What is the difference between a starting price and a total monthly cost?
A starting price is the lowest number in a range, tied to one unit. Total monthly cost is the base rent plus required monthly fees, for a specific unit. Centro says homes start at $699. The total for your unit may be higher.
Both numbers are honest when labeled. Problems start when a renter reads one as the other.
| Term | What it means | Covers fees? | Example from Centro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting at | The lowest price in a range, for one unit | No | “Homes starting at $699” |
| Listed range | Low to high across units on a floor plan | Depends on the listing | 1st floor studios $729 to $1,114; 2nd floor studios $699 to $1,099 |
| Base rent | The rent before any monthly fees | No | Not listed separately |
| Total monthly cost | Base rent plus required recurring monthly fees | Recurring fees only | Shown on RentCafe as “total monthly cost” |
| Move-in costs | One-time charges at the start | One-time only | Studio deposits start at $500; $50 application fee |
Prices are as listed on 2026-11-02. Prices change daily; check current pricing. See total monthly price and net effective rent.
Why does a “starting at” price not match what you pay?
It names the lowest unit in a range, not yours. Different units on one floor plan can sit at different prices, because of location in the building, lease length, move-in date and demand. Your unit may cost more.
Centro’s own pages show the pattern. The community says homes start at $699. Its 2nd floor studio plan is listed from $699 to $1,099, and its 1st floor studio plan from $729 to $1,114. The lowest number belongs to one plan.
Reasons a starting price may not be your price: units on one plan differ, the cheapest unit may not be open on your date, price can change by lease length, prices change daily, and a special may apply to some plans only.
This is how rent listings work. The fix is simple: ask for the price of the exact unit, on your move-in date, in writing. Apartment List advises that you confirm the price for the specific unit you want and double-check the quote before you sign.
What does a listed range tell you?
A range shows how far prices spread across a floor plan. It tells you the low end and the high end, and that the middle is up to the unit. It does not tell you which units are open.
Centro’s ranges as of 2026-11-02:
| Floor plan | Listed range per month |
|---|---|
| 1st floor studio | $729 to $1,114 |
| 2nd floor studio | $699 to $1,099 |
If your budget is under $800, the range tells you something useful: some units may fit, and many will not. Do not assume yours does. Ask which units are open at your budget before you tour. Our page on studio apartments in Austin under $800 is honest about this, and the floor plans page shows the current ranges.
Ask the office: “What is the lowest-priced unit open for my move-in date, and what is the total?” That moves you from a range to a real number.
What is “total monthly cost,” and what does it include?
RentCafe says its total monthly cost is the base rent including recurring monthly fees and costs as provided by the property. It does not include application fees, variable costs, or optional charges such as utility costs and pet charges.
That second sentence is the part many renters miss. The total is closer to your real monthly bill than base rent, but it is not everything. Here is what usually sits inside and outside it.
| Usually inside the total | Usually outside the total |
|---|---|
| Base rent | Application fee |
| Required recurring monthly fees | Security deposit |
| Utilities you pay by usage | |
| Pet deposit, fee and rent | |
| Optional charges, such as parking or add-ons |
Apartments.com says nonoptional fees add $65 a month on average. That is a market figure, not a Centro figure. It shows why a base rent and a total can differ. On Apartments.com, listings that advertise the total cost carry a “Total Monthly Price” badge.
Centro’s RentCafe listing displays total monthly cost. Its highest listed item is Furnished Short Term Rentals, which Centro lists at $1,954 per month. Contact the office for availability. Read more in our guide to short-term and furnished rentals.
How do you get from a listed price to your real monthly cost?
Start with the unit’s total monthly cost, then add the pieces the total leaves out. Ask the office for each one. Write them in a simple budget, and compare it to your income.
Use these steps:
- Ask for the unit’s total monthly cost. Get it in writing.
- Add utilities you pay. Ask which ones, and a typical bill.
- Add pet rent. Centro charges $25 per month per pet, up to 2 pets.
- Add parking or add-ons. Centro lists reserved parking as available. Ask the price.
- Add internet. Centro lists a cable and internet package. Ask the price.
- Subtract any special. Spread free weeks across the lease to see the average.
- Check one-time costs. Add deposit, application fee and pet charges for move-in day.
A worked example with a made-up unit, to show the method only. These are not Centro prices:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total monthly cost (assumed) | $900 |
| Utilities you pay (assumed) | $80 |
| Internet package (assumed) | $50 |
| One pet’s rent (Centro: $25) | $25 |
| Real monthly cost | $1,055 |
The listing said $900. The real cost is $155 higher, so compare totals, not headlines. Our guide to move-in costs for a studio covers the one-time side, and the deposits page lists Centro’s terms.
How do specials like “weeks free” change the math?
A special lowers what you pay over the lease. It does not change the monthly rent. Centro lists up to 8 weeks free on select floor plans, and offers vary by floor plan. Spread the free weeks across the lease to see the average.
Here is a model, using made-up numbers to show the method:
| Step | Value |
|---|---|
| Assumed monthly rent | $900 |
| Lease length | 12 months |
| Total rent before special | $10,800 |
| Weekly rent ($10,800 divided by 52) | about $208 |
| 8 weeks free | about $1,662 off |
| Rent after special | about $9,138 |
| Average per month | about $762 |
This is a hypothetical, not a Centro price, and Centro’s offer varies by floor plan. Ask three questions: Which plans qualify? How are the free weeks applied? Does the special change when you must pay? The averaged number is called net effective rent. Learn the terms weeks free and move-in special, and read how move-in specials work. Check Centro’s offer on the specials page.
What should you ask to compare listings fairly?
Ask every community the same five questions, and write the answers side by side. This turns a pile of different labels into one comparison.
- What is the total monthly cost for this exact unit and lease length?
- What required monthly fees are inside that total?
- What one-time costs apply on move-in day?
- What special applies, and how is it applied?
- How long does this quote hold? (Centro honors quotes for 2 business days.)
Centro’s published facts to check against any other community:
| Item | Centro Studio Homes |
|---|---|
| Starting price | Homes starting at $699 |
| 1st floor studios | $729 to $1,114 per month |
| 2nd floor studios | $699 to $1,099 per month |
| Deposit | Studio deposits start at $500 |
| Application fee | $50, non-refundable |
| Administrative fee | Returned if denied |
| Pets | Up to 2; $150 deposit, $250 fee, $25 monthly rent per pet |
| Quotes | Honored for 2 business days |
| Units held | Up to 14 days |
Fees are estimates and actual amounts may vary. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Use the same list for each place you tour. Our apartment tour checklist has the full set of questions. For the cost of studios across Austin, see studio apartment costs in Austin.
Next step
Ask for the total monthly cost of your exact unit, then book a tour to see it. Use the schedule a tour page or call (737) 317-8369.
