Free tool
Vacancy cost calculator
See what an empty rental costs, then compare whether a lower asking rent could leave you ahead by filling the unit sooner.
Compare the vacancy
Estimate your current timeline, then a faster-fill scenario at a lower asking rent.
Uses 365 days divided by 12 for an average month. This is a planning estimate, not a recommendation of what rent to charge.
Break-even monthly reduction
$135.21
At about $2,264.79/month, filling in 10 days produces the same estimated revenue over 12 months as waiting 30 days at $2,400.00.
Current vacancy loss
$2,367.12
Faster-fill loss
$789.04
Vacancy saved
$1,578.08
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The cost of waiting for a higher rent
A higher asking rent only helps when the additional monthly income offsets the rent lost while the unit sits empty. This calculator compares both options over the same period so you can see the tradeoff clearly. It does not estimate market rent or use pricing data from other landlords.
Common questions
How much does one vacant day cost?
This calculator divides annual rent by 365 to estimate the rent lost each day. A $2,400 monthly rental therefore costs about $78.90 for every vacant day.
What is the break-even rent reduction?
It is the largest estimated monthly reduction that leaves you with the same revenue over the selected lease term when the lower rent fills the unit sooner. Reducing rent by less than that amount would produce more revenue in the faster-fill scenario.
Does this calculator predict how quickly my unit will rent?
No. You provide both vacancy estimates. Demand, condition, season, location, marketing, and asking rent can all affect the actual time required to find a tenant.
Does the result include turnover and leasing expenses?
No. It compares rent revenue only. Advertising, cleaning, repairs, utilities, incentives, and screening costs should be considered separately.
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