Rent affordability calculator

Monthly take-home income

Your desired rent

Enter your income to see what you can afford.

Average 1BR rent by city

City	Avg rent	Income needed

Moving cost estimator

Move type

Movers (est.)$—

Boxes & supplies$—

Security deposit (1 mo)$—

First + last month$—

Total you need upfront$—

Based on your desired rent. Enter rent above first.

Pre-move checklist

Get all offers in writing — email confirmation counts Take timestamped photos/video of entire apartment before moving in Read the full lease — not just where to sign Verify utilities (who pays what) Ask about pet policy, guest policy, subletting Check cell signal and internet options in the building Ask neighbors about noise, bugs, management response time Get renters insurance ($10–$20/mo protects everything)

Lease terms to verify

🏢 The basics

Correct names and datesLease has your legal name and correct start/end date

Monthly rent amount is correctMatches what was advertised / verbally agreed

Security deposit amount and return termsMust be returned within 14–30 days after move-out depending on state

Lease term (12 months, month-to-month?)Know whether it auto-renews and on what terms

Utilities & amenities

Who pays which utilitiesWater, electricity, gas, internet, trash — get it in writing

Parking included or extra cost?And where exactly is your spot

Laundry situationIn-unit, shared, coin-op? Additional cost?

Pet policy (even if no pets now)Future pet deposit, monthly fee, breed restrictions

🔧 Maintenance & repairs

Maintenance request processHow and when can you submit requests? Response time SLA?

Emergency contact for repairsWho do you call at 2am if the pipe bursts?

Landlord entry noticeMust give 24–48hr notice (varies by state) except for emergencies

🚪 Move-out rules

Notice required to not renewUsually 30–60 days. Missing this can cost you extra months

Early termination clauseFee to break lease early — usually 1–2 months rent

Normal wear & tear vs. damage definitionNail holes = normal. Broken appliances you caused = damage

Red flags — these are bad signs

⚠️ "As-is" clause with no inspectionLandlord refusing to document existing issues before you move in

⚠️ Verbal-only promises ("we'll fix X after you sign")If it's not in the lease, it won't happen. Get everything written.

⚠️ Security deposit larger than 1–2 months rentMost states cap security deposits. Above 2 months is unusual.

⚠️ Pressure to sign same dayLegitimate landlords give you time to read. "Someone else wants it" is a pressure tactic.

⚠️ Cash-only deposit, no receiptAlways get a receipt for any payment. Cash-only is a scam signal.

⚠️ Landlord unwilling to do walkthroughAlways do a walkthrough and document condition before paying anything.

⚠️ Lease waives your legal rightsSome clauses are unenforceable. If lease tries to waive habitability or security deposit law — illegal.

Renter —Toolkit

🏢 The basics

Utilities & amenities

🔧 Maintenance & repairs

🚪 Move-out rules

Red flags — these are bad signs

Renter —
Toolkit