Moving Out for the First Time? Here’s How Much Money You Will Need

1. The Real Cost of Moving Out for the First Time 

Moving out for the first time? You probably are so excited as it is the start of self-reliance and accelerated personal growth but this transition requires your understanding of all financial commitments you must take on during this period. Financial preparation before and at the start of this move will provide you with both an easy transition, and the basis for maintaining a stable life.

I still remember the first time I moved out with 19 years old… what a financial mess! With this guide you won’t have these problems anymore, If you keep reading you’ll learn how much money need to save for rents, household items, monthly expenses and the rest of the costs associated with moving out for the first time!

And if you’re moving soon and want to avoid unpleasant surprises, read now about the worst suburbs in Melbourne.

Common expenses for first-time movers

First-time movers who create funds for moving expenses ahead of time will have an easier transition and build strong financial stability in their new house.

Expense Category	Details	Estimated Cost (AUD)
Upfront Rental Costs	Bond: The security deposit established as bond usually amounts to four weeks’ rent. Advance Rent: The renter must make a two-week advance payment for the first instalment of rent. Application Fees: During the application there might be potential fees for specific services.	Varies based on rent; for example, if weekly rent is $500, bond would be $2,000. Two weeks’ rent; e.g., $1,000 if weekly rent is $500. Approximately $100–$200, if applicable.
Utility Connections	Electricity, Gas, Water: Connection fees along with initial setup expenses apply to electricity, gas and water networks. Internet and Phone: Installation and setup fees.	Each service requires connection fees between $50 and $100. Service providers charge different installation costs which range from completely free to $100.
Moving Services	Moving fees: Costs of professional moving services. Packing Supplies: The costs for packing supplies which include boxes and tape and related materials fall under this category.	The rates start at $190 per hour yet the final costs depend on how far the delivery goes and the delivery volume. The cost varies between $100–$300 according to material quantity and quality selection.
Furniture and home essentials	Furniture: The necessary furniture includes bed together with sofa and dining table. Appliances: Microwave, kettle and toaster. Homewares: The homewares category includes bedding as well as kitchen utensils combined with cleaning supplies.	Basic furnishing can cost between $3,000–$5,000. Different brands and qualities affect the price range from $500 to $2,000. Initial setup may cost around $500–$1,000.
Ongoing Living Expenses	Food: Periodic purchases of food for the home. Transportation:Transportation costs include both public transport fares together with expenses for owning a car. Insurance: Content insurance of belongings. Utilities: (electricity, water, gas, internet and phone)	Approximately $400–$600 per month Public Transport: Around $150–$200 per month.Car Owners: Fuel, insurance, and maintenance totalling $300–$500 per month. Renters insurance averages $20–$30 per month.Costs are dependent on use, you will see what these bills amount to monthly
Unexpected Costs	Emergency Repairs Medical Expenses Lifestyle Adjustments	It is advisable to maintain an emergency fund that covers your expenses for three months. The expense level varies but health insurance coverage can help manage costs. The recommended budget for leisure activities in Australia amounts to $200–$400 monthly.

Note: These estimates reflect approximate figures subject to changes that depend on individual factors, plus location in Australia, and personal preference selection. Your personal research will lead to a specific budget that can be developed for your particular circumstances.

The Cost of Renting

Australian residents who move out into their first rental accommodation need to understand both rental expenses and the various start-up costs to build a successful financial plan. 

The following section provides detailed information about standard rental payments across Australia’s major cities as well as essential costs and hidden expenses.

Weekly rental in major Australian cities

Different Australian major cities have substantially varied rental price rates. The table below presents data on median (average) weekly rental rates for the cities in Australia:

City	Median Weekly Rent (AUD)
Sydney	$730
Melbourne	$550
Brisbane	$590
Perth	$570

Note: The data provided represents approximate values since property type, location and market demand affect these numbers. Source: Domain.

Professionals vs. DIY Moving Prices

Moving to a new place in Australia poses a vital question: Should you use professional removalists (like us at North Removals in Melbourne!) or handle the relocation independently?

The two moving options incur various expenses, along with specific advantages and specific points to consider.

