How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Car?

Expect to pay about $300–$1,400 for a mild 1–2 inch lift on most cars and crossovers, $300–$900 for a basic truck/SUV leveling kit, $700–$1,800 for a body lift, $1,800–$8,500 for a full suspension lift, and $3,000–$8,500 for air suspension. Temporary lifting for maintenance (using a jack/stands) costs $0–$150 if done yourself, or a similar amount for roadside/service fees. Total price depends on vehicle type, lift method, labor rates, and follow-on costs like alignment, tires, and gearing.

What “Raise a Car” Can Mean

Raising a car can refer to two very different things: temporarily lifting the vehicle off the ground to work on it, or permanently increasing ride height and ground clearance. Temporary lifting uses a floor jack, jack stands, or ramps and is relatively inexpensive. Permanent lift solutions—ranging from simple spring spacers to full suspension or body lifts—alter how the vehicle sits and handles and vary widely in cost, complexity, and legal implications.

Typical Options and Price Ranges in 2025

Below are the most common ways to increase ride height, with typical parts and labor costs in the U.S. as of 2025. Actual pricing varies by vehicle, brand, and shop labor rates in your region.

• Spring spacers / coil spring lift (cars, crossovers, some SUVs): Parts $50–$300; labor $200–$600; total $250–$900 for roughly 0.5–2 inches.
• Leveling kit (trucks/SUVs, raises front to match rear): Parts $150–$500; labor $150–$400; total $300–$900 for about 1–2.5 inches at the front.
• Body lift (trucks/SUVs, lifts body off frame): Parts $300–$800; labor $400–$1,000; total $700–$1,800 for 1–3 inches without changing suspension geometry.
• Coilovers or taller springs (cars/crossovers with adjustable ride height): Parts $800–$2,500; labor $400–$1,000; total $1,200–$3,500 for roughly 0.5–2 inches.
• Full suspension lift (2–6+ inches, trucks/SUVs): Parts $1,000–$6,000; labor $800–$2,500; total $1,800–$8,500, often including control arms, drop brackets, and other components.
• Long-travel/HD off-road systems: Parts $5,000–$15,000; labor $2,000–$5,000; total $7,000–$20,000 for high-performance off-road use.
• Air suspension conversion (height-adjustable): Parts $2,000–$6,000; labor $1,000–$2,500; total $3,000–$8,500 depending on management systems and tank/compressor setup.

These options scale in both capability and cost. Spacer and leveling kits are the most budget-friendly; full suspension and air systems add performance and adjustability but come with higher parts and labor bills.

Ancillary Costs You Should Budget

Lifting a vehicle often triggers a cascade of follow-on expenses. Planning for these items helps avoid surprise overruns and ensures the vehicle drives safely and correctly after the modification.

• Wheel alignment: $100–$200 after any suspension change (essential).
• Bigger tires and wheels: $600–$2,000+ depending on size/brand; may be needed to realize ground-clearance gains.
• Differential regearing (for larger tires on trucks/4x4s): $1,200–$2,500 for both axles to restore performance/MPG.
• Supporting parts (varies by lift height): $200–$1,500 each for upper control arms, track bar/panhard correction, driveshafts, drop brackets, or steering components.
• Brake line and ABS wire extensions: $100–$400 when travel is increased.
• Headlight aim and ADAS calibration: $20–$50 for headlight aim; $150–$500 for advanced driver-assistance recalibration on newer vehicles.
• Body/inner fender trimming and mount clearancing: $0–$300 to prevent rubbing with larger tires.
• Shipping, taxes, shop and environmental fees: commonly 5–15% of the bill.
• Insurance and registration impacts: $0–$300/year depending on the insurer and jurisdiction; always disclose modifications.

These extras can turn a modest lift into a larger project. Building a complete budget—including alignment and any tire or gearing changes—results in better ride, safety, and reliability.

Labor Time and Typical Shop Rates

U.S. shop rates in 2025 commonly range from $100 to $200 per hour. A simple leveling kit can take 2–3 hours; spacer kits 3–5 hours; body lifts 6–8 hours; standard suspension lift kits 6–12 hours; and long-travel systems 12–20+ hours depending on fabrication and tuning. Urban areas and specialty 4×4 shops tend to be on the higher end of the rate spectrum.

