# Apartment Offer Comparison Formulas

## Purpose

Calculate and compare the full cost of apartment offers using the same cost categories.

## Variables

monthlyRent, leaseLengthMonths, freeMonths, brokerFeeType, brokerFeeValue, deposits, one-time fees, recurring monthly add-ons, roommate count, and user share percentage.

## Formulas

grossLeaseRent = monthlyRent * leaseLengthMonths

concessionValue = monthlyRent * freeMonths

netLeaseRent = grossLeaseRent - concessionValue

netEffectiveRent = netLeaseRent / leaseLengthMonths

brokerFee = 0 if none

brokerFee = brokerFeeValue if flat

brokerFee = monthlyRent * 12 * brokerFeePercent if percent of annual rent

brokerFee = monthlyRent * brokerFeeMonths if months of rent

monthlyAddOns = monthlyPetRent + parkingMonthly + utilitiesMonthly + internetMonthly + rentersInsuranceMonthly + storageMonthly + otherMonthlyFees

realMonthlyCost = netEffectiveRent + monthlyAddOns

actualMonthlyPaymentBeforeConcessionSpread = monthlyRent + monthlyAddOns

upfrontCash = securityDeposit + firstMonthDue + lastMonthDue + brokerFee + applicationFee + adminFee + amenityFee + moveInFee + buildingFee + petDeposit + movingCostEstimate + otherOneTimeFees

refundableUpfront = securityDeposit + petDeposit

nonRefundableUpfront = upfrontCash - refundableUpfront

totalLeaseCost = netLeaseRent + brokerFee + applicationFee + adminFee + amenityFee + moveInFee + buildingFee + movingCostEstimate + otherOneTimeFees + petDeposit + securityDeposit + monthlyAddOns * leaseLengthMonths

totalLeaseCostExcludingRefundableDeposits = totalLeaseCost - refundableUpfront

brokerFeeMonthlyImpact = brokerFee / leaseLengthMonths

userShareCost = totalCost * userSharePercentage, or totalCost / roommateCount for equal split.

## Example calculation

Apartment B has $2,300 monthly rent and a 12% broker fee. brokerFee = 2300 * 12 * 0.12 = 3312. brokerFeeMonthlyImpact = 3312 / 12 = 276.

## Edge cases

Lease length must be at least 1. Empty numeric inputs are treated as 0. Percent broker values are entered as percent values, not decimals.

## Rounding rules

Do calculations before rounding. Display currency as whole dollars unless cents matter.

## Limitations

Informational estimate only. Does not verify lease terms, legality, refundability, affordability, or local rules.

## Related tool URL

/tools/apartment-offer-comparison/