It just so happens there is! (Sort of.) A one time sum can be compared with recurring annual sums by calculating the present value of each, taking into account prevailing interest rates. The present value of an infinite series of annual payments is given by the perpetuity formula: PV = (annual payment) / (interest rate). Assuming that the NSA budget won't grow, and using the 30-year treasury bond rate of 3.71%, the present value (or cost, really) of having an NSA forever is $270B. Of course, the NSA's budget is probably growing faster than 3.71% right now which ruins the math, since it would imply an infinite NPV. Also, to be totally accurate you would have to calculate the present value of the hyperloop which would be spent over some number of years.