$ per tire which equates to about 200$ a set. If you decide to go with a better trusted brand with a name in the industry, you’ll have to spend about 75-90$ per tire.
15 inch:
Acceptable quality tires from less reputable brands can cost you around 60-80$ a tire, which means around 300$ for a set of 4. Renowned brand tires can set you back 80-100$ a tire. But if you’re looking for some all-terrain or mud-terrain options for a 4-wheeler or a light truck/SUV, expect to pay 200-250$ a pop for a decently equipped tire.
16 inch:
Decent 16 inch tires from some lesser known brands can cost around 90-125$ per tire or about 400$ for a set of 4. If you opt for reputable brands, the price climbs up to 125-200$ per tire. All-terrain and mud-terrain (off-road capable) options in this size also stand at around 225-250$ per tire.
17 inch:
If you’re willing to go after some lesser known brands, a single 17 inch tire should cost you around 100-150$ or around 500$ for a set. But if you absolutely have to go with the premium brands, expect to pay 175-200$ for a tire, which by the way is totally reasonable. Heavy duty options for pick-ups/ SUV can set you back 300-450$ a pop.
18 inch:
Less reputable brands will charge you 100-150$ for a tire in this size category too. However, opting for renowned brands, expect to pay 200-250$ for a tire or about 800$ for a set of 4 for normal road cars which are not so common in this size. Some great 10 ply, heavy duty tires for 4-wheelers cost around 350-500$.
19 inch:
Meagre quality tires in this size typically cost 100-150$ but the compromises in quality are significant. Your best bet would be to go for the reputable brands which can set you back 200-250$ a tire or about 900$ for a set for regular road-going cars. Also, you’ll struggle to find any good and well-priced all terrain or mud-terrain tires in this size category. You do have the option to go for 18 or 20 inch wheels, if you want to have sustainable replacement options.
20 inch:
Below average options start to fade out in this big-boy category. Respectable brands offer options in the 200-250$ range for the limited road-going vehicles in this size category. Off-road capable AT/MT tires typically cost 350-400$. You also have the additional option to go for supremely capable and ultra-durable rugged terrain tires which go for 500-600$ for a single tire.
22 inch:
Only a few options exist, really for vehicles other than off-roaders at this point. However some great tires are available from premium brands costing about 300-350$ each. Good quality, heavy duty tires in this size are about 400-450$ each. Some 10 ply or even 14 ply supremely off-road capable tires with a durable build are also available but they do come at a hefty price of 600-1000$ for a single tire.
How much do different sized rims cost?
Here is a breakdown of rim prices according to their sizes i.e diameters. Please do note that the prices also vary with the rim width.
We highly recommend choosing the rim size according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have to upgrade the size, we would not advise an increase of more than 1 inch from the manufacturer’s instructions for less than 1 liter engine sizes and not more than 2 inches increase for 1-2 liter engine displacements. If your car has an engine size above 2 liters, you may increase the rim size by upto 3 inches.
14 inch:
Price of steel rims with untextured and unpainted finish should be around 50-60$ each or about 200$ for a set of 4. Painted steel rims will cost around 70-80$ each while alloy rims will set you back 100-130$ for each rim.
15 inch:
Unpainted steel wheels cost about 55-70$ each which translates to about 250$ for a set. Painted steel wheels or textured ones can cost upto 80-100$. Alloy rims in this size cost about 110-150$ so a set of 4 for about 500 bucks.
16 inch:
Only some unpainted steel rims are available in this size costing 60-70$ each. Painted ones cost about 70-85$ a piece while alloy or aluminium wheels will be priced at 120-150$ each.
17 inch:
Only rare options made out of steel grace this size category. They’ll typically cost around 85-120$ each or about 400 bucks for all fours. Painted ones will typically be priced at 100-120$ which is actually not more than the unpainted ones while the alloy wheels will set you back 130-170$ each which we highly recommend for this size category.
18 inch:
18 inch steel rims will cost about 100-130$ each regardless of the finish whether painted, gloss, matte or any other. Alloy rims of 18 inch diameter will cost you a very reasonable 130-170$ for each rims which means you can get a complete set for about 600$.
19 inch:
Not many steel options exist really at this point and certainly not something we would recommend especially when some great alloy options are there in the market for 160-225$ or about 800$ a set.
20 inch:
Quality alloy rims from reputable brands are available in the market and go for around 200-280$ a piece. Expect to pay around a 1000$ for the set.
22 inch:
Let’s be real here, no one puts on 22 inch rims for purposes other than aesthetics. If that is on your mind we would recommend skipping the cheap options priced at 230-250$ each. Instead go for the branded and durable rims which are available, without paying much of a premium, at 280-320$ each or 1200$.
Cost of different sized tires:
| Local Brands | Premium Brands | Heavy duty AT/MT | Extra Heavy duty | |
| 14 inch | 45-60$ | 75-90$ | – | – |
| 15 inch | 60-80$ | 80-100$ | 200-250$ | – |
| 16 inch | 90-125$ | 125-200$ | 225-250$ | – |
| 17 inch | 100-150$ | 175-200$ | 300-450$ | – |
| 18 inch | 100-150$ | 200-250$ | 350-500$ | – |
| 19 inch | 100-150$ | 200-250$ | – | – |
| 20 inch | – | 200-250$ | 350-400$ | 500-600$ |
| 22 inch | – | 300-350$ | 400-450$ | 600-1000$ |
Cost of different sized rims:
| Steel (unpainted) | Steel (painted) | Alloy Rims | |
| 14 inch | 50-60$ | 70-8-$ | 100-130$ |
| 15 inch | 55-70$ | 80-100$ | 110-150$ |
| 16 nich | 60-70$ | 70-85$ | 120-150$ |
| 17 inch | 85-120$ | 100-120$ | 130-170$ |
| 18 inch | 100-130$ | 100-130$ | 130-170$ |
| 19 inch | – | – | 160-225$ |
| -20 inch | – | – | 200-280$ |
| 22 inch | – | – | 280-320$ |
