Piper Meridian vs Piper Cherokee
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
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.
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 | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 1 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 0 |
| Fatalities | — | 0 |
| % Fatal | — | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Piper Meridian | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $830,903 – $2,305,000 | $59,948 – $277,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Turboprop | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | — | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 241 kts (446 km/h) | 117 kts (217 km/h) |
| Range | 1,000 nm (1,852 km) | 525 nm (972 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) | 14,300 ft (4,359 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 5,092 lbs (2,310 kg) | 2,150 lbs (975 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,362 lbs (618 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 170.0 gal (643 L) | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) |
| TBO | 3,500 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $300,000 | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $100,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $650 | $120 |
| 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
Piper Cherokee
Fuel$44/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Meridian or Piper Cherokee?
Pick the Meridian if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 241 kts vs 117 kts.
- Longer range — 1000 nm vs 525 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2000 vs 1961.
Pick the Cherokee if…
- Budget matters — from $59,948 vs $830,903, you save ~$770,955.
- Lower operating cost — ~$120/hr vs $650/hr.
- More inventory — 630 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 Piper Cherokee?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Meridian cruises at 241 kts with 1,000 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 Meridian: from $1,150,000.
Piper Cherokee: from $58,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Meridian and Piper Cherokee?
Seats: 6 vs 4.
Cruise: 241 vs 117 kts.
Range: 1000 vs 525 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Meridian: about $650/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?
Meridian: 6 seats / 1,362 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?
Meridian: 3,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$300,000.
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