⚡ 30-second calculator
Which Apartment Truly Costs Less?
Enter two rents and two commute distances. We'll add fuel, wear, and depreciation — and tell you the honest monthly winner.
Apartment A
Apartment B
Enter rent and distance for both apartments to see your result.
Where the Numbers Come From
Every figure has a visible source. Nothing is invented or arbitrary.
| Component | Per-km or formula | Source + year |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel cost | Your fuel price × your car's efficiency × monthly km | User-entered inputs (adjustable above) |
| Wear (maintenance + tires) | $0.10 / km ($0.16 / mi) | AAA 2023 Your Driving Costs — average maintenance and tire cost per km |
| Depreciation | $0.26 / km ($0.42 / mi) | IRS 2024 standard mileage rate ($0.67/mi) minus fuel and maintenance |
| Total per-km cost | Fuel rate + $0.10 + $0.26 | Sum of the three components above |
💡 Adjust fuel price and your car's efficiency above — wear and depreciation use these standard per-km averages so you don't have to guess.
Why the Cheaper Apartment Often Isn't
A labeled example using the same formulas. Your numbers will differ — use the calculator above.
Apartment A Rent $1,800 · 5 km
Apartment B Rent $1,500 · 25 km
Rent Fuel Wear Depreciation
Apartment B looks $300 cheaper on rent — but costs $18 MORE per month once you drive. At a longer lease, the gap grows.
📌 Over a 12-month lease, the cheaper-looking apartment here costs $216 more.