Because rent is quoted monthly in some places and weekly in others, and mixing units is how false comparisons happen. Converting everything to a weekly figure and counting the same weeks for both options makes the comparison honest and the difference tangible.

It depends on what is included — purpose-built student housing usually bundles utilities and internet into one payment, while house-shares bill them separately and variably. Entering a realistic weekly figure for each option is what stops the cheaper rent from hiding the more expensive life.

Sometimes — if the cheaper place genuinely costs less once commuting is counted, and the location does not cost you time you value more. The calculator shows the real weekly difference; the decision is whether the cheaper address buys the same life for less, or just moves the costs.