What expected return rate should I enter?

Use a realistic low-risk annual return you could earn elsewhere, such as a savings-deposit or bond yield. The calculator applies it as simple interest to estimate the opportunity cost of tied-up deposits.

What does break-even wolse rent mean?

It is the monthly rent level where jeonse and wolse become equal on a monthly-equivalent cost basis under your inputs.

Does this include taxes, maintenance fees, or moving costs?

You can enter differing one-time costs such as brokerage and moving fees. Loan interest, deposit-return risk, maintenance-fee differences, taxes, and future rate changes remain excluded.

Why can the result show no positive break-even rent?

If wolse deposit opportunity cost and wolse one-time costs already exceed the jeonse cost, wolse remains more expensive even at zero monthly rent under this model.

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Jeonse vs Wolse Calculator | Compare Korea Rental Costs

Compare jeonse and wolse deposits, rent, opportunity cost, stay length, and one-time costs to estimate total cost, monthly-equivalent cost, and break-even rent.

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Jeonse deposit

Wolse deposit

Monthly wolse rent

Expected annual return (%)

Stay period (months)

Jeonse one-time costs (optional)

Wolse one-time costs (optional)

-Total jeonse housing cost (opportunity cost)

-Total wolse housing cost

-Jeonse monthly-equivalent cost

-Wolse monthly-equivalent cost

-Monthly cost gap

-Break-even wolse rent

Enter deposits, monthly rent, expected return, and stay period to compare the two options.

Opportunity cost uses simple interest. Optional one-time costs are spread across the stay. Loan interest, deposit-return risk, maintenance fees, and future rate changes are excluded.

Why compare jeonse and wolse this way?

Simple deposit-vs-rent comparison can be misleading. Jeonse ties up a large deposit, creating opportunity cost. Wolse has explicit monthly rent but lower tied capital.

This tool compares both on the same basis: deposit opportunity cost, rent payments, and optional one-time costs.

Key features

Compares total and monthly-equivalent housing costs
Spreads optional brokerage, moving, and other one-time costs across the stay
Shows the cheaper option and monthly cost gap
Calculates break-even wolse rent with 12-, 24-, and 36-month presets

How to use

Enter jeonse deposit and expected annual return.
Enter wolse deposit and monthly rent.
Set expected stay period.
Add one-time costs only when they differ between the options.
Check total cost, monthly gap, and break-even wolse rent.

Formula and interpretation

Jeonse total cost = jeonse deposit × annual return × months ÷ 12 + jeonse one-time costs
Wolse total cost = wolse deposit × annual return × months ÷ 12 + monthly rent × months + wolse one-time costs
Break-even rent = (jeonse deposit − wolse deposit) × annual return ÷ 12 + (jeonse costs − wolse costs) ÷ months

Monthly rent below the break-even amount favors wolse in this simplified model; rent above it favors jeonse. Opportunity cost uses simple interest. Treat the result as a scenario, not as financial or housing advice.

What to check before deciding

This comparison includes deposit opportunity cost, monthly rent, and the one-time costs you enter. It does not include jeonse or wolse deposit-loan interest, deposit-return risk, differences in maintenance fees, taxes, or future rate changes. Add those items separately before signing a lease; the result is a planning scenario, not a guarantee of investment returns or deposit safety.

Loan planning: Loan Calculator
Deposit-return scenario: Savings Interest Calculator
Moving transaction fee check: Brokerage Fee Calculator