The one-time costs that land before and around a Memphis move-in, separated from your recurring monthly budget.
What to Budget Before Move-In
The one-time costs that arrive all at once — and why they are the ones that catch people.
Monthly budgets get planned. What catches people is the pile of one-time costs that land in the same fortnight as the move itself.
Separating the two is most of the solution. This covers the one-time side; recurring monthly costs are in our cost of living guide.
We do not publish dollar figures, because a number accurate for one household in one month is misleading for another. Get quotes for your own unit and use these as the categories.
The one-time categories
Due at signing
Typically a deposit and first month’s rent, plus any application fee. Confirm the exact amounts and the payment method before you commit.
Utility setup
Some accounts require a deposit or connection charge. Ask the utility what applies to you rather than assuming.
Renters insurance
Commonly required by the lease, and usually paid up front for a term.
Moving costs
Truck or movers, fuel, boxes and packing materials — plus time off work, which is a real cost.
The first restock
Staples, cleaning supplies and kitchen basics rarely travel. The first shop after a move is always bigger.
Furnishing gaps
If your furniture arrives later than you do, plan for the interim rather than improvising expensively.
Want accurate numbers for a specific unit? Ask us and we will quote what is current.
Where the pressure actually comes from
It is rarely any single line item. It is that the deposit, the moving truck, the utility setup and the first grocery run all happen within about ten days of each other, frequently before a new job’s first pay date has arrived.
Knowing when your first payment lands, relative to your move-in, is worth more than any budgeting spreadsheet. If the gap is awkward, plan for it deliberately rather than discovering it.
One-time cost checklist
- Amount due at signing, confirmed in writing
- Utility deposits or connection charges
- Renters insurance for the policy term
- Truck or movers, fuel and packing materials
- Time off work for the move
- First grocery and household restock
- A buffer for the unexpected in month one
Current ELM rentals
Our Memphis rentals include apartments in the Raleigh area of northeast Memphis. Availability changes frequently, so the listings page is the current source of truth.
Frequently asked questions
Why no dollar amounts?
Because they vary by unit, household and season. We would rather give you the categories and quote your specific apartment accurately.
When is the deposit due?
That depends on the property and the lease. Confirm the amount and timing before you commit to anything.
Can I move in before utilities are on?
You can, but it is unpleasant and sometimes unsafe in summer heat. Plan for service to be live first.
What do people most often forget?
Renters insurance, the first restock, and time off work for the move itself.
Related guides
- Memphis cost of living guide for renters
- Setting up utilities after moving to Memphis
- First 30 days after moving to Memphis
- Moving to Memphis: the full guide
Ask Lia
Lia is ELM Property Management’s leasing assistant. Ask us for current pricing on a specific unit rather than working from averages. Send your question through our contact page, email info@elmpropertymanagement.com, or call 901-350-5502, and a member of our team will follow up.
Building your moving budget?
Tell us which unit you are considering and we will give you accurate numbers.