A better comparison.
A clearer move.
FirstKey is my apartment planning project, bringing housing costs, roommate rent allocations, and move-in tasks into one practical planning space.
Look beyond the advertised rent.
A lower rent does not always mean a lower total housing cost. Utilities, parking, recurring fees, and the cash needed to move can change the comparison. FirstKey organizes these amounts so people can compare the same categories across apartments.
Separate cost, cash needs, and shared responsibility.
Apartment comparisons
Enter rent, utilities, parking, other monthly fees, a deposit, and moving/setup costs. The planner highlights the lowest estimated monthly total and lists each option’s upfront estimate.
Roommate rent split
The calculator allocates half the rent equally for shared space and half in proportion to bedroom size. This is a suggested method for discussion, not a claim that room size captures every difference between rooms.
Move-in checklist
A customizable checklist keeps practical tasks alongside the financial comparison. Plans save locally, with backup exports and printable reports.
Accounting distinction
The upfront estimate is first month’s rent plus deposit plus moving/setup costs. A refundable deposit ties up cash but is not necessarily a final expense. The monthly and upfront figures should not simply be added as separate annual expenses.
The cheaper rent can cost more.
Fictional apartment estimates for an educational example, not actual listings or a housing recommendation.
| Item | Apartment A | Apartment B |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,200 | $1,300 |
| Utilities | $180 | $100 |
| Parking | $100 | $0 |
| Other monthly fees | $50 | $25 |
| Monthly total | $1,530 | $1,425 |
| Refundable deposit entered | $1,200 | $1,300 |
| Moving/setup entered | $350 | $350 |
| Upfront estimate | $2,750 | $2,950 |
Apartment B has $100 higher rent but a $105 lower monthly total. If estimates stay constant for 12 months, that is $1,260 less in recurring costs. It also requires $200 more upfront under the entered assumptions. Cost and immediate cash requirements point to different tradeoffs.
Upfront estimates follow the tool’s formula, not an exhaustive move-in quote. Add other upfront charges to moving/setup and verify all figures against the lease.
A split that reconciles to the total.
For $2,400 rent and bedrooms of 120 and 160 square feet, each roommate first receives a $600 shared-space allocation. The remaining $1,200 is split by room size: 120/280 and 160/280.
Room 1: $600 + $1,200 × 120/280 → $1,114.29
Room 2: $600 + $1,200 × 160/280 → $1,285.71
The published logic floors allocations to cents and distributes any remaining cents in room order, keeping the total at $2,400. The worked apartment totals, upfront totals, annual difference, and rent shares were independently recalculated for this case study. This is an arithmetic and source-logic review, not a comprehensive product audit.
Comparability makes decisions clearer.
FirstKey applies expense classification, cost allocation, and consistent comparisons from my finance and accounting studies. It also highlights the distinction between a cash outlay and a final cost. For my interest in wealth management, the project demonstrates how I can explain a financial tradeoff clearly while leaving room for someone’s priorities and circumstances.
Keep the assumptions visible.
FirstKey uses entered estimates, not live listings or verified lease data. Its comparison does not account for commute, safety, location, or all lease terms. Plans stay in the visitor’s browser and do not synchronize between roommates.
Potential next steps include a fuller first-year cash-flow view, clearer treatment of refundable deposits, and optional adjustments for room amenities. These are future ideas, not current features. This case study makes no adoption, revenue, or client-outcome claims.