How much money should I have saved before my first apartment?

Asked by: Dr. Evans Koepp DDS  |  Last update: February 21, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (70 votes)

How much should you save up for an apartment? As a general rule, you should have at least three times your rent saved before moving into a new apartment. That means that if you're looking to rent an apartment that's $1,200 per month, you should have at least $3,600 saved for rent.

How much should I save before getting my first apartment?

After moving in, ensure you have a budget that allows for ongoing rent and living expenses. Aim to have at least 3 months' rent saved as a cushion. To comfortably move into your first apartment, consider saving at least $3000 to $5000 for initial costs and a buffer for ongoing expenses.

Is $5000 enough to move out?

1. Is $5,000 enough to move out? It depends on your location and the cost of living there. In some areas, $5,000 may cover initial moving expenses and a few months of rent, but might not be sufficient in more expensive cities.

How much money do you need for your first apartment?

You'll want to have about three month's rent saved in your account before you move in so that you can pay the security deposit and first month's rent, and then have some left over so that if for some reason you go over budget one month, you won't have to worry about making any payments.

How much should you have in your bank account before renting an apartment?

Now, the big question: How much money do I actually need to set aside for an apartment? Based on the above categories, you should save an amount equal to at least 3-4 months' rent. That will cover paying rent for the first month, security deposits and last month's rent.

How to Save Money for Your First Apartment (Moving Out)

30 related questions found

Is 10k savings enough to move out?

A good rule of thumb is to have 3-6 months of living expenses saved before moving out, which typically ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on your location and lifestyle. This amount should cover your security deposit, first month's rent, moving costs, basic furniture, and provide an emergency fund buffer.

Do apartments look at bank balance?

Landlords use bank account information and bank statements to determine a renter's ability to pay on time. If you provide your bank account numbers, they can also use this information to set up automatic rental payments — with your permission, of course.

Is $2000 a month enough for an apartment?

The story is very different on the west and east coasts, where rents are more expensive. In San Jose, CA, a renter on a $2,000 budget can only afford a 537-square-foot apartment, the smallest among the most populous metro areas.

How do I financially prepare my first apartment?

Be prepared for the following:
  1. Rent: Your rent payment is typically the most substantial monthly expense. ...
  2. Groceries: Budget for your weekly or monthly grocery shopping. ...
  3. Transportation: Include expenses related to commuting, whether it's public transportation, gas, car maintenance, or rideshare services.

What is 3 times the rent of $1500?

Let's consider several examples to understand how to calculate 3 times the rent: What is 3 times the rent of $1500? You want to calculate your required income to afford to rent a specific apartment (aka three times the rent law). Hence, when someone asks how much is 3 times the rent, in this case, you can answer $4500.

What is the 50 30 20 rule?

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

How much should you save to move out into an apartment?

Aim to save up at least your upfront costs and three months of rent, plus expenses, before leaving the nest.

Is 5000 a month enough to live on?

Outside the most expensive parts of the United States, $5,000 per month is typically enough to cover rent or mortgage payments and other lifestyle expenses if you're mindful of your budget.

How should a beginner budget for an apartment?

Follow the 50/30/20 Rule. This means putting aside half their income for hard needs, such as rent and utilities, 30% for wants, such as social activities, and 20% towards savings.

Is $20,000 enough to move out?

In short, no. Having $20k saved up to move out is ideal, it gives you extra cash for deposits and whatever else you might need. However, you cannot intend to live on $20,000. To give you a different idea about how much that is, that averages about $9 an hour, which is hard to live on.

How long does it take to get approved for an apartment?

Applying for your new home is exciting, but you may wonder how long your apartment application takes to be approved. Typically, getting your application approved takes 1 to 3 business days.

How much money should I have saved for my first apartment?

From there, you'll typically want to save at least four times your monthly rent to cover up-front moving expenses. For example, if you know you can afford $1,500 per month in rent, you would want to save around $6,000 for a new apartment.

How much should your first apartment cost?

Determining how much rent you can afford is the first step in your apartment hunt. A common rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of your monthly income on rent. Sticking to this benchmark helps ensure you have enough leftover funds to cover your other living expenses.

How can I comfortably afford an apartment?

Spending around 30% of your income on rent is the golden rule when you're trying to figure out how much you can afford to pay. Spending 30% of your income on rent can help you reach a healthy balance between comfort and affordability. On a median income, 30% should get you an apartment you can truly call home.

How much is $5000 a month hourly?

$5,000 monthly is how much per hour? If you make $5,000 per month, your hourly salary would be $28.85. This result is obtained by multiplying your base salary by the amount of hours, week, and months you work in a year, assuming you work 40 hours a week.

Can I afford 1200 a month rent?

One popular guideline is the 30% rent rule, which says to spend around 30% of your gross income on rent. So if you earn $4,000 per month before taxes, you could spend up to about $1,200 per month on rent. This is a solid guideline, but it's not one-size-fits-all advice. Apartment List.

Do landlords care about savings?

The Importance of Savings

Landlords and property managers want to be sure that their tenants can pay rent consistently and on time. If you can demonstrate that you have substantial savings, this can provide some assurance to the landlord that you will be able to meet your financial obligations.

Can apartments see if you owe money?

Information included in a landlord credit check includes payment history, the existence of a bankruptcy or accounts in collections, debts currently owed and more. Landlords also consider other information when approving tenants for a rental, including current income and history of employment.

What do apartments look for on pay stubs?

Renters should expect to provide up to two months worth of pay stubs. By producing pay stubs for this period, you show the landlord how frequently you are paid and how much you make per month. Landlords typically check the pay stub for the total income per pay period and the employee's year-to-date (YTD) earnings.