How Much Does It Actually Cost to Move In?

By RentRight Team · Published April 4, 2026 · 9 min read

You found an apartment you love. The rent is $1,500 a month, which fits your budget. You are ready to sign. Then the landlord hands you a breakdown of what is due before you get the keys, and the number is not $1,500. It is $4,000. Or $5,500. Or, in some markets, north of $7,000.

Move-in costs catch first-time renters off guard every single time, and even experienced renters underestimate them. The monthly rent is just one piece. Before you set foot in the apartment, you are paying for the privilege of being approved, the assurance that you will not trash the place, and sometimes a fee to the person who showed you the listing. It adds up fast.

Here is a realistic breakdown of every cost you should expect, with actual dollar ranges based on a $1,500/month apartment.

1. First and Last Month's Rent

Almost every landlord requires first month's rent before you move in. That part is obvious. What surprises many renters is the request for last month's rent upfront as well.

The logic from the landlord's perspective is simple: if you skip out on your final month, they already have the money. Not every landlord requires it — it is more common in competitive markets and with individual landlords rather than large property management companies. But when it is required, it effectively doubles the rent you owe on day one.

Typical cost: $1,500 (first month only) to $3,000 (first and last). Some states limit what landlords can collect upfront. Massachusetts, for example, caps it at first month, last month, security deposit, and a lock change fee. Other states have no limits at all.

If paying first and last month is a stretch, it is worth asking whether you can pay the last month's rent in installments over the first few months. Some landlords will agree, especially if you have strong credit and references.

2. Security Deposit

The security deposit is money held by the landlord to cover any damage you cause beyond normal wear and tear. It is refundable when you move out, assuming you leave the place in reasonable condition. In practice, getting it back requires some effort, but that is a topic for another article.

Most security deposits equal one month's rent, though some landlords charge more. Several states cap the deposit amount by law:

• California: One month's rent for unfurnished, two months for furnished
• New York: One month's rent (as of 2019)
• Texas: No statutory limit
• Massachusetts: One month's rent
• Illinois: No statutory limit (but many cities impose their own)

Typical cost: $1,500 (one month's rent). In states without caps or for furnished units, expect $1,500 to $3,000.

3. Application and Admin Fees

Before you even get approved, most landlords charge an application fee to cover the cost of running a credit check and background check. This fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you are approved, which means if you are applying to multiple apartments (as many renters in competitive markets do), these fees stack up quickly.

Typical cost: $25 to $75 per application. Some states cap application fees — California limits them to the actual cost of screening, typically around $30 to $55. Other landlords charge a separate "administrative fee" of $100 to $300 on top of the application fee, which covers lease preparation and processing. Whether this is legal depends on your state.

If you are apartment hunting in a competitive market and applying to five or six places, you could spend $200 to $400 in application fees alone before you even find a place. Budget for at least three to four applications.

4. Broker Fees

This is the cost that turns an expensive process into a brutal one, and it is concentrated in a few specific markets. In cities like New York, Boston, and parts of New Jersey, it is common (sometimes unavoidable) to work with a broker who charges a fee for finding or showing you the apartment.

Broker fees typically equal one month's rent or 12 to 15 percent of the annual rent. On a $1,500/month apartment, that is $1,500 to $2,700 — paid to someone who, in many cases, unlocked a door and let you walk around for 10 minutes.

Typical cost: $0 in most U.S. markets (no broker involved), or $1,500 to $2,700 in broker-fee markets. The good news is that "no-fee" listings exist in every market. They just take more effort to find. Search directly on landlord websites, property management company portals, and platforms that filter for no-fee apartments.

If you are in a market where broker fees are standard, factor this into your savings target from the beginning. It is often the single largest surprise cost for renters new to these cities.

5. Utility Setup and Deposits

Once you have the keys, you need the lights on, the water running, and the internet working. Setting up utilities is not free, and depending on your credit history, utility companies may require a deposit.

• Electric: $0 to $200 deposit, plus potential setup fee of $15 to $50
• Gas: $0 to $150 deposit
• Water: Usually included in rent, but if separate, expect a $25 to $75 deposit
• Internet: $0 to $100 setup/installation fee, plus first month's service ($50 to $80)
• Trash: Usually included in rent or handled by the city

Typical cost: $100 to $500 total, depending on how many utilities you need to set up yourself and whether the utility companies require deposits. If you have an established account with good payment history, you can often avoid deposits entirely. If you are setting up utilities for the first time, expect to pay on the higher end.

6. Renter's Insurance

Many landlords now require proof of renter's insurance before you can move in. Even those who do not require it should. Renter's insurance is genuinely one of the best deals in personal finance.

