Sun Belt rent guide
Studio vs 1-Bedroom: Where the Price Gap Flips (June 2026)
Data as of Jun 8, 2026 · median studio and one-bedroom rent across six states
Conventional wisdom says a studio is the cheapest apartment you can rent, so renters on a budget reach for one by default. The data says: not so fast. We compared the median studio rent against the median one-bedroom rent in every state we track, and in a couple of them the one-bedroom is the cheaper choice. That is an extra room, sometimes for less money.
The flip happens in Georgia (1-bed is about $127 cheaper) and Texas (1-bed is about $89 cheaper). At the other end, Arizona rewards going small: its studios run roughly $196/mo under a one-bedroom.
Studio vs 1-bedroom, by state
| State | Studio (typical) | 1-bed (typical) | Difference | Smart move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $1,426 | $1,299 | 1-bed $127 less | Get the 1-bed |
| Texas | $1,207 | $1,118 | 1-bed $89 less | Get the 1-bed |
| Florida | $1,549 | $1,550 | studio $1 less | Toss-up |
| Nevada | $1,263 | $1,307 | studio $44 less | Toss-up |
| California | $2,147 | $2,200 | studio $53 less | Toss-up |
| Arizona | $1,099 | $1,295 | studio $196 less | Studio wins |
How to use this
“Typical” is the median across every studio or one-bedroom we track in the state, so half rent for less and half for more. The takeaway is simple: in markets where the gap flips, never auto-pick the studio, pull up the one-bedrooms too, because you may pay less for an actual separate bedroom. Where studios still win, the savings are usually small, so weigh the space you lose. Either way, sort by price and filter to your bedroom count on Budget Leases to see what is live in your city. Numbers refresh with our listings (last updated Jun 8, 2026).
Frequently asked questions
Is a studio always cheaper than a 1-bedroom?
No. In Georgia and Texas, the typical 1-bedroom actually rents for less than the typical studio, so you can often get the extra room for free or cheaper. Always price both before you assume the studio is the budget pick.
Why would a studio cost more than a 1-bedroom?
Studios skew toward newer downtown and midrise buildings aimed at young professionals, while one-bedrooms include a lot of older, larger suburban stock. In markets like Austin and Atlanta that mix pushes the studio median above the one-bedroom median.
Where is a studio actually the better deal?
Arizona, where the typical studio runs about $196 a month less than a one-bedroom, the biggest real studio discount of the states we track.
More rent guides
Multi-state · Comparison
Where Rent Goes Furthest in the Sun Belt (6 States)
How rent stacks up across all six states we cover, by bedroom. A California one-bed costs nearly double the same place in Texas or Georgia.
Multi-state · Affordability
What $1,500 a Month in Rent Gets You Across the Sun Belt
Same budget, six states: how much apartment $1,500/mo actually buys in California versus Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada, by living space and by how many options you get.
Multi-state · Value
Most Apartment for Your Money: Best Square-Footage Value
Cheapest rent is not the same as best value. Sun Belt cities ranked by price per square foot, where your money buys the most actual living space.
California · Rent data
Average Rent in California by City
What renters actually pay: median rent in every city we track, broken down by bedroom, studio through three-bed.
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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.