Cessna 150 vs Cessna 172

Three of the most common Cessnas form a natural ownership path: the Cessna 150, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk and the Cessna 182 Skylane. The 150 is the bargain two-seat trainer, the 172 the four-seat standard, and the 182 the more capable hauler — the cheapest way to start, the easiest to keep, and the one to grow into. What each is going for now is below.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna 150
For sale now
136
Median asking
$53,250
Range
$32,955–$91,808
Model years available
1959–1978
Cessna 172
For sale now
421
Median asking
$134,231
Range
$61,563–$324,965
Model years available
1956–2026

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Generations Breakdown

Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.

Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.

Cessna 150 — 1 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
172 O-320 150hp 1968–1976 O-320-E2D 2300 120 585 128

Cessna 172 — 3 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
172 Continental 1956–1967 O-300 2300 118 520 137
172 O-320 150hp 1968–1976 O-320-E2D 2300 120 585 128
172 O-320 160hp 1977–1986 O-320-H2AD/D2J 2400 122 585 103

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Cessna 150Cessna 172
All events32416810
Serious351542
Fatal427960
Fatalities6111802
% Fatal13%14%
View full Cessna 150 NTSB record →View full Cessna 172 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 150 Cessna 172
Cessna 150
View 51 listings →
Median $53,250
 Cessna 172
View 163 listings →
Median $134,231
Price Range $32,955 – $91,808 $61,563 – $324,965
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 2 4
Horsepower 100 HP 145–160 HP
Cruise Speed 97 kts (180 km/h) 118–122 kts (226 km/h)
Range 420 nm (778 km) 520–585 nm (1,083 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) 14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Max Gross Weight 1,600 lbs (726 kg) 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
Useful Load 530 lbs (240 kg) 878 lbs (398 kg)
Fuel Capacity 26.0 gal (98 L) 56.0 gal (212 L)
Fuel Burn 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) 8.6 GPH (33 L/h)
TBO 1,800 hrs 1,400 hrs
Overhaul Cost $25,000 $30,000
Annual Fixed $15,000 $18,000
Hourly Variable $100 $130
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 150

Fuel$33/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $35,000/yr

Cessna 172

Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $44,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 150 or Cessna 172?

Bottom line: Choose the 150 for the lowest-cost entry — a simple two-seater for learning and budget flying. Choose the 172 Skyhawk for the do-everything four-seater — the most-supported airplane in the world and the natural one to keep. Choose the 182 Skylane when four seats need to carry more — extra power and payload for full cabins and bags. On safety all three are exceptionally benign, proven designs; the 182 adds a constant-speed prop to manage — capability, not a safety gap. The 150 starts you off, the 172 does most of it, the 182 hauls the rest.

Pick the 150 if…

  • Budget matters — from $32,955 vs $61,563, you save ~$28,608.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$100/hr vs $130/hr.
  • Newer design — production from 1959 vs 1956.

Pick the 172 if…

  • More seats — 4 vs 2.
  • Faster cruise — 118 kts vs 97 kts.
  • Longer range — 518 nm vs 420 nm.
  • More inventory — 163 listings vs 51.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Cessna 150, 172 and 182?
The 150 is a two-seat trainer; the 172 Skyhawk a four-seat all-rounder; the 182 Skylane a more powerful four-seat hauler. Each step adds seats or payload and a little more cost.
Which is the cheapest to own?
The 150 — two seats and a small engine make it the most economical. The 172 is the cheapest practical four-seater; the 182 costs more for its capability.
Do many pilots move up through all three?
Often something like it — learn in a 150, buy a 172 as a first four-seater, and step up to a 182 when payload matters. All share the same forgiving handling.
Which is better, Cessna 150 or Cessna 172?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 150 cruises at 97 kts with 420 nm range. The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 150: from $89,000. Cessna 172: from $119,900. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 150 and Cessna 172?
150 engine: CONTINENTAL O-200 (100 hp). 172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp). Seats: 2 vs 4. Cruise: 97 vs 118 kts. Range: 420 vs 518 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
150: about $100/hr variable cost. 172: about $130/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
150: 2 seats / 530 lb useful load. 172: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
150: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$25,000. 172: 1,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data