In some cases yes but what about when my mother-in-law came to visit when my daughter was born? The nearest crappy legal hotel was 45 min away and cost $140 a night. She got a one-week sublet two blocks away (family on vacation) for a week for $500.

Regardless of the savings in money, the big difference was the proximity.

Now that will be illegal and she will either visit less often or not stay as long.