I know, it's outrageous... When we signed a lease on our place, we put up $4100 for security deposit, pet deposit and first and last months' rent. It's an outrageous amount of money for people who are just renting, but such is the rental market around here...
Some landlords will let you pay it in a couple of chunks. Have you asked them if you can do that? It might ease the burden just a little bit...