Before you get the keys to a rental in the city of Denver, you will usually pay more than one month of rent. The median gross rent is $1,831 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey (Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25064), so first month’s rent plus a one month deposit at that level comes to $3,662, before application fees, moving costs, and utility setup.
This guide breaks down the move in costs you are likely to face, the deposit limits that apply, and a simple plan for saving the cash you need.
Quick answers
- Median gross rent: $1,831 a month (Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25064).
- First month plus a one month deposit: $3,662 at the median.
- Legal deposit cap: two months’ rent, or $3,662 at the median rent.
The deposit rules that apply
Colorado caps the security deposit at two months’ rent (C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5).
The refund is due within 30 days after the lease ends or you surrender the unit, whichever is later, or up to 60 days if the lease says so (C.R.S. § 38-12-103).
- A pet deposit is capped at $300 and must be refundable (C.R.S. § 38-12-106).
For a full explanation of deductions, deadlines, and penalties, see our deposit guide (Homzora, Denver security deposit law).
Move in cash at the median rent
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| First month’s rent | $1,831 |
| Security deposit, one month | $1,831 |
| Subtotal before other costs | $3,662 |
| Subtotal if the landlord charges the maximum deposit (two months) | $5,493 |
These figures assume the landlord collects first month’s rent and a deposit before move in. Some landlords also require last month’s rent up front; where that is allowed, add one more month of rent to the total. Ask each landlord for a written list of every amount due at signing.
Move in cash by apartment size
| Apartment size | Median gross rent | First month plus one month deposit | First month plus maximum deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,564 | $3,128 | $4,692 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,653 | $3,306 | $4,959 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,006 | $4,012 | $6,018 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,410 | $4,820 | $7,230 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,551 | $5,102 | $7,653 |
| 5 or more bedrooms | $2,591 | $5,182 | $7,773 |
Rents by size come from Census Table B25031 (Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25031). Where a size is missing, the Census Bureau did not publish an exact median for it.
Other costs to budget for
- Application and screening fees, charged per adult applicant by many landlords. Ask the amount before applying.
- Holding deposits to reserve a unit. Ask in writing whether it will be credited toward your deposit or rent if you sign.
- Pet deposits or fees, if you have a pet.
- Utility setup, including any deposits required by the electric, gas, water, or internet provider.
- Renter’s insurance, which many leases require before move in.
- Moving costs, including a truck or movers, packing supplies, and time off work.
- Furniture and household basics if this is your first apartment.
Asking every landlord for a written breakdown of all upfront charges, and comparing those totals rather than rent alone, is the most reliable way to compare listings.
A savings plan
If your target is $3,662, the first month plus a one month deposit at the median rent, this table shows how long it takes to save at different monthly amounts.
| Saved each month | Time to reach the goal |
|---|---|
| $200 | 19 months |
| $300 | 13 months |
| $500 | 8 months |
| $750 | 5 months |
| $1,000 | 4 months |
Keeping move in savings in a separate account makes it easier to see your progress and harder to spend the money on something else.
Ways to lower your move in costs
- Ask about deposit alternatives or installments. Some landlords allow the deposit to be paid over time.
- Look for move in specials, but compare the total cost of the lease, not just the first month.
- Choose your move date carefully. Moving mid month can mean paying prorated rent, which lowers the first payment.
- Get your full deposit back from your current landlord by documenting the unit and following the refund rules.
- Ask about assistance. Call 211 to ask about local help with deposits or first month’s rent (211.org).
Protect the deposit you pay
Before you hand over a deposit, get a signed lease, a written receipt, and a move in condition checklist or your own dated photos of every room. Those documents are what you will rely on to get the money back when you move out.
What gross rent includes
The Census figures in this guide measure gross rent: contract rent plus the estimated average monthly cost of utilities and fuels when the renter pays them (U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts definition of gross rent). An advertised rent that excludes utilities can therefore look lower than these medians while costing about the same once bills arrive.
