Apartment rentals in Austin, TX: what a studio really costs

How much does it cost to rent a studio in Austin?

A studio in Highland costs around $1,179 a month on average, according to Apartments.com. That is a market average, not a Centro price. Centro’s published studio rents, listed on 2026-11-02, run from $699 to $1,114. Rent changes daily, so use these numbers to plan, not to sign.

The wide range comes from the unit, the floor and the day you look. Two studios on the same floor plan can have different prices. Our studio apartment costs guide explains what moves the number, and starting price vs total monthly cost shows how to read a “starting at” price. For a full look at the homes, see studio apartments in Austin, TX.

What does it cost to move in at Centro?

Your move-in cost is the rent plus a deposit, an application fee and any pet charges. Centro publishes most of these. A studio deposit starts at $500. The application fee is $50 and non-refundable. Fees are estimates and actual amounts may vary.

Here is every cost Centro has published, in one place.

Centro adds that pricing and availability are subject to change. See the deposits page for the client’s own wording.

What is a worked example of the move-in total?

Add up only the figures Centro has published. For a studio with no pet, the application fee plus the lowest deposit is $550. That total is before your first month’s rent and before the administrative fee, which has no published amount. A pet adds $400 up front and $25 a month.

Your deposit may be higher than $500, and your first month’s rent comes on top. Read the full walk-through in the move-in costs guide. The post on a move-in cost worked example uses these numbers step by step. Pet rules are in moving with a pet into a studio.

How do weeks-free offers change the price?

“Weeks free” means the community waives some rent. Centro’s current offer is homes starting at $699 plus up to 8 weeks free on select floor plans. Offers vary by floor plan, and they change. Ask what the free weeks do to your total monthly price.

A move-in special can look larger than it is. Eight weeks is about 1.85 months of rent. At $699 a month, eight weeks of rent is about $1,290 if the offer fully applied to that rent. That is our arithmetic, not a Centro promise. Whether the offer applies to your unit, and on what lease length, is something to confirm with the office. Weeks free are one part of net effective rent, the average rent after the discount.

The specials page shows today’s offer. For how to compare deals across communities, read how move-in specials work and comparing weeks-free offers in Austin.

How much income do you need to rent in Austin?

Most Austin landlords screen at 3x the monthly rent, according to Austin Apartment Locators. On a $699 studio, 3x is $2,097 a month. On the top Centro rent of $1,114, 3x is $3,342. That is a common rule, not Centro’s published rule.

Ask the leasing office for Centro’s criteria before you apply, since an application fee is non-refundable. The 3x income rule entry explains the math, and the income guide goes deeper. The post on the 3x rule on a $699 studio works through it. The rent-to-income ratio is the same idea in reverse.

What costs are not listed in the rent?

Some costs sit outside the rent figure, and Centro does not publish all of them. The client lists a cable and internet package and reserved parking available. It does not publish their prices, or whether utilities are included. Treat each as an open question until the office answers in writing.

Add these to your budget before you compare Centro to another listing. The total monthly price is the number that counts, not the lowest rent on a card.

How do you compare Centro with other Austin studios?

Compare the same things on every listing: rent for your unit, deposit, fees, pet charges and any free weeks. Then add the costs the listing leaves out. A low sticker price with high fees can cost more than a higher rent with few fees.

1. Write down the rent for the exact unit, not the “starting at” price.
2. Add the deposit and every fee due before move-in.
3. Add monthly extras: pet rent, parking, internet.
4. Subtract any free weeks, then divide by the lease months to see the average.
5. Check the income rule against your pay.

This method works for any building. The studio vs one-bedroom comparison applies it to the choice of home size.

What happens when you apply?

You apply, the office reviews your application, and you pay the deposit to hold your home. Centro honors a rent quote for 2 business days. A unit is held for up to 14 days. If you are denied, the administrative fee is returned. The application fee is not.

1. Get a rent quote and note the date. It stays good for 2 business days.
2. Submit your rental application and pay the $50 application fee.
3. Wait for review. Read how apartment approval works so you know what to expect.
4. Pay the deposit. The unit hold lasts up to 14 days.
5. Move in, and pay rent each month.

What should you ask before you pay anything?

Ask for the full price in writing. Ask what is due now and what is due later, and ask which fees come back if you are denied. Prices change daily, so confirm the number on the day you decide.

• What is the exact rent for my unit today?
• What is the deposit for my application?
• What is the administrative fee, and when is it returned?
• Does the weeks-free offer apply to my unit, and for how long?
• Is there a pro-rated first month? See pro-rated rent.

The apartment tour checklist has more questions. For the place and the amenities behind the price, see the apartment complex page.

Next step

Run your numbers, then book a tour to see the unit and get a written quote. Call (737) 317-8369 to ask about today’s price.