Cessna 150L vs Piper Cherokee
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 150L
- For sale now
- 24
- Median asking
- $52,000
- Range
- $32,720–$94,086
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 4
- Source marketplaces
- 7
- Model years available
- 1970–1974
Piper Cherokee
- For sale now
- 602
- Median asking
- $116,400
- Range
- $59,948–$277,250
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 164
- Source marketplaces
- 23
- Model years available
- 1961–2026
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 150L — 1 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
Piper Cherokee — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
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 150L | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 464 | 1 |
| Serious | 56 | 0 |
| Fatal | 81 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 123 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 17% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 150L | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $32,720 – $94,086 | $59,948 – $277,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 100 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 97 kts (180 km/h) | 117 kts (217 km/h) |
| Range | 420 nm (778 km) | 525 nm (972 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 14,300 ft (4,359 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,600 lbs (726 kg) | 2,150 lbs (975 kg) |
| Useful Load | 530 lbs (240 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $25,000 | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $15,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $100 | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 150L
Fuel$33/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$35,000/yr
Piper Cherokee
Fuel$44/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 150L or Piper Cherokee?
Pick the 150L if…
- Budget matters — from $32,720 vs $59,948, you save ~$27,228.
- Lower operating cost — ~$100/hr vs $120/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1970 vs 1961.
Pick the Cherokee if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 117 kts vs 97 kts.
- Longer range — 525 nm vs 420 nm.
- More inventory — 630 listings vs 25.
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 150L or Piper Cherokee?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 150L cruises at 97 kts with 420 nm range.
The Cherokee cruises at 117 kts with 525 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Cherokee: from $58,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 150L and Piper Cherokee?
150L engine: Continental O-200 (100 hp).
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 97 vs 117 kts.
Range: 420 vs 525 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
150L: about $100/hr variable cost.
Cherokee: about $120/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?
150L: 2 seats / 530 lb useful load.
Cherokee: 4 seats / 850 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?
150L: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$25,000.
Cherokee: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$28,000.
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