Cost Comparison

There are several standard costs for professional moving services and self-organised DIY moves, as explained below:

Expense Category	Professional Removalist (AUD)	DIY Move (AUD)
Service Fees	Labor Charges: Professional removal services calculate their labour costs based on distance travelled and load volume, together with operational difficulty. Service rates can differ since some providers charge their clients $190 per hour for two moving personnel and $770 for a 2 bedroom apartment.	Truck Rental: Renting a truck is a common choice for DIY moves. Approximately $71 per day
Additional Costs	Packing Services: Several removalists provide packing services to save time while properly securing items during packing. North Removals in Melbourne provides complete packing and moving solutions for customers.  Insurance: Potential damages throughout transportation can be covered by insurance policies.	Fuel: Customers need to account for the moving truck fuel expenses that depend on both travel distance and current fuel costs. Moving supplies: Boxes, blankets and packing supplies. Insurance: An optional coverage for the rental truck and its belongings.
Time & Effort	Efficiency: The use of professional moving teams leads to faster completion times because they perform all the heavy tasks during loading and unloading processes. Convenience: The service provides both physical relief and mental stress reduction for people moving their belongings.	Labour: Personal effort plays a vital role in carrying out this task because it includes activities such as packing and loading as well as driving and unloading. You will need to find at least one other person to help! Time: When you complete house moves yourself you will need substantial amounts of time especially if your household is large.
Risks	Damage: Professionals who receive training handle items with caution which minimises damage occurrence. Liability: Insurance provides coverage for possible damages which falls under the category of liability protection.	Damage: The absence of professional experience leads to higher chances of damaging items because of improper packing and handling procedures. Accidents: During heavy lifting sessions and while driving large vehicles there exists the possibility of sustaining personal injuries.

Affordable Moving Options at North Removals

First-time movers will find cost-effective moving solutions to be a smart way to save money on their first move. At North Removals we offer budget-friendly options, such as Way Cheaper Wednesdays, where customers can access discounted moving rates if they book on Wednesdays and our Man with a Van service, which provides a truck and a mover for just $120 per hour—an ideal choice for those willing to assist with their move!

Setting Up Utilities

The establishment of utility services is an essential requirement in your new dwelling. Learning about both connection fees and monthly utility costs will help you develop a suitable budget.

What are the estimated monthly utilities and bills?

The following table provides information about standard connection fees along with estimated monthly utility expenses for residents of Australia. 

Utility	Connection Fees (AUD)
Electricity Telephone	Connection fees vary by state and distributor. For example, in Victoria, fees are around $44, while in South Australia, they are approximately $61. Monthly expenses for phone usage and service provider fees range from $40 to $75.
Gas	Different providers and locations charge between $7 and $63 for connection fees. The monthly gas bill costs between $50 and $100 although it depends on usage patterns and selected provider.
Water	The fees for connecting water services are already part of property rental rates for tenants. The amount people pay for water each month ranges from $50 to $100 based on their water consumption and location of residence.
Internet	The cost for connection fees fluctuates between providers and plans, from zero dollars to $200. Internet costs between $60 to $100 per month depending on the selected data plan, speed, and usage.

Pro Tip: To find the best energy deals, use official comparison websites like Energy Made Easy, a free Australian Government service for comparing electricity and gas plans, or Victorian Energy Compare for electricity, gas, and solar options in Victoria. Additionally, platforms like Compare the Market and iSelect help customers review and choose energy plans from various providers.

Furniture & Household Essentials: How Much Should You Budget?

Planning your budget carefully when furnishing your first apartment allows you to buy essential items at reasonable prices. A breakdown of essential furniture and household goods follows including price estimates for both brand-new and used items is presented below. 

Essential Furniture Items and Estimated Costs

Item	New Price Range (AUD)	Second-Hand Price Range (AUD)
Bed frame and mattress	$500 – $1,500	$100 – $500
Sofa	$400 – $1,200	$50 – $300
Dining table and chairs	$300 – $800	$100 – $400
Coffee table	$50 – $200	$20 – $100
Wardrobe/Chest of drawers	$200 – $600	$50 – $250
TV stand	$100 – $300	$30 – $150
Desk and chair	$150 – $500	$50 – $200

Note: The prices present here serve as estimates which might fluctuate according to brand selection and product quality and geographical location. Source: Ikea

Check our first apartment checklist for a full list of items needed when moving in for first time!

Total Estimated Budget

The total cost for essential furnishings for a one-bedroom apartment amounts to:

• New items: $3,000 – $6,000
• Second-hand items: $1,000 – $3,000

Pro Tip: We recommend checking our guides on where to donate furniture in Melbourne, donate books, and donate clothes, as they list many places where you can find second-hand items and start your new life at home without spending a fortune.