Who rents here
About 171,900 of the area’s 335,400 occupied homes, or 51.2 percent, are rented (Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25003). The median renter household earns $71,437 a year (Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25119), so $3,662 in move in cash equals about 2.7 weeks of that household’s gross income.
Comparing a move in special
Suppose one landlord offers a 12 month lease at $1,831 a month with the first month free, and another charges $1,678 a month with no special. Over 12 months, the first costs $20,141 and the second about $20,136, nearly the same. The special lowers your move in cash, but at renewal the first unit’s rent starts from the higher base. Always compare the total cost of the lease and ask how renewal pricing will be set.
Avoid rental scams
The Federal Trade Commission warns renters to watch for pressure to decide fast, rent that is far below the area’s typical rent, excuses for not showing the property, requests for a deposit or fee before you have seen the home, and demands for payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, which it says is the same as sending cash (Federal Trade Commission, Rental Listing Scams). Pay move in costs only after you have seen the unit, verified who owns it, and signed a lease.
A move in timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Two to three months ahead | Set a move in savings goal and start a separate savings account. |
| Six to eight weeks ahead | Tour homes and ask each landlord for a written list of upfront charges. |
| Four weeks ahead | Apply, sign the lease, and get receipts for every payment. |
| Two weeks ahead | Schedule utilities, renter’s insurance, and movers. |
| Move in day | Complete the condition checklist and photograph every room. |
Questions to ask before you pay
- What is the total amount due at signing, item by item?
- Which charges are refundable, and under what conditions?
- Can the deposit be paid in installments?
- Which utilities are included, and which must I set up?
- Is renter’s insurance required, and what coverage is required?
About the data
Rent figures are 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey 5 year estimates published in the Homzora Denver data library, in 2024 inflation adjusted dollars. Gross rent includes contract rent plus estimated utilities paid by the renter, and current asking rents for newly listed units are often higher than these long term medians. Legal rules are summarized from the sources cited and are not legal advice.
Setting up utilities
Call each provider two to three weeks before your move in date. Ask whether a deposit is required, whether it can be waived with a letter of good payment history from your previous provider, and when service can start. Schedule electricity and water to begin on your move in day so you are not without service, and confirm which utilities the landlord keeps in its own name.
Renter’s insurance basics
Renter’s insurance covers your belongings and your personal liability; the landlord’s policy generally covers the building, not your things. If your lease requires a policy, ask what minimum liability coverage the landlord requires and whether it must be named as an interested party. Getting quotes before you sign lets you include the premium in your move in budget.
Getting your current deposit back
If you are leaving another rental, your current deposit can fund much of your next move. Give proper notice, clean thoroughly, repair anything you damaged, photograph every room after it is empty, return all keys, and give your forwarding address in writing. Then track the refund deadline that applies where you live now.
Moving day tips
- Confirm the time you can pick up keys and whether the building requires a reserved elevator or loading area.
- Walk through the unit before furniture arrives and note any existing damage.
- Test smoke detectors, locks, faucets, and appliances, and report problems in writing.
- Keep receipts for every move in payment in one folder.
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Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to move into an apartment in Denver?
At the median gross rent of $1,831, first month’s rent plus a one month deposit totals $3,662, before other costs (Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25064).
Is there a limit on security deposits?
Colorado caps the security deposit at two months’ rent (C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5).
When do I get my deposit back?
The refund is due within 30 days after the lease ends or you surrender the unit, whichever is later, or up to 60 days if the lease says so (C.R.S. § 38-12-103).
Sources
- Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25064
- C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5
- C.R.S. § 38-12-103
- C.R.S. § 38-12-106
- Homzora, Denver security deposit law
- Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25031
- 211.org
- U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts definition of gross rent
- Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25003
- Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25119
- Federal Trade Commission, Rental Listing Scams
- Homzora Denver data library