Housing Information
Housing Costs
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- Housing Costs
Housing Costs
Average monthly cost of housing really depends on location, the type of housing, and what is included (furniture, utilities, etc.). Review our cost of living & budgeting guide to help plan for your housing costs. Typical expenses to consider are listed below.
Security Deposit, Fees, & Initial Rent Payments
A security deposit (equal to one month’s rent or more) as well as the first and sometimes the last month’s rent are due when you sign your lease. Don’t forget to also consider any brokerage or application fees that may be required during your housing search.
Utilities, Cable, and Internet
Find out which utilities (heat, electricity, water, cooking gas, cable, internet, etc.) you are responsible for paying, as it will vary from apartment to apartment. You can get a list of local utility and cable companies from your landlord.
Cable, internet, and phone services can often be purchased together from one company. Assess what is most important to have at home before buying a monthly package, as they can be expensive. Ask your colleagues what is typical for your host city in terms of securing utilities.
Furniture
You will be able to find both furnished and unfurnished housing options in the U.S. A furnished room or apartment will often be more expensive, but it can also help to reduce the costs of purchasing furniture and apartment necessities after you arrive.
If you need to furnish your apartment, you can find inexpensive furniture and kitchen supplies at places like Target, IKEA, Walmart, and Home Goods.
