Can I afford to move out? The real cost of renting your first place
By the PocketSorted team · Published
You can afford to move out if your take-home pay covers the rent, bills, food and transport with money left over each month — and you have the cash for the deposit, the first month's rent and moving costs upfront.
How much cash do I need upfront?
Take a £900-a-month flat in England:
- Deposit: most deposits are capped at five weeks' rent when the annual rent is under £50,000 — about £1,038 here
- First month's rent: £900
- Moving and setting up: van, basics for the kitchen, bedding — say £500
That is roughly £2,440 before you get the keys. Rules on deposits differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What monthly costs do people forget?
- Council tax (rates in Northern Ireland, often included in the rent)
- Gas and electricity
- Water and broadband
- Contents insurance
- A TV licence if you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer
- Food, toiletries and cleaning
- Getting to work
How do I know if I can afford it?
Start with your monthly take-home pay. Take off the rent, bills, food, transport and any debt repayments. What is left should cover savings and the things you enjoy — if it is close to zero, the place is too much for now.
Our house calculator has a rent mode that adds the bills and the upfront cash for you, and shows what is left from your pay.
Sources
Written by the PocketSorted team. Last reviewed 9 October 2026.
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