<prompt> Human: I have a dilemma with a handful of variables. I have just graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science in Oregon, and have a job lined up where I will be making about 62k a year before taxes and a rough estimate of 45,500 after taxes. My dilemma is to decide if I want to either share a smaller two bedroom apartment with one other person about two miles from work and be spending 900 total per month, or to move further from work, where rent is cheaper and I would be in a larger house with a yard and garage which I would like for 575 a month. Both cases I would be living with one other person. Upfront it seems like the extra 40 minute commute would be worth it for the larger house that would give me more room, a yard, freedom of neighbors and 325 less per month in rent 3900 annual, but after looking at articles like it seems that commuting can be much worse then it seems. However the article doesnt really take into account the value of cheaper rent, and more room at home. In addition, living further will give me the ability to rent month to month and not be locked into a year long lease, and I will be closer to family who could benefit from me being near. My question comes down to how can I really tell what the cost of commuting will be after taking into account the value of my time if Im being paid 30 an hour with a 40 minute commute that spans 29 miles one way, and a car that is paid off with about 30 MPG. Traffic is near non existent for the majority of the drive so while its long mileage wise, traffic is minimal. Any input would be appreciated. EDIT- Thanks all for the input. One thing I could have made more clear is that the drive is 40 minutes one way. So an hour and 20 minutes total.Its a choice Im still debating on but all responses are very appreciated. The upside is that my problem is one that is deciding on options and I know its a good dilemma to have as far as problems go. The fact that I even have a choice is something of high value in itself so in the end it will work out pretty well either way.Assistant: I didnt read all the comments but Id assume people told you there story. Commuting sucks the life out of you. Your young so maybe it wont affect so much now but as a mid 30something, it sucks big time. I do maybe 40-60 minutes each way and it really sucks. Cant imagine 1.5 hours. No advice other then commuting sucks. Human: Might have worded it confusing, but I will be driving 1 hour and 20 minutes total a day. 40 minutes to work and 40 minutes homeAssistant: I miss read, my fault. 40 min on average is what I do now and is the absolute max I would ever do. I still hate it but 35-40 min is doable. Human: I would be spending 900 a month if i lived near work and 558 if i commuted, so 900 - 558 342 a month saved in rent. However in my time alone I will be spending 896 driving if I say my time spent driving is what I will be making an hour at work. If I add in the cost of gas at 30 MPG then I can add 50 miles a day 5 days a week 250 miles a week 4.2 weeks a month 1050 miles a month at 30MPG then 105030 35 gallons of gas at 3.20 a gallon 112 in gas. So 896 for my time spend driving 112 for the cost of gas 1008 If it costs me 1008 more to drive to work and I save 342 in rent if I commute, I really will be losing 1008 - 342 666 a month if I commute to work. Or 7992 a year. That math makes it seem stupid to commute. Does it look like I am missing something? Or is commuting going to lose me money and time both?  <response>: From your very detailed breakdown you would lose both time and money. Losing time is my major issue, not the money per say. 