Move-in Cost Calculator
Short answer
Move-in cost is the cash needed on day one: first-month (or prorated) rent + security deposit + pet and admin fees + moving costs. Add each item separately; a deposit that looks small on its own can still make the first-month total much larger than one month's rent.
Last verified: 2026-10-25. This is general information, not legal advice. City ordinances may be stricter and may override state rules. Check the official source for your city and state before acting.
Worked example
| Item | Example amount |
|---|---|
| First-month rent (full month) | $1,500.00 |
| Security deposit | $1,500.00 |
| Application / admin fees | $50.00 |
| First-month cash needed | $3,050.00 |
| Moving costs | $300.00 |
| Total move-in cost | $3,350.00 |
Moving in usually costs more than one month's rent. Add up the deposit, first-month rent, fees, and moving costs so you know the cash you need on day one.
This is general information, not legal advice. City ordinances may be stricter and may override state rules. Check the official source for your city and state before acting.
Calculate your move-in cost
Formula
First-month cash needed = first-month rent (prorated amount if entered, otherwise full monthly rent) + security deposit + pet/other fees + application/admin fees.
Total move-in cost = first-month cash needed + moving costs.
Worked example
Monthly rent $1,800, prorated first month $929.03, deposit $1,800, pet fee $300, application fee $50, moving costs $400.
- First-month cash needed: $929.03 + $1,800 + $300 + $50 = $3,079.03.
- Total move-in cost including moving: $3,079.03 + $400 = $3,479.03.
Limitations
- Deposit rules vary by state — some states cap deposits and set return deadlines, others do not. Use the Deposit calculator and check the official source for your state before assuming a deposit amount is lawful.
- This calculator does not include recurring costs (utilities, insurance, parking) or costs after the first month.
- Fees that are refundable vs. non-refundable are treated the same here for cash-needed purposes; your lease should say which is which.
Sources
- Deposit caps and return deadlines are state-specific and are covered, where verified, on the deposit tool and in the Guides. No deposit cap is assumed by this calculator.
- For state and city rules that may affect your move, check the official source for your city and state.
Last verified: 2026-10-25.
Related guide: First and Last Month's Rent Explained — what move-in cash really covers, and what it does not.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as move-in cost?
First-month or prorated rent, the security deposit, pet and admin fees, and moving costs.
Is the deposit included in the first-month total?
Yes. The first-month cash needed includes the deposit and fees, and the total move-in cost adds moving costs on top.
Do deposit rules vary by state?
Yes. Check the Deposit calculator and the official source for your state; for states without a verified rule on this site, the answer is Check official source.