Renew or move? Compare the total cost honestly.

A renewal increase isn't automatically a reason to move.

Most renters making this decision compare two numbers — the renewal rent vs. some alternative listing they've seen. That comparison usually misses the move costs, the rent-growth trajectory at the new place, and the time horizon that determines whether either path actually pays off.

The honest version of this question has four moving parts: the rent delta this year, the move costs, future rent growth on both sides, and how long you'll stay. Get any one of those wrong and the verdict can flip. The calculator runs all four together so the comparison is real.

Why one-time move costs surprise people

The visible move costs — movers and a security deposit — are usually 60–70% of the actual total. The remaining 30–40% comes from line items that don't show up until the month they hit: application fees ($50–$200 per applicant), pet deposits or pet rent, parking transfers, utility connection fees, internet install, mail forwarding, time off work to coordinate the physical move, and sometimes overlap rent if the new lease starts before the old one ends. Total one-time costs in the $3,500–$5,500 range are typical for an apartment-to-apartment move; higher for furnished moves, cross-country relocations, or moves with pets.

The deposit on the new place isn't lost — it's just illiquid for the duration of the lease. The deposit refunded from the current place isn't guaranteed to come back in full either; landlords routinely deduct for "cleaning" and "wear and tear." The calculator assumes you get most of it back, but adjust if your unit has issues.

Why the renewal increase is rarely as bad as it looks at first

A 7% renewal increase on a $2,400 rent feels like a lot. It is — but the move alternative usually involves $3,500+ in one-time costs plus an unknown rent trajectory. Over a one-year horizon, those one-time costs can swallow the entire monthly savings. Over a three-year horizon, the math changes. The verdict often depends entirely on how long you'd realistically stay — which is the input most renters get wrong by underestimating their own inertia.

The negotiation angle

Most renewal offers are negotiable, especially in soft markets. Landlords absorb their own costs when units turn over — listing fees, vacancy weeks, repainting, occasional carpet replacement. A renewal that's 4% below the offered increase is often acceptable to the landlord because it still beats their economic outcome from a turnover. Run this calculator first; the answer (and the dollar amounts) gives you specific leverage in the conversation.