How much money do I need to move to Miami?
Work out the money you need to arrive and settle in: the rent move-in costs in your area, a few months of cushion until you get paid, a car and the paperwork. With official data and your own numbers.
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Housing
Home size
Do you have a U.S. credit history?
Without a credit history, many landlords ask for a larger deposit or months in advance. We add one more month.Cushion
Car
Will you need a car?
Arrival
How we calculate
We start from the area's typical rent according to Zillow (September 2026) and adjust it by number of bedrooms using the ratio between median rents by bedroom count in each county, according to the Census. Rent move-in costs add the first month and one month of deposit, or two if you have no credit history. The cushion covers the months you choose of everyday costs and utilities, plus the rent for those months except the first, which is already in move-in costs. Everyday costs are those of a Miami-area household according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, excluding housing and personal insurance and pensions, adjusted to your household size. They include average household transportation, vehicle purchases included, so if you choose to buy a car the estimate errs on the high side. For a car we add Florida sales tax of 6%, plus the 1% county surtax on the first $5,000, the $225 initial registration fee, the title fee, the plate and an estimate of annual registration, and the $48 driver license per person. Everything else is your numbers.
To prepare each step, read our guides to moving to Miami, renting without a credit history and getting a driver license, and work out how much you need to earn or the monthly cost of living.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to move to Miami?
It depends a lot on the area, the size of the home and whether you need a car. As a reference, one person renting a one-bedroom apartment, without a car and with a three-month cushion, usually needs between about $13,000 and $19,000 in most areas with a U.S. credit history, or $14,000 to $22,000 without one, not counting moving or furniture, and considerably more in Key Biscayne or Surfside. Use the calculator with your numbers.
How much do landlords ask for to move in?
Usually the first month and one month of deposit, plus the application fee. Without a U.S. credit history, many landlords ask for a larger deposit or months in advance. Florida has no legal cap on deposits.
What income do I need to rent?
Many landlords ask for income of about three times the monthly rent, although each sets its own rule. If you do not have a job here yet, they may accept proof of savings, a guarantor or co-signer, or months in advance.
How much does it cost to register a car in Florida?
If it is the first time you register a vehicle in Florida, there is a $225 initial registration fee, plus the title fee ($77.25 new, $85.25 used), the plate and the annual registration fee, which depends on weight. When you buy, you also pay sales tax: 6% in Florida, plus the county surtax.
How many months of savings should I bring?
It is prudent to have at least three months of expenses, and more if you are arriving without a job or your work permit may take time. The first months usually bring unexpected costs.
Sources: Zillow Observed Rent Index; Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024, table B25031; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, Miami area, 2023-2024; FLHSMV; Florida Department of Revenue, sales tax.
This calculator provides estimates for information only and is not financial advice. Real prices can vary a lot: get specific figures before deciding.