Food and Daily Expenses

Knowing the cost of weekly groceries and daily needs helps Australians create successful budgets in the major cities. This overview includes projections for weekly grocery costs and a dining-out versus home-cooking analysis, and meals planning tools for budgeting purposes.

Estimated Weekly Grocery Budget in Major Australian Cities

The amount spent on groceries depends on where people live as well as the number of household members and their personal food choices. Australian households spend an average of $168 each week on their food purchases according to the Canstar Blue survey.

City	Estimated Weekly Grocery Cost (AUD)
Melbourne	$170 – $180
Sydney	$175 – $185
Perth	$165 – $175
Brisbane	$170 – $180

Note: The data presented here serves as an approximation because individual shopping behaviours and market value changes affect the numbers. Source: Woolworths.

The Price Comparison Between Preparing Meals at Home and Dining Out

Cooking food at home proves less expensive than restaurant dining. The Guardian in 2024 published a financial analysis which showed that food preparation at home is significantly less expensive than restaurant dining, especially when batch cooking is practised.

These are the average meal expenses according to statistics:

City	Average cost per meal at home	Average cost of eating out
Melbourne	$5 – $10	$15 – $25
Sydney	$5 – $10	$15 – $30
Perth	$5 – $10	$15 – $25
Brisbane	$5 – $10	$15 – $25

Costs of public transportation versus owning a car 

Your budget is considerably affected by transportation expenses. In major Australian cities the typical weekly costs of public transportation and personal car ownership appear as follows:

Weekly transportation costs (AUD)

City	Public Transport	Car Ownership
Melbourne	$53	$526.12
Sydney	$50	$565.75
Perth	$45.90	$474.78
Brisbane	$59.67	$445.32

The expense of using public transportation remains more affordable than owning a car since that includes fuel, maintenance expenses, insurance and associated costs (registration, licensing).

Lifestyle Costs

Monthly expenses to support your lifestyle vary because they depend on multiple personal choices together with residential location. The typical expenditure for lifestyle services follows the following pattern each month:

Average lifestyle costs (AUD)

Service	Average Monthly Cost
Gym Membership	$60 – $100
Streaming Services	$20 – $50
Entertainment	Varies widely

Pro Tip: If you still don’t know if moving to Melbourne or Sydney, check our full guide where we compare the cost of living between them two!

Wrapping Up: The Real Cost of Moving Out for the First Time

Now that we’ve exposed all the date, sources and information let’s summarise and calculate the total amount of money to move out for the first time in Australia!

Upfront Costs (One-Time Expenses)

These are one-time expenses that must be covered before or during the move:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost (AUD)
Upfront Rental Costs	$3,100 – $3,200 (if rent is $500 per week)
Utility Connections	$200 – $400
Moving Services	$100 – $600
Packing Supplies	$100 – $300
Furniture & Appliances	$3,000 – $5,000 (new) or $1,000 – $3,000 (second-hand)

Total Upfront Costs:

Minimum: ~$4,500 – $5,500 (with second-hand furniture and DIY moving)
Maximum: ~$7,500 – $9,500 (with new furniture and professional movers)

Ongoing Monthly Living Expenses

These are costs you will need to cover after moving in:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost per Month (AUD)
Rent	$2,000 (assuming $500 per week)
Food	$400 – $600
Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water, Internet, Phone)	$200 – $400
Transport (Public transport or car expenses)	$150 – $500
Insurance (Contents insurance)	$20 – $30
Lifestyle & Leisure (Gym, entertainment, subscriptions)	$200 – $400
Emergency Fund Contribution	Ideally, 3 months of living costs saved

First Month’s Living Expenses:

Minimum: ~$3,000 – $3,500
Maximum: ~$4,500 – $6,000

Pro tip: Try to save some money for an emergency found that count at least 3 months of expenses in case that something happens.

Final Calculation

Bare minimum needed to move out (with second-hand items and DIY moving, no emergency fund): $7,500 – $9,000

Ideal amount (with some new items, professional movers, and a 3-month emergency fund): $16,500 – $21,500

If you want a comfortable and stress-free transition, having at least $15,000 – $20,000 saved is highly recommended before moving out for the first time!

Thanks for reading and if you are moving soon check the rest of our Moving Tips 🙂