This is a question that plagues many a young person. Moving out is probably the most difficult thing to do for a high school or college grad. It is the first step in being truly independent, but can come with many pitfalls and responsibilities. If you are one of the lucky few who have no financial restraints, then this step is rather easy, but for the majority of young people, this is not the case. If you are going to college and don't have a full scholarship that includes room and board, or you don't have the funds for room and board, the best thing is to live at home, get a part-time job, and study! If you can afford room and board at the college you are attending, then the choice is yours, but think through it carefully and listen to what your parents have to say about the subject. While you may be itching to get out there and "do your own thing", that day will come soon enough.

Explore this site and decide for yourself the best time to begin this daunting step in your journey towards true adulthood.

Getting into a place of your own is expensive! For renting, you will need the application processing fee (a really stupid fee they charge because they can), the security deposit, first month's rent and sometimes you also need last month's rent, electricity deposit and connection fee, gas deposit and connection fee(if not all electric), cable, phone, and internet connection fee (though this isn't necessarily needed, but good to have), and pet deposit if you are bringing a pet along.
Also, some places have added a redecoration fee, which is so bogus, but if you want to rent there, you have to pay it.

This all adds up to an incredible amount, depending on the cost of the place you're renting. Well over $1,000 for even the low cost places for rent.

This depends on where you live. The average apartment in New York City will be much more than the average in Small Town, USA. In the end though, it pretty much evens up since the average pay and opportunity in New York City is greater than that in Small Town, USA. So I will give you my hometown in 2008, which is pretty much relative to any town.

Average monthly rent
One bedroom: $550
Two bedroom: $650
Trailer rental:$350 plus $100 lot rent=$450

Only about 5% of the apartments out there cover electricity. Therefore, odds are, you will have an electric bill and maybe even a gas bill if your apartment/trailer has gas heat, stove and or gas water heater.

Average electric bill for one person. Add $10-$15 for each additional person:
One bedroom: $50-$70
Two bedroom: $70-$90
Trailer: $80-$200 (depends on quality of trailer)

Electric bills fluctuate with the seasons. Cold winters and hot summers equal higher bills.

Most apartments include water, sanitation, general yard-work and maintenance. Rental in a trailer park sometimes cover only sanitation and general maintenance. However, a water bill is fairly inexpensive and if you have a good lawnmower, then you'll be okay.

Yeah, you know you have to eat and you will save a lot of money if you buy groceries and eat at home. Eating out adds up big time. The average person with the average diet eats about $50 worth of groceries per week. If you are a thrifty shopper, you can easily get by on $30-$35 per week. If you need a special diet the cost goes up.

You will need these things too. You will spend on average $10 a week for these. More, if you are female, and even more if buy high-end items. Some high-end items are more frugal than the cheaper ones in the long run, but this, as many things in life, comes through trial and error, or advice from your family and friends.

So what is the average cost of maintaining a household? Going the least expensive route...

One bedroom all electric apartment: $550
Electricity: $60
Water, sanitation, maintenance etc: included in rent
Groceries: $120
Supplies: $40
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Total: $770

Almost all apartment complexes require a credit check and financial statements before approving your move-in. The application fee is non-refundable, so you can't have bad credit and have to meet their minimum monthly pay requirements. Many require your monthly pay be at least three times the apartment rent. Most trailer parks or privately owned rented trailers do not require as much documentation or move-in expense. So lets see what it would cost to live in a trailer...

Average all-electric trailer rent with lot: $450
Electricity: $80 (hopefully)
Water:$10
Groceries:$120
Supplies:$40
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Total: $700

Getting a roommate to share in the household expenses will definately help out with your finances, but you have to be very careful. Many friendships have been destroyed over roommate situations. You have to be certain you can get along with your roommate. Your roommate can be your best friend or even your boy/girl friend, but living and sharing the responsibilities of maintaining a household can put a strain on anyones friendship. You must be equally mature and responsible. you must set down the ground rules and both agree to these rules to the letter. What you gain financially, you lose in privacy. Moving out of your family's home doesn't mean you have no more rules to follow, just a different set of rules answering to a different number of people. Realize also, that your utility bills will rise a bit with two of you instead of one.

Just when you thought you could afford a place of your own, along comes the essential non-essentials!
These days, we pretty much need a phone, and it definitely helps to have internet, but it isn't entirely necessary, and cable is a luxury to most of those starting out, but we'll include it just for the sake of argument!

