How Much Does It Cost to Move Into an Apartment?

Two months' rent is the floor, three is typical, four happens in broker-fee cities. Here is each line and what controls it.

1. First month's rent

Due at signing everywhere. If you move in mid-month, most landlords prorate the first month and collect a full second month at the next due date.

2. Security deposit

Capped at one month in 12 jurisdictions, two in about ten, three in Nevada, uncapped in the rest. Refundable, with a statutory return deadline. See the table.

3. Last month's rent

Prepaid rent for your final month, collected at move-in by landlords who want cushion against a skip. Legal in most states; New York bars it beyond the one-month combined cap, California counts it toward the deposit cap, and Massachusetts allows it only alongside a one-month deposit and a lock fee.

4. Pet deposit or pet rent

Often $200–500 refundable, or $25–50/month pet rent. Capped in Colorado ($300 deposit or pet rent of 1.5%/$35), Nebraska (a quarter month), Kansas (half a month), Hawaii and Alaska (one month), North Dakota ($2,500 or two months). Service and assistance animals cannot be charged for under federal fair-housing law.

5. Application and screening fees

$25–75 typically; banned in Massachusetts and Vermont, capped from $20 (New York) to actual cost in several states. Details.

6. Broker fee

Mostly a New York City and Boston phenomenon: one month's rent or 12–15% of annual rent, paid by the tenant even when the landlord hired the broker. NYC's FARE Act (2025) shifts the fee to whichever party hired the broker; check current enforcement status before budgeting.

7. Utilities, movers, insurance

Utility deposits ($50–200 each for electric and gas if you lack a credit history), internet installation, a truck or movers ($150 for a local DIY move to $2,000+ for a crew), and the first renters-insurance payment ($12–25/month) if the lease requires coverage, which most now do.

Worked example at $1,500/month

Run your own numbers