A few weeks ago, I put out a call on Twitter and on Facebook for detailed posts that people would like to see. I got enough great responses that I’m going to fill the entire month of July – one post per day – addressing these ideas. On Facebook, Alyssa asks “Is it worth investing in a washer & dryer or is it more economical to use a laundromat?” Few people would argue that, over the long run, a washer and dryer will save you money. The question really comes down to how long that long run really is. Let’s take a look at some real numbers and see what we find. First of all, let’s look at basic costs for a laundromat. Cost to travel to and from laundromat: $1 per trip (this is highly estimated, but there is some cost involved here) Number of loads per trip: 8 (Again, estimated) Cost of washer load at laundromat: $1.50 (I called three different local ones and averaged) Cost of dryer load at laundromat: $1.50 Cost per eight loads of laundry at laundromat: $25

Cost per load at laundromat: $3.12 What about the basic costs of a home washer and dryer? This varies a lot based on how you use your washer and dryer. Energy cost per washer load: $0.04 – $0.68, averaged at $0.36 (source)Moving Companies St George Utah Energy cost per dryer load: $0.31 – $0.49, averaged at $0.40 (source)Weight Loss Photo Collage Water cost per washer load: $0.11 (40 gallons per load, using this chart)Seat Covers With Gmc Logo Cost per eight loads of laundry at home: $7.76 Cost per load at home: $0.97 Savings per load at home (excluding equipment costs): $2.15 Now, let’s talk about appliance costs and lifespans. Average washing machine cost: $700 Average clothes dryer cost: $600

Lifespan of washing machine, one load per day: 9.5 years Lifespan of dryer, one load per day: 11 years Cost per load for average washing machine: $0.20 Cost per load for average clothes dryer: $0.15 Cost per load for average equipment: $0.35 Savings per load at home (including equipment costs): $1.80 One final factor – recouping the cost of the equipment: Total equipment cost: $1,300 Number of washer and dryer loads to recoup washer and dryer cost: 605 loads The break-even point on having an average washer and dryer in your home is around 600 loads, according to my calculations. There are lots of areas where one could quibble with the numbers used in the calculation, but no matter how much you quibble, you’ll end up with an estimate somewhere reasonably close to that number. The real question then becomes how long you’re going to be living in your current residence. If you do a load of laundry each day, you’d need to live there two years to start really recouping the cost of a washer and dryer.

If you wash less frequently, the time frame would be longer. We wash a bit over a load a day on average (two adults and three children), for comparison’s sake. If you own your home and intend to live there more than a few years, a washer and dryer are solid additions. Even if you do not, a washer and dryer included with your home might recoup some of the value when you sell. If I owned a home, I would probably invest in a washer and dryer. On the other hand, if I rented a home, I would probably not invest unless you have some form of long-term lease or arrangement with your landlord. Without that, the troubles you may run into with installing and then (possibly) quickly removing the equipment undoes the benefit you’d get. Get 2x Points on All Your Travel and Dining >> A Great Way To Pay Off Debt With A No Interest Credit Card Get rid of high interest debt with a 0% balance transfer credit card Get A Free Trip This Summer by using the Right Card Earn credit card points toward your favorite ways to travel

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We offer a wide variety of services for you to choose from and are just a phone call away. Whether you are moving into a new apartment or house, need to rent a refrigerator or washer and dryer or television, or if your appliance needs repair, we are here for you. We will deliver your appliance, move it to a new location or haul it away. Call now and take advantage of our great prices and promotions. The fastest and most reliable service in the market - guaranteed!But instead of spending the endless days of the season lounging by a pool, many renters will inevitably spend a portion of their days hauling laundry down the block or across town to their local Laundromat. Here at Trulia, we (and your landlord) know that having an in-unit washer and dryer is a coveted amenity that often ranks high on renters’ list of must-haves. But just how much extra in rent are you likely to pay each month to not have to collect quarters or haul your skivvies down the street for the world to see?