If you want all three, your local phone or internet company will have a 'bundle' which is usually less expensive than getting each individually. Average cost for a cable, high speed internet, and digital phone bundle is $135 per month. So you may want to add that to your monthly budget. Of course, if you have cell phone and don't need a landline, you can get bundles with only cable and internet for $80 on average.

You probably already have a cell phone, and if you don't you may be tempted to get one. The costs of cell phones differ so much that if you have one, you already know how much it costs you, so add that to your budget. If you don't have a cell phone, ask your friends how much they pay!

You definately need a job if you're going to be independent. The average fast food salary is $7.00 per hour. Multiply that by 20 hours for part time and 40 hours for full time, and you get $560 gross pay for part time and $1120 gross pay for full time. Now deduct about 12% , and this will give you $986 for full time net pay and $493 for part time. Of course, this is on average and the tax deduction varies with each person and each state.
Basically:
40 hours @ $7.00 per hour = $986 net pay per month
20 hours @ $7.00 per hour = $493 net pay per month

Now, that being said, the average salary for a "regular, non fast-food" job, is $9.00 per hour. So lets use that senario:
40 hours @ $9.00 per hour = $1268 net pay per month
20 hours @ $9.00 per hour = $634 net pay per month

Looks much better now doesn't it?

A full time job at $9.00 per hour is about $1268 net pay per month. A one bedroom apartment averages $770.00 a month. To afford to move out on your own without a roommate, you must have a full time job and KEEP IT!

$1268-$770= $498.00 extra
Subtract cable and internet @ $80.00= $410.00

You have $410 left a month for car insurance and gasoline if you own a car. After that, you will probably have about $210 left for incendentals.
This is a do-able situation if you have the dicipline for it. $210 may sound like a lot of money, but it really isn't, especially if you get sick and miss work or if you go on a spending spree, eat out several times a week, want to go to the movies etc. These things are expensive, and being sick is not cheap if you have no medical insurance! But I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying that if you don't just HAVE to get out your parents house, it may be best to stay there and get a job, save some money, learn budgeting and responsibility by paying 'rent' to your folks, and start your journey with a bit more experience under your belt.

If you own a reliable car, great, because unless you live in a city with a good transit system, you'll need it to get and keep a job. If you don't have one and don't live in a city with a good transit system, then some deals have to be made with either your parents or friends.
Your parents may volunteer to drive you back and forth or let you drive yourself, which is awesome, so don't let them down by blowing your money and not saving up for your own transportation. Perhaps you could fill up the gas tank every week or offer to wash the car every week. Be responsible!
With friends, it is good to get a job at the same place and get a ride with them to and from work. Once again, be responsible and pay your way! Your friends will lose patience with you a lot faster than your parents will and they will leave you behind if you don't do your part. Save as much as you possibly can and get your own car! Don't go for the expensive sports car if you can't afford it, your insurance will be through the roof! Be practical, be responsible, and realize you are just starting out, so you don't need a Porsche!

One good piece of advice is to take a knowledgeable male relative with you when you go looking for a used car. Some car dealerships will try to take advantage of those they deem inexperienced, and an older male relative or friend will probably discourage that behavior. Make sure you ask for a carfax report, and you have a good mechanic check the car out if it is no longer under factory warranty.

Well, yes you can, but unless you've been solely responsible for an animal and it's care, you may not know what you're in for. First of all, it limits your choices as far as apartment living and such. Not all places allow pets, and if they do, the pet deposit can be anywhere from $100 to $300 dollars, and is usually not refundable. Pets can be destructive also! Remember, your pet may have run of the house when you're out. You will be responsible for ALL damages, which can be pricey. You also have vet bills and food bills for your pet. This may sound silly, but start with a fish. It's easy to care for, and then move up from there. Now, if you are a young person who feels the need for security and you don't feel safe home alone, a dog does help to make you feel more protected, and you probably are. Just realize that he needs you as much as you need him. Be prepared to take care of him and for things to get a bit more expensive.

The same goes for a cat. Cats are great if you need a bit of company and hate coming home to an empty house. Cats are also easier to care for generally, and they do better when left home alone. However, as with a dog, don't get a cute kitten and then ignore it when it grows up! Remember, YOU got the pet, the pet didn't go out and get you. If you aren't prepared to provide love, attention, and care...don't bring it home.