Buying a home in the Denver metro area? Price per square foot and school districts are important—but there’s another cost you might be overlooking: your daily commute.
Two Homes, Two Very Different Commutes
Let’s say you’re choosing between:
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Home A: $500,000, located 20 miles from work
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Home B: $600,000, just 5 miles from work
At first glance, Home A seems like the better deal. But when you factor in the cost of commuting, things change quickly.
What Your Commute is Really Costing You
If you drive to work 240 days a year and value your time at $20/hour:
Home A (20 miles away):
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40 miles of driving per day
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About 1.6 hours in traffic per day
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~$2,400/year in driving costs
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~$7,680/year in lost time
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Total: Over $10,000/year in commuting costs
Home B (5 miles away):
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10 miles of driving per day
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About 0.4 hours in traffic per day
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~$600/year in driving costs
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~$1,920/year in lost time
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Total: Around $2,500/year in commuting costs
What About the Higher Mortgage?
Home B costs $100,000 more, which adds roughly $7,600 per year to your mortgage at a 6.5% rate.
But here’s the catch:
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You save nearly $7,560 per year by living closer.
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You get back 288 hours of your life every year—that’s 12 full days.
The Takeaway
Living closer to work isn’t just about convenience.
It can save you thousands each year and give you back precious time.
Want to crunch your own numbers? Try our Cost Per Mile Calculator (for entertainment purposes only).
Need help weighing your options or exploring smart locations?
Let’s talk. I’d love to help you find the right home that makes sense for both your lifestyle and your wallet.