That apartment across town is $200/month cheaper. But the commute eats 90 minutes of your life every day. Is it actually cheaper? Let's find out.
Your commute is unpaid work. Every minute sitting in traffic or on a bus is a minute you could be earning, resting, cooking, exercising, or spending with people you care about. This tool puts a dollar value on that time so you can see the real cost of living far from work.
What's within walking distance (10-15 min) of each place? These affect your daily quality of life and hidden costs. Check what applies.
No grocery store nearby = more DoorDash. Living far from a grocery store makes cooking harder and delivery more tempting. That's $200-$400/month in hidden costs that never appear on a lease.
No gym nearby = that membership you won't use. If the gym is 20 minutes away, you'll go less. If it's a 5-minute walk, you'll go more. Proximity drives habits.
No laundry in-unit = laundromat costs. $3-5 per load, 1-2 loads per week, plus the time to sit there. That's $150-$500/year and hours of your life. In-unit laundry is worth $50-$100/month in convenience and savings.
Car-dependent areas have hidden costs. Insurance is higher in some zip codes. Wear and tear adds up. And you can't walk to anything, so every errand is a drive. People in walkable areas spend $2,000-$5,000/year less on transportation on average.
Safety has a price. A cheaper apartment in an area where you don't feel safe means you'll Uber instead of walk, avoid going out after dark, and stress more. That's not a savings — it's a trade you'll regret.