How DwellOrDrive calculates the tradeoff.

The calculator is intentionally simple, editable, and local to your browser. It does not claim to predict traffic, rent, fares, or vehicle costs.

Monthly commute frequency

days per week × 52 ÷ 12

Monthly driving distance

one-way miles × 2 × monthly commute days

Monthly driving expense

monthly miles × (fuel price ÷ MPG + wear cost per mile) + monthly commute days × (daily tolls + daily parking)

Monthly transit expense

monthly commute days × (round-trip fare + daily parking)

Monthly commute time

one-way minutes × 2 × monthly commute days ÷ 60

Time value

monthly commute hours × your selected hourly value

True monthly cost

housing + direct commute expense + commute time value

Effective hourly pay

(annual salary − annual direct commute expense) ÷ (2,080 work hours + annual commute hours)

Break-even housing premium

absolute difference in (direct commute expense + commute time value)

This is the approximate amount the lower-commute option can cost more each month before its commute advantage is fully offset under your assumptions.

Important limitations

The model excludes taxes, insurance differences between locations, moving costs, rent increases, employer benefits, housing appreciation, school and childcare effects, reliability, safety, health effects, and personal quality of life. The answer is a planning estimate, not financial advice.