Cessna 170B vs Cessna 172
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
Cessna 170B
- For sale now
- 13
- Median asking
- $114,500
- Range
- $87,940–$259,620
- Model years available
- 1952–1955
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 531
- Median asking
- $129,950
- Range
- $56,439–$324,900
- Model years available
- 1951–2026
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 170B — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 172 — 3 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 144 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 124 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 102 |
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 170B | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 405 | 6810 |
| Serious | 26 | 542 |
| Fatal | 29 | 960 |
| Fatalities | 47 | 1802 |
| % Fatal | 7% | 14% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 170B | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $87,940 – $259,620 | $56,439 – $324,900 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145 HP | 145–160 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 105 kts (194 km/h) | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) |
| Range | 500 nm (926 km) | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 15,000 ft (4,572 m) | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,200 lbs (998 kg) | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) |
| Useful Load | 900 lbs (408 kg) | 878 lbs (398 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 37.0 gal (140 L) | 56.0 gal (212 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | 1,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $14,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $100 | $130 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 170B
Fuel$44/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$14,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$34,000/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 170B or Cessna 172?
Pick the 170B if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$100/hr vs $130/hr.
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $56,439 vs $87,940, you save ~$31,501.
- Faster cruise — 118 kts vs 105 kts.
- Longer range — 518 nm vs 500 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1956 vs 1952.
- More inventory — 170 listings vs 13.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 170B or Cessna 172?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 170B cruises at 105 kts with 500 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 170B: from $85,000.
Cessna 172: from $99,500.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 170B and Cessna 172?
170B engine: CONTINENTAL C145-3 (145 hp).
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
Cruise: 105 vs 118 kts.
Range: 500 vs 518 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
170B: 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?
170B: 4 seats / 900 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?
170B: 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 re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data