Cessna 172N vs Cessna 182
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172N
- For sale now
- 56
- Median asking
- $138,516
- Range
- $67,306–$189,950
- Model years available
- 1976–1980
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- 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 172N — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 182 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 224 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 88 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 50 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 167 |
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 172N | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1178 | 2779 |
| Serious | 90 | 249 |
| Fatal | 197 | 529 |
| Fatalities | 403 | 1000 |
| % Fatal | 17% | 19% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172N | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $67,306 – $189,950 | $104,725 – $564,768 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 160 HP | 230–235 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 122 kts (226 km/h) | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) |
| Range | 640 nm (1,185 km) | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,300 lbs (1,043 kg) | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 43.0 gal (163 L) | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.5 GPH (32 L/h) | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $160 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172N
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Cessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172N or Cessna 182?
Pick the 172N if…
- Budget matters — from $67,306 vs $104,725, you save ~$37,419.
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $160/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1976 vs 1956.
Pick the 182 if…
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 122 kts.
- More inventory — 107 listings vs 65.
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 172N or Cessna 182?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172N cruises at 122 kts with 640 nm range.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172N: from $64,500.
Cessna 182: from $104,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172N and Cessna 182?
172N engine: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD (160 hp).
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
Cruise: 122 vs 140 kts.
Range: 640 vs 640 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172N: about $130/hr variable cost.
182: about $160/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?
172N: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load.
182: 4 seats / 1,110 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?
172N: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
182: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
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