Piper Dakota vs Cirrus SR22
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Piper Dakota
- For sale now
- 20
- Median asking
- $185,000
- Range
- $138,500–$301,040
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 5
- Source marketplaces
- 7
- Model years available
- 1978–1994
Cirrus SR22
- For sale now
- 255
- Median asking
- $369,473
- Range
- $233,400–$867,970
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 149
- Source marketplaces
- 16
- Model years available
- 2001–2025
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
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) | Piper Dakota | Cirrus SR22 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 124 |
| Serious | — | 8 |
| Fatal | — | 38 |
| Fatalities | — | 74 |
| % Fatal | — | 31% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Piper Dakota | Cirrus SR22 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $138,500 – $301,040 | $233,400 – $867,970 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | — | 5 |
| Horsepower | — | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 143 kts (265 km/h) | 183 kts (339 km/h) |
| Range | 650 nm (1,204 km) | 1,049 nm (1,943 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 17,500 ft (5,334 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,000 lbs (1,361 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Useful Load | — | 1,183 lbs (537 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 13.5 GPH (51 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $36,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $180 |
| Engines | — | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Dakota
Cirrus SR22
Fuel$74/hr
Variable$180/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$61,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Dakota or Cirrus SR22?
Pick the Dakota if…
- Budget matters — from $138,500 vs $233,400, you save ~$94,900.
Pick the SR22 if…
- Faster cruise — 183 kts vs 143 kts.
- Longer range — 1049 nm vs 650 nm.
- More inventory — 251 listings vs 21.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Piper Dakota or Cirrus SR22?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Dakota cruises at 143 kts with 650 nm range.
The SR22 cruises at 183 kts with 1,049 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Dakota: from $149,000.
Cirrus SR22: from $649,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Dakota and Cirrus SR22?
SR22 engine: Continental IO-550-N (310 hp).
Cruise: 143 vs 183 kts.
Range: 650 vs 1049 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
SR22: about $180/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?
SR22: 5 seats / 1,183 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?
SR22: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$36,000.
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