This paper deals with the lifetime cost of various computer-based level crossing (CBL-xing) protection system. During the several decades of application CBL-xings protection systems have been following and unseeing the technological advances related to the electronic and computer based hardware. As a result, they use different hardware with various generation of processors and consequently, have various reliability characteristics. All CBL-xing systems have to have very high safety integrity level (SIL) in accordance with CENELEC standards. Usually SIL4 is required. Mostly they have two times two (fail-safe) architecture of the central control computer and a high degree of modularity to allow for the scalability and ability to equip all range of various applications. During the evolution of CBL-xing systems their control modules have experienced higher degree of integration and hence, contributed to minimise design, installation and testing time. Also, the technology advances are used for the realization of all CBL-xings modules, hence contributing to their increased reliability. The MTBF values of the modules of nowadays CBL-xing systems are significantly higher if compared with the MTBF values of some other systems that are realised in earlier time. Although all CBL-xings are mostly comparable from the safety point of view, they may significantly differ from the reliability point of view. The safety characteristics of a CBL-xing are usually required, considered and evaluated at the purchase time, but reliability requirements are often omitted. This approach can cause significant hidden costs during the long lifetime of a CBL-xing. The purpose of this paper is to show how much a CBL-xing system really cost during its lifetime and to demonstrate advantages of high reliable and low power consumption CBL-xings. Savings related to amount of spare parts, maintenance expenses and traffic delays, as well as electricity consumption costs during the 20 years of lifetime of a CBL-xing, are considered and highlighted.