Cessna 150K vs Cessna 172
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 150K
- For sale now
- 6
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 2
- Model years available
- 1969–1970
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 112
- Source marketplaces
- 19
- Model years available
- 1956–2028
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 150K — 1 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
Cessna 172 — 5 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | Continental O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 107 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | Lycoming O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 89 |
| 172R | 1996–2007 | IO-360-L2A | 2450 | 120 | 520 | 19 |
| 172S | 1998–now | IO-360-L2A | 2550 | 124 | 518 | 40 |
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 150K | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 111 | 6810 |
| Serious | 8 | 542 |
| Fatal | 13 | 960 |
| Fatalities | 19 | 1802 |
| % Fatal | 12% | 14% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 150K | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $52,450 – $64,250 | $61,563 – $324,965 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 100 HP | 145–180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 97 kts (180 km/h) | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) |
| Range | 420 nm (778 km) | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,600 lbs (726 kg) | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) |
| Useful Load | 530 lbs (240 kg) | 878 lbs (398 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 56.0 gal (212 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 5.5 GPH (21 L/h) | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | 1,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $75 | $130 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 150K
Fuel$30/hr
Variable$75/hr
Annual Fixed$9,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$24,000/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 150K or Cessna 172?
Pick the 150K if…
- Budget matters — from $52,450 vs $61,563, you save ~$9,113.
- Lower operating cost — ~$75/hr vs $130/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1970 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 — 428 listings vs 5.
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 150K or Cessna 172?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 150K 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 150K: from $59,999.
Cessna 172: from $72,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 150K and Cessna 172?
150K engine: Continental O-200 (100 hp).
172 engine: Continental (180 hp).
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 97 vs 118 kts.
Range: 420 vs 518 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
150K: about $75/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?
150K: 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?
150K: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$15,000.
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