In March 2026, ford f-150 buyers are facing a market where new-truck prices keep climbing and resale value matters more than ever. The latest comparison between the ford f-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 shows that the answer depends heavily on how much a buyer pays up front. Two data sets paint different pictures, but both point to one clear reality: assumptions make the difference.
Depreciation numbers split the two trucks
One study places the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at the bottom of the pickup field, with a projected five-year depreciation of 39. 7%, while the ford f-150 is expected to lose 37. 9% over the same period. That makes the ford f-150 the slightly stronger performer in that comparison, at least on paper. But another estimate flips the practical takeaway for many buyers.
Using an annual mileage assumption of 13, 500 miles, another set of figures puts the Silverado at 43% depreciation after five years and the ford f-150 at 50%. In that case, the Silverado holds more value. The contrast is not a contradiction so much as a reminder that resale math changes with the truck price being modeled.
Why the assumptions matter so much
The gap comes down to what each calculation assumes buyers actually pay. One estimate uses roughly $40, 000 for both trucks, which reflects a base-spec purchase. The other assumes average transaction prices of about $62, 000 for the ford f-150 and about $58, 000 for the Silverado 1500.
That difference matters because high-spec trucks can lose more dollar value even when percentage depreciation looks manageable. With the average new truck price in March 2026 at $65, 964, buyers are increasingly shopping in that higher-price range, and the comparison shifts accordingly. In that context, the Silverado can emerge as the better value-retention play for many shoppers.
What owners and shoppers should watch next
Officials and analysts tied to the figures stress that long-term value is never fixed. The estimates reflect older model-year depreciation patterns, and a vehicle’s condition at trade-in remains a major factor. Clean interiors, clean exteriors, and repaired minor damage can all help protect resale value.
For buyers comparing the ford f-150 with the Silverado 1500, the practical answer is simple: a base-model truck may favor the ford f-150, while a higher-spec purchase may tilt toward the Silverado. The final call will depend on sticker price, ownership plans, and how closely a buyer matches the assumptions behind each estimate. For now, the ford f-150 remains firmly in the value conversation, but not in the same way for every buyer.
