First Month + Last Month Rent Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
- 1
Enter Monthly Rent and Security Deposit
Use the monthly rent stated in your lease and the deposit amount the landlord requires.
- 2
Choose whether to include last month's rent and the security deposit
Set each option to Yes or No to match the lease. A deposit is counted only when Include Security Deposit? is set to Yes.
- 3
Review your move-in costs
The results separate prepaid rent from the deposit and show the move-in burden as a percentage of one month's rent.
Example Calculation
A renter moves into an apartment with $1,800 monthly rent, pays a $1,800 security deposit, and must pay both the first and last month's rent upfront.
Monthly Rent ($)
1,800
Security Deposit ($)
1,800
Include Last Month's Rent?
Yes
Include Security Deposit?
Yes
Results
Total Move-In Cost
$5,400.00
Rent Paid Upfront
$3,600.00
Security Deposit
$1,800.00
Months Pre-Paid
2
Move-In Burden
300.0% of monthly rent
Rent-Free Offset
1 month at end
Insights card shows the prepaid rent, deposit, move-in burden, and rent-free offset.
Tips
Removing the deposit lowers this move-in total by $1,800
Change Include Security Deposit? to No to see the effect of a lease with no deposit. The result excludes the deposit from the total; it does not determine whether the landlord can require one.
Removing last month's rent cuts upfront rent by one month
Change Include Last Month's Rent? to No to compare a lease that collects only the first month's rent at move-in.
A deposit equal to one month's rent makes the total 300% of rent when first and last are also due
Enter a different Security Deposit ($) to see how a smaller or larger deposit changes the move-in burden.
What this calculator estimates
This calculator estimates the cash due at move-in for the first month's rent, optional last month's rent, and optional security deposit. It separates refundable deposit money from rent paid in advance; it does not include fees, utilities, or moving expenses.
How the move-in cost is calculated
Total move-in cost = first month's rent + last month's rent + security deposit
Move-in burden = total move-in cost / monthly rent × 100
The first month's rent is always included. Last month's rent and the deposit are included only when their options are set to Yes. With the example inputs, the total is $1,800 + $1,800 + $1,800 = $5,400. Rent paid upfront is $1,800 + $1,800 = $3,600, and the move-in burden is $5,400 / $1,800 × 100 = 300%.
The rent-free offset is a timing measure: when last month's rent is prepaid, the calculator shows one month covered at the end of the lease. It does not mean the renter can stop paying earlier.
How lease terms change the total
The deposit and last month's rent affect move-in cash differently. A deposit may be refundable under the lease and local law; prepaid rent is applied to a rental month. Compare the options for the same $1,800 rent:
| Last month's rent | Security deposit | Move-in cost | Rent paid upfront |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | $1,800 | $5,400 | $3,600 |
| No | $1,800 | $3,600 | $1,800 |
| Yes | $0 | $3,600 | $3,600 |
Before signing, check which payments are refundable, what rental period any prepaid amount covers, and the deadlines for returning a deposit. Use the rent affordability calculator to compare ongoing rent with your budget, and the effective rent calculator to account for concessions such as free rent.
When to use a different calculator
- Check whether rent fits your income and budget → rent affordability calculator
- Compare rent after a lease concession or free-rent period → effective rent calculator
- Estimate how a rent change affects your payment → rent increase calculator
- Compare renting with the cost of owning → price-to-rent ratio calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
What is first and last month's rent?
It is rent collected at move-in for the first rental month and the final rental month. Paying the last month upfront is prepaid rent, not a security deposit; the lease should state how the payment is applied.
Is the security deposit included in rent paid upfront?
No, the calculator separates the security deposit from prepaid rent. A security deposit is generally held to cover lease obligations or damage, while prepaid rent is credited to a rental period. Deposit rules vary by location; the HUD tenant rights resource can help you find local guidance.
Does paying last month's rent mean I can skip my final rent payment?
It covers the final rental month only if the landlord applies it as the lease specifies. Confirm the dates and payment terms in writing; it does not usually cover fees, damages, or other amounts owed.
Does this calculator include application fees or moving costs?
No, it totals only first month's rent, optional last month's rent, and the optional security deposit. Add separate amounts for application fees, utility deposits, moving costs, and any other lease charges when planning your cash needs.
Can a landlord require both last month's rent and a security deposit?
The answer depends on local law and the lease. This calculator totals both when you select Yes, but it does not check legal limits or determine whether a charge is refundable.