Mutual Save & Split
On this page
- Why the first month costs the most
- One-off costs to plan for
- Deposit and move-in payments
- Moving costs
- Utility and internet setup
- Furniture and household basics
- Insurance and admin
- Monthly costs to expect afterwards
- A first-month budget template
- How to split the costs
- What to agree before moving day
- Keeping track after the move
- FAQ
- How much does it cost to move in together?
- Who should pay the security deposit?
- Should we open a joint account for the move?
- How much should we keep as a buffer?
- What if one of us has more savings than the other?
- Do we need renters insurance?
The short answer: the cost of moving in together is more than the rent. In the first month you typically pay a security deposit, the first month's rent, moving costs, utility setup, basic household items and often some furniture, all at once. Costs vary widely by city and home, so build your own list, total it, agree who pays what and set aside a buffer for surprises.
Why the first month costs the most
Ongoing bills are predictable. The first month is not, because several one-off costs land together before you have settled into a routine. Couples are often surprised because each cost seems small until they are added up.
The good news is that nearly all of these costs can be listed in advance. A short budget, agreed before moving day, prevents the first arguments about money in your new home.
One-off costs to plan for
Deposit and move-in payments
Many landlords ask for a security deposit and sometimes the first month's rent, and occasionally an application or agency fee. The rules and amounts depend on where you live and the landlord, so check your lease and local regulations before you budget.
Moving costs
Hiring movers, renting a van, buying boxes and tape, or paying friends back with pizza all count. If you are moving from two homes, you may have two moves to pay for.
Utility and internet setup
Some providers charge connection or setup fees, and some ask for a deposit. Ask each provider what is due upfront.
Furniture and household basics
You may be combining two homes and still find gaps: a bed, a sofa, a table, cookware, cleaning supplies, bathroom basics. Our guide on how to split furniture costs with a partner covers ownership and contributions.
Insurance and admin
Renters insurance, a change of address and updating accounts can add small costs and time. Check what applies in your situation.
Monthly costs to expect afterwards
- Rent or mortgage
- Utilities: electricity, water, gas and heating
- Internet and phone
- Groceries and household items
- Transport
- Insurance
- Shared subscriptions
Be realistic about utilities and groceries, because moving in together usually changes your spending. For ideas, see our guides on how to split utility bills as a couple and building a couple grocery budget.
A first-month budget template
Copy this table and fill in your own numbers. The amounts below are placeholders to show the layout, not typical costs.
| Item | Estimated cost | Paid by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security deposit | Check refund rules | ||
| First month's rent | |||
| Moving costs | Van, movers, boxes | ||
| Utility and internet setup | Ask about upfront fees | ||
| Furniture and basics | Who keeps what if you split up | ||
| Insurance | |||
| Groceries (first month) | Pantry stock-up costs extra | ||
| Buffer (10-15% of total) | For things you forgot | ||
| Total |
A buffer matters. Something will be missing from the list, and having money set aside means it will not turn into credit card debt.
How to split the costs
There are three common approaches, and you can mix them:
- Equal split. Each of you pays half of everything. Simple, and good when incomes are similar.
- Income-based split. Each pays the same percentage of their income. Fairer when one of you earns noticeably more. See our guide to splitting bills fairly by income.
- Who-owns-what split. One partner pays for items they will keep, such as a sofa they bring or buy, and the other covers different items. Write down who owns what to avoid confusion later.
For the deposit, many couples split it in the same way as the rent. If only one name is on the lease, agree in writing how the deposit would be returned to each of you. Our guide to splitting rent as a couple goes deeper.
What to agree before moving day
- Total budget for the move and the buffer
- Who pays upfront and how the other pays them back
- How you will split monthly bills and when
- Whose name is on the lease and utilities, and what that means in practice
- A shared savings or emergency amount, so the move does not drain your reserves
Our moving in together finances checklist covers the six main decisions in more detail.
Keeping track after the move
The first month sets the pattern. Log who paid for what, even when it feels like too much effort, and settle up regularly. Mutual, our app, supports shared expense tracking, income-based splitting, savings goals, monthly budgeting, bill reminders and reports for couples, which is helpful when you are juggling deposits, setup fees and new bills at once. It is available on the App Store for iPhone.
Once things settle, a monthly routine keeps the peace. Our couple monthly budget template is a good next step.
FAQ
How much does it cost to move in together?
It depends entirely on where you live, your home and what you already own. Add up your own deposit, first rent, moving costs, setup fees and essentials, then add a 10-15% buffer.
Who should pay the security deposit?
Many couples split it the same way as the rent, either equally or by income. If only one name is on the lease, agree in writing how each person gets their share back.
Should we open a joint account for the move?
It can help for shared costs, but it is not required. Some couples use a joint account only for shared bills. Our guide on joint, separate or hybrid accounts explains the options.
How much should we keep as a buffer?
A buffer of around 10-15% of your first-month total is a sensible starting point. Adjust to what you can comfortably afford.
What if one of us has more savings than the other?
Talk about it before the move. The partner with more savings may cover more upfront and be paid back, or you can use an income-based split for one-off costs. The important thing is a clear, shared agreement.
Do we need renters insurance?
Requirements vary by landlord and location. Check your lease and consider what you would need to replace if something went wrong.
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