A standard policy covers your personal belongings (furniture, electronics, clothes) against theft, fire, and water damage. It also includes liability coverage in case someone is injured in your apartment and additional living expenses if your unit becomes uninhabitable and you need to stay somewhere else temporarily.

Typical cost: $15 to $30 per month, with the first month or first payment due at move-in. Some insurers offer a discount if you pay annually ($150 to $300 for the year). For the coverage you get, this is the least painful cost on this list.

7. The Actual Move

This one is easy to forget because it is not a cost you pay to the landlord, but it is money that comes out of your pocket on move-in day nonetheless.

• DIY with a rental truck: $50 to $200 for a local move (plus fuel and mileage), or $500 to $2,000+ for a long-distance move
• Professional movers (local): $300 to $1,500 depending on the size of your apartment and how much stuff you have
• Professional movers (long-distance): $1,500 to $5,000+
• Packing supplies: $50 to $150 for boxes, tape, and bubble wrap

Typical cost: $200 to $1,000 for a local move. If you can recruit friends with trucks and buy them pizza, you can get this closer to $50 to $100. Long-distance moves are a different beast entirely and deserve their own budget line.

The Full Picture

Here is what it all looks like together for a $1,500/month apartment:

That low estimate of $3,390 assumes no broker fee, no last month's rent, and a DIY move with help from friends. It is realistic for many markets. The high end of $10,455 is what renters in New York City or Boston might face when a broker fee and last month's rent are both required.

The takeaway: even in the best case, you should expect to pay roughly two to three times your monthly rent just to walk through the door. In expensive or broker-fee markets, four to six times is not unusual.

A good rule of thumb: save at least three to four times your monthly rent before you start seriously apartment hunting. Having that cushion means you are not scrambling to cover move-in costs and can focus on finding the right place instead of the cheapest one.

How to Reduce Your Move-In Costs

You cannot eliminate move-in costs, but you can trim them significantly:

• Negotiate with the landlord. Ask to split the security deposit over two months, or request that last month's rent be waived upfront. Landlords with long-vacant units are often flexible.
• Search for no-fee apartments. In broker-fee markets, this alone saves you one to two months' rent.
• Time your move. Rental prices and competition drop in November through February in most markets. Landlords are more willing to negotiate concessions during slower months.
• Reduce moving costs. Borrow or rent a hand truck, ask friends to help, sell or donate furniture that is not worth moving, and collect free boxes from liquor stores and grocery stores.
• Bundle renter's insurance. If you already have auto insurance, adding renter's insurance to the same policy often qualifies you for a multi-policy discount.

The Bottom Line

The sticker shock of move-in costs is real, but it is not mysterious. Every cost on this list is predictable if you know to expect it. The renters who get caught off guard are the ones who only budgeted for first month's rent and assumed everything else would be minor.

Start saving early. Know what your specific market requires. And use a tool like the Move-In Cost Calculator to get a number that is specific to your situation rather than a generic estimate from a blog post. Your number matters more than the average.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money should I save before moving into an apartment?

A safe rule of thumb is to save three to four times your monthly rent before moving. For a $1,500/month apartment, that means $4,500 to $6,000 to cover first month's rent, a security deposit, application fees, utility setup, renter's insurance, and a small buffer for unexpected costs. In broker-fee markets like New York City, you may need even more.

Can I negotiate move-in costs with my landlord?

Yes, and more renters should try. Landlords with vacant units are often willing to negotiate, especially during slower rental months (November through February in most markets). You can ask to spread the security deposit over two or three months, waive the last month's rent requirement upfront, or reduce the deposit in exchange for a longer lease term. The worst they can say is no.

Do I have to pay first and last month's rent upfront?

Not always. Many landlords require first month's rent plus a security deposit at signing, but last month's rent upfront is less common and depends on the landlord and market. Some states have limits on how much a landlord can collect at move-in. Massachusetts, for example, allows first month, last month, security deposit, and lock change fee — but nothing else.

What is a broker fee and can I avoid it?

A broker fee is a commission paid to a real estate agent or broker who helped you find the apartment. It is most common in New York City and Boston, where it typically equals one month's rent or 12 to 15 percent of the annual rent. You can avoid it by searching for "no-fee" listings directly from landlords or management companies, or by using listing platforms that filter for no-fee apartments.

Is renter's insurance required to move in?

It depends on your lease. Many landlords and property management companies now require proof of renter's insurance before handing over the keys. Even if it is not required, it is strongly recommended. Policies typically cost $15 to $30 per month and cover your belongings against theft, fire, and water damage, plus liability if someone is injured in your unit.