Security Deposit Calculator
Add up the cash a move-in often requires: first month, deposit, last month if it is due now, and a pet deposit.
Use it when a listing quotes rent and a deposit in months, and you need cash due at move-in.
Compare scenarios
How we calculated this
Move-in cash is the first month of rent, plus the deposit, plus last month’s rent if you said it is due now, plus any pet deposit.
What does this mean?
Plan on $3,600.00 before you get the keys. Local caps can limit the deposit even if a listing asks for more.
Your assumptions
Edit assumptions- Monthly rent
- $1,800.00
- Deposit
- 1 month
- Last month due now
- No
Deposit limits depend on state and city law. This page adds the amounts you enter. It does not say what a landlord is allowed to charge.
Embed
Paste this iframe to show the calculator on another page. Taller results scroll inside the frame.
<iframe src="https://myhousingiq.com/embed/security-deposit-calculator" title="Security Deposit Calculator" width="100%" height="900" style="border:0;max-width:1080px;"></iframe>
How the estimate is calculated
The deposit is monthly rent times the number of months you enter.
Last month’s rent is added only when you mark it due now.
Move-in total
Cash due equals first month’s rent plus the deposit plus last month’s rent if selected plus the pet deposit.
Example
- Enter the rent on the lease.
- Set the deposit in months of rent.
- Add a pet deposit only if one is charged.
With the numbers filled in on this page, the estimate is $3,600.00.
What changes the result
Local caps
Some places limit deposits to one month of rent or another fixed amount.
Fees versus deposits
A nonrefundable pet fee is not the same as a deposit. This field treats the pet amount as part of cash due, not as a legal category.
Refunds
The deposit may come back at move-out. It is still cash you need on day one.
Questions
Is the deposit always one month?
No. Listings differ, and some laws cap it. Enter the months the listing asks for.
Should I include the application fee?
Not here. Add small fees outside this total if you want a full checklist.
Does this say the deposit is legal?
No. It only does the arithmetic.