Rental Property Comparison Tool
Use this tool to compare two or three rental properties side by side. Enter the rent, security deposit, utilities, and commute cost for each property and see the total monthly cost and 12-month cost for each. The comparison table gives you the same information for each property in the same format, so you can make a like-for-like comparison before deciding.
Enter details for at least two properties. Leave commute blank if you have not calculated it yet.
Property 1
Property 2
How to use this tool
- Enter the details for your first property, including rent, security deposit, and whether utilities are included.
- Add a second property. Add a third if you are comparing more than two.
- The comparison table will show total monthly and 12-month costs for each property side by side.
Understanding your results
Total monthly cost includes rent, estimated utilities (if not included in rent), and commute. It does not include the security deposit, because the deposit is a one-off upfront cost, not a recurring monthly cost. The 12-month cost multiplies your total monthly figure by 12 and assumes rent and utilities stay the same across the year.
Commute cost is user-entered and is an estimate. If you have not calculated your commute cost, use a monthly transit pass price or an average weekly fuel and parking cost multiplied by four. Where commute is not entered for a property, that column’s total may be understated.
Legal context
Security deposit limits vary by state. Many states cap deposits at one to two months’ rent, though some have no statutory cap. Check your state’s landlord-tenant law before signing a lease. Utilities included in rent should be listed in the lease agreement. If a landlord says utilities are included but this is not written into the lease, it is not enforceable.