US rent guide
How Much Each Extra Bedroom Costs, by State (July 2026)
Data as of Jun 9, 2026 · studio→3-bed medians across 30 states
How much does the next bedroom actually cost? We took the real median rent for studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms in every state and lined them up. The ladder isn’t what most people expect, the first “upgrade” is often free or even cheaper, and the steps get steeper as you go up.
Studio
$1,460
1 bedroom
$1,375
2 bedroom
$1,580
3 bedroom
$2,181
Notice the first rung: nationally a studio ($1,460) actually costs about $85 more than a one-bedroom ($1,375). From there the real money is in the next two steps: roughly $205 more for a two-bed and another $601 for a three-bed. If you can use the extra room, the one-to-two-bed jump is usually the best value on the ladder.
The rent ladder, by state
Median rent at each size in each state, sorted by the one-bedroom (the most common unit), cheapest first. States need at least ten listings of every size to appear. Tap a state for its current listings.
| State | Studio | 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $1,040 | $1,000 | $1,100 | $1,504 |
| Louisiana | $1,119 | $1,055 | $1,278 | $1,676 |
| Indiana | $1,034 | $1,099 | $1,212 | $1,595 |
| Missouri | $996 | $1,099 | $1,178 | $1,580 |
| Texas | $1,199 | $1,110 | $1,175 | $1,899 |
| Ohio | $987 | $1,160 | $1,363 | $1,555 |
| Michigan | $1,180 | $1,220 | $1,475 | $1,725 |
| North Carolina | $1,297 | $1,247 | $1,297 | $1,999 |
| Tennessee | $1,417 | $1,260 | $1,300 | $1,625 |
| Arizona | $1,100 | $1,291 | $1,417 | $1,705 |
| Georgia | $1,410 | $1,293 | $1,349 | $1,903 |
| Wisconsin | $1,295 | $1,295 | $1,335 | $1,675 |
| Nevada | $1,277 | $1,308 | $1,500 | $2,250 |
| Utah | $1,205 | $1,336 | $1,400 | $1,848 |
| South Carolina | $1,510 | $1,337 | $1,475 | $1,732 |
| Minnesota | $1,324 | $1,381 | $1,453 | $1,920 |
| Colorado | $1,336 | $1,425 | $1,638 | $2,514 |
| Oregon | $1,301 | $1,435 | $1,595 | $2,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,352 | $1,500 | $1,600 | $1,870 |
| Florida | $1,475 | $1,539 | $1,653 | $2,050 |
| Virginia | $1,663 | $1,600 | $1,420 | $2,199 |
| Maryland | $1,451 | $1,600 | $1,743 | $2,345 |
| Illinois | $1,799 | $1,660 | $2,082 | $2,893 |
| Washington | $1,587 | $1,695 | $1,825 | $2,412 |
| New York | $2,225 | $1,750 | $1,750 | $2,398 |
| Rhode Island | $1,673 | $1,845 | $2,083 | $2,450 |
| Connecticut | $1,860 | $1,895 | $1,925 | $2,250 |
| New Jersey | $2,193 | $2,004 | $2,200 | $2,500 |
| California | $2,111 | $2,203 | $2,477 | $2,995 |
| Massachusetts | $2,375 | $2,450 | $3,024 | $4,100 |
How we calculated it
Each cell is the median rent of that bedroom size in that state, the midpoint of everything we currently track (rooms and senior housing excluded; a state needs at least ten of each size to appear). We use the median rather than the average so a handful of luxury penthouses don’t inflate the picture. The studios-cost-more quirk is real and comes from where studios cluster (dense, pricey cores), not a data error. Live snapshot, last updated Jun 9, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an extra bedroom add to rent?
Less at the bottom, more at the top. Nationally the jump from a one-bed ($1,375) to a two-bed ($1,580) is about $205/mo, and two-bed to three-bed ($2,181) adds roughly $601. The studio-to-one-bed step is the odd one, see below.
Why does a studio cost more than a one-bedroom?
It often does: the national median studio ($1,460) runs about $85 more than the median one-bedroom ($1,375). Studios tend to sit in dense, expensive downtown cores, while one-beds spread into cheaper areas, so the “smaller” unit isn't automatically cheaper.
Is a two-bedroom worth it over a one-bedroom?
If you can use the space (or split it), often yes. The two-bed premium over a one-bed is only about $205/mo nationally, and split with a roommate a two-bed is far cheaper per person than a one-bed alone. The per-state ladder is in the table above.
How did you calculate this?
For each state we took the median rent of every studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom we currently track (states need at least ten of each; rooms and senior housing excluded). Medians, not averages, so a few luxury units don't skew the ladder. Live data, last updated Jun 9, 2026.
More rent guides
National · Affordability
What Salary You Need to Afford Rent in Every State
The income you need to rent in each US state under the 30% rule, from real median rents, plus the hourly wage it works out to.
National · Affordability
What $1,500 a Month Rents Across America
How far $1,500/mo stretches in each state: the share of apartments it can actually afford, from real listings.
National · Comparison
Studio vs 1-Bedroom Rent, by State
The real rent gap between a studio and a one-bed in each state. In most, a one-bed costs the same or less, here’s where.
National · Affordability
Is a Roommate Worth It? 2-Bed Split vs Renting Solo
How much you save splitting a two-bed with a roommate vs renting a one-bed alone, per state. Nationally ~$585/mo each.
Want the cheapest unit in your city the moment it lists?
Save a search on Budget Leases and we’ll email you when a cheaper match shows up. It’s free, with one-click unsubscribe whenever you’re done looking.
Browse the cheapest rentals →Budget Leases is an independent rental tracker and isn’t affiliated with any listing provider. Rents and availability change constantly, so always confirm the current price on the original listing before you make a decision.