Cessna 172 vs Piper Archer
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
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
Piper Archer
- For sale now
- 89
- Median asking
- $149,000
- Range
- $71,000–$491,439
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 26
- Source marketplaces
- 13
- Model years available
- 1965–2026
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 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 |
Piper Archer — 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 172 | Piper Archer |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | — |
| Serious | 542 | — |
| Fatal | 960 | — |
| Fatalities | 1802 | — |
| % Fatal | 14% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Archer |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $71,000 – $491,439 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | — |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 124 kts (230 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 703 nm (1,302 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | — |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | — |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | — |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Piper Archer
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Piper Archer?
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $71,000, you save ~$9,437.
- More inventory — 428 listings vs 90.
Pick the Archer if…
- Faster cruise — 124 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 703 nm vs 518 nm.
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 172 or Piper Archer?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The Archer cruises at 124 kts with 703 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $72,000.
Piper Archer: from $110,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Piper Archer?
172 engine: Continental (180 hp).
Cruise: 118 vs 124 kts.
Range: 518 vs 703 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
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?
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?
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