Moving in together: the costs to plan for
Moving in together costs the most at the start: security deposit, first month's rent, fees, movers and furniture, before the first utility bill arrives. On a $1,600 rent, the total easily reaches $7,000. Below are the costs one by one, how to split them, and which ones to write down because one day they'll come back.
The DuoWallet teamPublished 30 October 20263 min read
The upfront costs, line by line
For a $1,600 monthly rent:
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Security deposit (one month) | $1,600 |
| First month's rent, paid at signing | $1,600 |
| Application and admin fees | $150 |
| Movers (truck rental or a small crew) | $800 |
| Utility and internet setup | $150 |
| Missing furniture and appliances | $2,700 |
| Total | $7,000 |
The deposit is usually one or two months' rent, and some states cap it. Some landlords also ask for the last month upfront, which adds another $1,600. Furniture is the most flexible line: a furnished place takes it close to zero.
What comes back and what doesn't
These costs aren't all the same:
- The deposit comes back when you move out, as long as the place is in good shape. It's a loan to the landlord, not a cost.
- First month, fees, movers and setup are spent: they don't come back.
- Furniture stays, and stays with whoever paid for it.
That's why the deposit and the furniture are the two lines to record most carefully. A few years from now, if you move or things go differently, you'll know right away what belongs to whom.
How to split the upfront costs
The simplest rule is to split them the way you'll split the rent: fifty-fifty, or in proportion to income. With take-home pay of $5,000 and $3,500 and the $7,000 from the example:
- fifty-fifty: $3,500 each;
- by income (59% and 41%): $4,118 and $2,882.
The split bills by income calculator runs it with your numbers, and the rent methods are covered in how to split rent with your partner.
For furniture there's another option: instead of splitting each purchase, each of you buys some items outright. One pays for the couch, the other for the washer. It's one less calculation, and if you ever split up, everyone knows what's theirs.
If one of you fronts everything
Often the deposit and fees are paid by whoever is on the lease or has more cash at that moment. That's fine, as long as it's on record: the other partner can pay back their share over time, along with the first months of shared costs. If you log it all in an expense sharing app for couples, the upfront costs and the everyday ones land in the same balance, and the debt closes on its own month after month.
After the first month
Once the upfront costs are behind you, the part that lasts begins: rent, utilities, groceries. What that comes to each month is in how much does it cost to live together, and to organize it there's our guide to making a couples budget. If you're thinking about a shared account for household bills, read the pros and cons of a joint bank account first. More guides are in couples and money.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to move in together?
For the upfront costs on a $1,600 rent, plan for around $7,000 between deposit, first month, fees, movers and furniture. Moving into a furnished place, or bringing furniture you already own, brings it down to around $4,300.
Who pays the security deposit when you move in together?
Usually you split it like the rent. If one of you puts it all down, write it down: the deposit comes back when you move out and should go back to whoever paid it.
Who keeps the furniture you bought together if you break up?
Whoever paid for it, in the share they paid. To avoid arguments, write down who bought what, or have each of you buy some items outright.
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