The cost of an aircraft greatly depends on what type of aircraft you are looking for. Once you understand your needs and your goals you will have to decide what is most suited.
The most common associated aircraft types are:
Light-Sport Aircraft –
Light sport aircraft are a cheap category of aircraft that you can purchase used on the low end for around $15,000 – $25,000. The cheapest Cessna aircraft is a Cessna Skycatcher (according to business insider) which is classified as a light-sport aircraft. These do not require a regular pilot’s license to fly which opens the barrier to entry. However, light sport aircraft come with reduced functionality in terms of weight and allowed flying conditions.
Single Engine –
Single engine aircraft are the most popular choice for people purchasing their first aircraft. These are surprisingly affordable; you can usually get a Single Engine Aircraft for around $20,000 to $50,000 which is not much different than owning a car.
Multi-Engine –
Multiengine planes are an interesting category that appeals to people looking for redundancy and speed. However, these are some of the most expensive options to get into when purchasing an aircraft. Multi-engine aircraft can range from $70,000 to $200,000 depending on the type and age. In addition, with two engines, maintenance costs can double, we will discuss this further below.
Jet –
Jet Aircraft are the most expensive of the bunch. A Jet Aircraft will set you back anywhere from $700,000 – $4 Million upfront. Jet engines are also different from pistons that usually dominate the other categories. Maintenance rules are more strict and variable expenses increase dramatically.
These 4 vary drastically in price range and have a far range of different use cases.