You’re wrong about the winter tires, they’re really only good for two winter seasons because the treads are so soft. Blizzak claims a lifespan of 12,000 winter miles and they are regarded as a premium winter tire. 4 Blizzaks on a lot of vehicles can cost about $600-800 including having them mounted and balanced.…

I live in Chicago and we don’t even get close to enough snow/ice throughout the winter to need snow tires. Also the further north you go the better equipped the road crews are at keeping the roadways clean. If I lived in the mountains I would consider snow tires.