Commute vs Rent Calculator (cheaper home farther away vs closer home)

How it works

Commuting hours per month = one-way minutes × 2 × commuting days ÷ 60. Each home’s monthly cost = rent + commute cost + commuting hours × the value of your time. “Money saved per extra commuting hour” = (rent saved − extra commute cost) ÷ extra hours: in effect, the hourly wage the farther home pays you for the extra travel. If it is below what your free time is worth to you, the closer home is the better deal.

⚠ Estimates for information only — not financial advice.

FAQ

What value should I put on my time?

A common choice is your take-home pay per hour. Use a lower figure if you can rest, read or work on the train, and a higher one if driving or crowded trips leave you tired.

What else should I compare?

Deposits and moving costs, the price of the same kind of home in each area, schools, safety, and how a long commute fits with family life and health.

Checked 11 Nov 2026. Cost comparison including the time cost of commuting (hours × an hourly value you choose).