Piper Meridian vs Cessna 210
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Piper Meridian
- For sale now
- 103
- Median asking
- $1,284,291
- Range
- $830,903–$2,305,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 29
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1985–2026
Cessna 210
- For sale now
- 177
- Median asking
- $249,750
- Range
- $90,200–$695,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 56
- Source marketplaces
- 17
- Model years available
- 1960–2021
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.
Piper Meridian — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 210 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 IO-470 (260hp) | 1960–1963 | Continental IO-470-E | 2900 | 160 | 700 | 24 |
| 210 IO-520 (NA) | 1964–1986 | Continental IO-520-A/L | 3800 | 171 | 900 | 43 |
| T210 Turbo | 1966–1986 | Continental TSIO-520-R | 3800 | 193 | 950 | 57 |
| P210 Pressurized | 1978–1986 | Continental TSIO-520-P | 4000 | 200 | 1000 | 53 |
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 Meridian | Cessna 210 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 819 |
| Serious | — | 64 |
| Fatal | — | 192 |
| Fatalities | — | 413 |
| % Fatal | — | 23% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Piper Meridian | Cessna 210 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $830,903 – $2,305,000 | $90,200 – $695,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Turboprop | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower | — | 260–325 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 241 kts (446 km/h) | 160–200 kts (370 km/h) |
| Range | 1,000 nm (1,852 km) | 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) | 17,300 ft (5,273 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 5,092 lbs (2,310 kg) | 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,362 lbs (618 kg) | 1,310 lbs (594 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 170.0 gal (643 L) | 90.0 gal (341 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) | 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) |
| TBO | 3,500 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $300,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $100,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $650 | $175 |
| Engines | 1 x Turboprop | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Meridian
Fuel$192/hr
Variable$650/hr
Annual Fixed$100,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$230,000/yr
Cessna 210
Fuel$80/hr
Variable$175/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$57,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Meridian or Cessna 210?
Pick the Meridian if…
- Faster cruise — 241 kts vs 160 kts.
- Longer range — 1000 nm vs 700 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2000 vs 1960.
Pick the 210 if…
- Budget matters — from $90,200 vs $830,903, you save ~$740,703.
- Lower operating cost — ~$175/hr vs $650/hr.
- More inventory — 176 listings vs 97.
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 Meridian or Cessna 210?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Meridian cruises at 241 kts with 1,000 nm range.
The 210 cruises at 160 kts with 700 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Meridian: from $1,150,000.
Cessna 210: from $254,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Meridian and Cessna 210?
210 engine: Continental (260 hp).
Cruise: 241 vs 160 kts.
Range: 1000 vs 700 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Meridian: about $650/hr variable cost.
210: about $175/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?
Meridian: 6 seats / 1,362 lb useful load.
210: 6 seats / 1,310 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?
Meridian: 3,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$300,000.
210: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
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