Pros, Cons, and Legal/Safety Considerations

Beyond cost, raising a vehicle affects handling, efficiency, and compliance. The points below summarize what to weigh before you proceed.

• Pros: Improved ground clearance and approach/departure angles, space for larger tires, better off-road capability, and a more commanding stance.
• Cons: Higher center of gravity, potential changes in braking and steering feel, reduced fuel economy and acceleration with larger tires, more wind noise, and possible warranty complications.
• Legal: Many states/provinces regulate headlight and bumper heights, track width, and overall lift. Annual inspections may flag non-compliant mods. Check local rules before buying parts.

A safe, compliant lift matched to your driving needs delivers the benefits you want without compromising road manners or running afoul of regulations.

How to Choose and Save Money

Picking the right approach starts with your goals and ends with execution by a competent shop. These steps can keep costs in check while preserving safety and performance.

1. Define your use-case (looks, mild trails, serious off-road) and target tire size.
2. Read platform-specific guides/forums to see what works without rubbing or driveline issues.
3. Get 2–3 quotes from reputable, ASE-certified or 4×4 specialty shops; ask about parts quality and what’s included (alignment, hardware, calibration).
4. Bundle services: installing the lift, alignment, and mounting/balancing tires the same day often saves labor and time.
5. Consider quality used “take-off” wheels/tires to reduce upfront cost.
6. Avoid stacking lifts (e.g., spacers on top of suspension kits), which can harm geometry and reliability.
7. Plan for regearing if jumping to 35-inch tires or larger on half-ton trucks to maintain drivability.

A clear plan and competitive quotes usually yield the best value. Prioritize parts that correct geometry and maintain safe handling.

Examples by Vehicle Type (Ballpark 2025)

Ballpark figures below reflect common builds and typical U.S. pricing; your model, options, and region will affect the totals.

• Compact car (Civic, Corolla): 0.5–1.5 inch via spacers/taller springs: $300–$1,200 total; add $600–$1,200 for all-terrain tires if upsizing.
• Crossover (RAV4, Forester): 1–2 inch spacer lift: $500–$1,200; with A/T tires add $800–$1,400.
• Half-ton truck (F-150, Silverado, Ram 1500): 2–3 inch leveling kit: $300–$900; 4–6 inch suspension lift: $2,500–$7,500; 2–3 inch body lift: $700–$1,800; 35-inch tires plus regearing add $2,000–$4,000.
• Jeep Wrangler/4Runner/Bronco: 2–3 inch suspension lift: $1,500–$4,500; premium coilover/long-arm setups: $5,000–$12,000 before tires/gearing.

These scenarios show how quickly costs scale with lift height and tire size. The more you change geometry, the more supporting parts and labor you’ll need.

Temporary Raising for Maintenance

If you only need to lift the car to change a tire or work underneath, the costs are modest and the process is very different from a ride-height lift.

Essential gear and service costs typically look like this:

• Hydraulic floor jack: $50–$200; jack stands: $40–$100; ramps: $50–$150.
• DIY cost per use: $0 once you own the tools; always lift at factory jack points and use stands.
• Roadside assistance/tire change: $75–$150 if you don’t have coverage.
• Shop lift bay rental or quick service: $50–$150 depending on time and location.

For safety, never rely on a jack alone when working under a vehicle; use stands on level ground and chock the wheels.

Bottom Line

Raising a car can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars for simple spacers or a leveling kit to several thousand for full suspension or air systems—plus alignment, tires, and potential gearing changes. Define your goals, verify local laws, and get multiple quotes from qualified shops to match the lift to your needs and budget.

Summary

Budget roughly $300–$1,400 for mild lift solutions, $700–$1,800 for body lifts, and $1,800–$8,500+ for full suspension or air setups, with additional costs for alignment, tires, and supporting components. Labor time and regional rates are key price drivers. Choose parts that preserve geometry and safety, confirm legal compliance, and plan the entire package—lift, tires, and any calibrations—before you buy.