Commute Cost Calculator
PROCalculate the true cost of a longer commute including vehicle expenses, time value, depreciation, and quality-of-life factors to make smarter rent vs. distance decisions.
Example Usage
I’m considering moving from my current apartment ($1,400/month, 15-minute commute) to a cheaper place ($1,100/month, 45-minute commute). I make $65,000/year and drive a 2019 Honda Civic. The new place is 25 miles from work vs. my current 8 miles. Help me figure out if the $300 savings is actually worth it when I factor in all the hidden commute costs.
How to Use This Skill
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Suggested Customization
| Description | Default | Your Value |
|---|---|---|
| My gross hourly wage for time value calculations | 30 | |
| Current one-way commute time in minutes | 15 | |
| Proposed one-way commute time in minutes | 45 | |
| Current monthly rent amount | 1400 | |
| Proposed monthly rent amount | 1100 | |
| Total daily round-trip commute distance in miles | 40 |
How It Works
The Commute Cost Calculator helps you make informed housing decisions by revealing the hidden costs of commuting that most people overlook. A “cheaper” apartment far from work often becomes the expensive choice once you factor in vehicle depreciation, time value, insurance, and health impacts.
What This Skill Analyzes
- Direct Vehicle Costs - Using IRS standard mileage rates that account for fuel, depreciation, maintenance, insurance, and financing
- Time Value - Multiple methods to calculate what your commute time is actually worth
- Hidden Expenses - Parking, tolls, insurance differentials, and opportunity costs
- Quality of Life - Research-backed thresholds for when commutes become harmful
- Break-Even Analysis - The exact point where rent savings disappear
The Math Most People Miss
The IRS calculates true vehicle operating costs at $0.67/mile (2024-2025). This means a 60-mile daily round-trip costs $40/day or $10,000+ annually—not the $15-20 most people estimate when only counting gas.
Add time value (your commute hours × your hourly wage) and the “cheap apartment” often costs more than the “expensive” one.
Research Sources
This skill was built using research from these authoritative sources:
- IRS Standard Mileage Rates 2024-2025 Official per-mile vehicle operating cost breakdown updated annually
- The Marchetti Constant - Commute Time Research Research on optimal commute duration and quality of life thresholds
- Commuting and Depression Study Research showing 1.16x higher depression rates for 60+ minute commutes
- AAA Your Driving Costs Comprehensive vehicle ownership cost data by vehicle type
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Time Use Survey Data on how Americans spend time including commuting patterns