Trulia took a spin through the large multi-family buildings listed for rent on its site and found that across 13 top metro areas, in-unit washers and dryers command a 10% per month premium on average. Those living in Philadelphia pay the biggest premium for in-unit laundry to the tune of 20%, or $211 extra in monthly rent. Those living in Seattle pay 4%, about $29 more in rent each month to avoid having to brave the rain with their laundry baskets in tow. The Down and Dirty On Laundry Costs Anyone who has rented an apartment without laundry knows that it takes time, energy and a lot of quarters to get your clothes clean. Even if there are Laundromats within walking distance of your apartment, carrying 10lbs of laundry can be burdensome. In large cities, wash and folds (places that do your laundry for you) cost around $1.00 per pound of laundry. Assuming that you do 10lbs of laundry per week, you will spend $40 per month. If you opt for cheaper, coin-operated machines, at $3 a load you’ll pay a least $12 a month.

If you live in Seattle or Dallas-Fort Worth, renters could be better off renting a unit with a washer and dryer because the costs of doing laundry offsite are similar to the washer/dryer premium in those metros. In the other metros listed, however, you’ll pay anywhere from $73 to $325 extra, so renters on a budget will have to weigh the inconvenience of having to go to the Laundromat over the cost savings. Sprawled out metros such as Philadelphia and Los Angeles likely have a greater washer/ dryer premium, because the distance from most apartments to the nearest Laundromats will be farther away. Metros where the cost of goods and living is more expensive (and presumably laundry services are more expensive) such as New York, San Francisco, and Boston also have high premiums. Washer/Dryer a Must-Have Amenity? Start The Search Cycle In these Suds-Friendly Neighborhoods Have you decided that having laundry in your apartment is worth the added premium? Below are some helpful maps showing renters which ZIP codes have the highest percentage (shown in dark green) and lowest percentage (shown in light green) of large apartment buildings with washer and dryers in-unit.

Click on the maps to be taken to an interactive city map showing where you’ll find the highest percent of in-unit apartment washers and dryers. Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Conshohocken, Manayunk, Northern Liberties, Callowhill Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Overbrook Farms, Millbourne, Walnut Hill Neighborhoods with highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Santa Monica, Pasadena, Studio City, Little Tokyo, Skid Row, Arts District Neighborhoods with lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Woodland Hills, View Park–Windsor Hills, Wilshire Center, Koreatown Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Inner Richmond, Laurel Heights, Lone Mountain, South Beach Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Twin Peaks, Diamond Heights, Glen Park Neighborhoods with highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Downtown, South End, Mission Hill, South Boston Neighborhoods with lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Fenway/Kenmore, Allston/Brighton, Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan

Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: West Loop Gate, The Loop, River North, South Loop Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Roseland, South Chicago, South Austin, Garfield Park Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Midtown West, Lenox Hill, Tribeca, Hudson Square, SoHo Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Greenwich Village, West Village, Midtown East Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: South Main, River Oaks, Fourth Ward, Westbury, Willow Meadows Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Gulfgate-Pine Valley, Greater East End, Magnolia Park, Afton Oaks Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Shaw, LeDroit Park, Capitol Hill, Arlington – Clarendon Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Southwest Waterfront, Fort Dupont, Shepherd Park Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Scripps Ranch, Mission Valley, Mission Valley East, Torrey Highlands, Rancho Pentasquitos

Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Barrio Logan, Kensington, Normal Heights, University Heights, El Cajon Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: NorthLake, Sandy Springs, Lindridge-Martin Manor, Lindbergh Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Redan, Lithonia, Union City, Atlanta University area Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Downtown, Dodge Island, Virginia Key, Upper East Side, Morningside, Edgewater Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Brownsville, Allapatttah, Coral Way, Miami Shores, El Portal Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Woodinville, Cottage Lake, Kingsgate, Totem Lake Neighborhoods with the lowest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Canyon Park, Pioneer Square, West Lake, South West Union Neighborhoods with the highest % of in-unit washer/dryer: Los Colinas, Broadmoor Hills, Deep Ellum, Castlemere, Willow Bend, Breckenridge Park