The real cost of furnished vs. unfurnished — and why it's not what you think.

Every renter does the same napkin math: furnished costs more per month, so unfurnished must be the better deal. But that comparison only holds if you never plan to leave — and most people signing a 12-month lease in a new city do, eventually.

What actually shows up on moving day

A full furniture set for a one-bedroom — bed, dresser, sofa, table, the small stuff — runs $2,800 to $4,500 new, more if you're buying quickly under a deadline. Add delivery windows that rarely match your move-in date, and most people spend the first two weeks sleeping on an air mattress surrounded by boxes.

Furnished isn't a premium for comfort. It's insurance against the six weeks most people underestimate.

The math flips again at the other end of the lease. Unfurnished renters either haul everything to the next city — often $1,000 or more for a small move — or sell it all at a fraction of what they paid, then start over. Furnished renters just leave.

None of this means furnished always wins. If you're staying put for three years or more, buying makes sense — you'll live with your own choices, and the math has time to even out. The real question isn't furnished vs. unfurnished. It's how long you actually expect to stay.