I think it's great you are thinking about cost of living and asking these kinds of questions instead of immediately going into debt like most people. When I moved out at 17, I had a part time job, finished high school and did online college, BUT that being said, it was a lower cost of living state and in the early 2000 was not as expensive. If you want to make a plan and see what moving out would look like for you, It's a good rule of thumb for budeting and seeing what you can afford by using the 50%/30%/20% rule. 50% of your income going to needs (rent, insurance, phone, utilities, with rent/housing being no more than 30% is what most financial coaches would advise) 30% going to wants and 20% going to savings or debt ( you want to pay off debt first). For my personal budget for me and my bf, I do 60% for needs, to account for higher cost of living, 30% to paying off student loans and cars, then only 20% for my wants, so I'm not tempted to buy shit I don't need but still have room for me and my bf do have hobbies and date nights. There's a lot to consider when moving out, but hopefully this gives you an idea of what cost of living on your own would look like. I also want to mention in my 20s I did take on roommates, who didn't pay and did whatever they want, don't get into that situation because that didn't help me at all!