To move out of your parents’ house, work out your real monthly cost of living on your own, save enough to cover move-in costs plus a few months of expenses, and practice living on that budget while still at home. Then decide whether roommates make sense, set a target month, and work backward with a timeline. Most people need several months of steady saving to do it comfortably.
Step 1: Figure out what living on your own costs
Do not guess. Look up real numbers for the area you want to live in.
- Rent for the kind of place you want (check several listings, not just one).
- Utilities: electricity, gas, water, trash and internet. Ask friends or landlords for typical monthly amounts.
- Renters insurance, phone, transportation, groceries and household supplies.
- Debt payments, subscriptions and anything you currently get for free at home (laundry, toiletries, meals).
Add it all up. That is your monthly cost of living. Many landlords also look at whether your income is a certain multiple of the rent, so check that with listings you like.
Step 2: Set your savings target
We are not going to give a single dollar figure, because it depends entirely on where you live. Use this method instead:
- Move-in costs: first month’s rent, security deposit, any application fees and the cost of moving itself.
- Setup costs: a bed, basic kitchen items, cleaning supplies and anything else on our first apartment checklist.
- Cushion: at least three months of your monthly cost of living, held in savings.
- Add the three together. That is your target.
Step 3: Practice the budget while you are still home
This is the most useful step and the one most people skip. Each month, move the full amount you would pay in rent and bills into a separate savings account. If you can do it for three months straight, the budget is realistic. If you cannot, adjust the plan before you sign a lease. Our guide to budgeting for young adults walks through setting up categories.
Step 4: Decide on roommates
Roommates can make an otherwise impossible move workable. They also add risk, so choose carefully.
- Talk about money first: rent split, bills, how shared costs get paid and when.
- Agree on cleaning, guests, quiet hours and shared food before moving in.
- Make sure every roommate is on the lease, so no one person is left responsible.
- Living with a close friend is not automatically easier. Habits matter more than friendship.
Step 5: Build your timeline
- Now: calculate your monthly cost and savings target. Start the practice budget.
- Several months out: keep saving, check your credit, and gather pay stubs and references.
- Two months out: start touring places and talking to possible roommates.
- One month out: sign the lease, set up utilities and internet, book the move.
- Move week: change your address, set up renters insurance and do a walk-through with photos.
Talk with your parents about the plan
Share your target date and what you are doing to get there. Many parents feel better when they can see a real plan, and some may agree to a temporary arrangement (such as paying a modest rent at home that goes toward your savings). If living at home has been tense, our guide on setting boundaries with parents may help in the meantime, and moving back home after college covers making the stay productive.
Where a mentor helps
Moving out is a money plan, a timeline and a lot of small tasks that are easy to put off. A mentor helps you build the budget, set weekly saving and search steps, and keeps you on track between sessions by text or phone. With your permission, a mentor can also share progress with your family. Learn more about mentoring for young adults and money and life skills mentoring.
Related
- First apartment checklist
- Budgeting for young adults
- Moving back home after college
- Adulting skills to learn
- Living Alone for the First Time: A Practical Guide
Common questions
How much should I save before moving out?
Add your move-in costs (first month, deposit, fees and moving), basic setup items, and at least three months of living expenses. The total depends on rent where you live, so calculate it from real listings.
How do I know if I can afford to move out?
Practice the budget at home first. If you can set aside your full projected rent and bills every month for three months, the budget is realistic.
Should I move out with roommates or alone?
Roommates lower costs and can make moving out possible sooner. Agree on money, chores and guests in writing first, and make sure everyone is on the lease.
How do I tell my parents I want to move out?
Share a concrete plan with a target date and your savings progress. A plan shows you have thought it through and usually makes the conversation easier.
Get started
Want help building a move-out plan you can stick to? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.