--- title: "Studio vs One-Bedroom in Austin: Rent, Space and Costs" description: "Compare a studio and a one-bedroom in Austin: Highland market averages from Apartments.com, yearly savings, move-in costs and the space you give up." url: https://centro.multisites.ai/compare/studio-vs-one-bedroom-austin publisher: Centro Studio Homes phone: +17373178369 tour: https://centro.multisites.ai/scheduletour --- ![Centro studio with a bed, kitchen wall and a red GALANZ fridge](https://centro.multisites.ai/_astro/studio-living.BYo-5fl0_Z1lPVPF.webp) # Studio vs one-bedroom in Austin: what you save and what you give up In Highland, Apartments.com shows studios around $1,181 per month and one-bedrooms around $1,431, a gap of $250 a month or $3,000 a year. A studio saves money but has one room for every job. These are market averages as of November 2, 2026, not Centro prices. Updated November 2, 2026 - **$250 a month gap**Apartments.com shows Highland studios around $1,181 and one-bedrooms around $1,431 per month. - **$3,000 a year**At that gap, a studio saves $3,000 over 12 months, before fees and utilities. - **One room, four jobs**A studio holds sleep, meals, work and storage in one space. A one-bedroom adds a door. - **Centro lists studios**Centro Studio Homes lists studio floor plans from $699 to $1,114 per month as shown on 2026-11-02. ## How much do a studio and a one-bedroom cost in Austin? Apartments.com shows Highland studios around $1,181 per month and one-bedrooms around $1,431. That is a $250 gap each month, or $3,000 across a year. These are market averages as read on November 2, 2026. They are not Centro prices. Here are the two numbers side by side. Studio One-bedroom Gap Highland average (Apartments.com, Nov. 2, 2026) About $1,181 per month About $1,431 per month $250 per month Over 12 months About $14,172 About $17,172 $3,000 Averages hide a wide spread. A building’s price depends on its age, its amenities and the unit. Treat the table as a map of the neighborhood, not a quote. To see what a specific community charges, read its listing. Centro Studio Homes lists studio floor plans from $699 to $1,114 per month as shown on 2026-11-02. Prices change daily; check current pricing on the [floor plans page](https://centro.multisites.ai/floorplans). Why does the gap matter? Because rent is your largest bill. A $250 monthly difference is a number you can plan around: a car payment, a savings goal or a cushion for fees. Our guide to studio apartment costs in Austin breaks down what a studio costs in full. ## What do you give up with a studio? You give up a door and floor area. A [studio apartment](https://centro.multisites.ai/glossary/studio-apartment) is one room, so sleep, meals, work and storage share the same space, air and light. A one-bedroom adds a door between your bed and everything else. The trade-offs show up in daily life: Area Studio One-bedroom Separation One room, no door to close A bedroom door Guests They share your living space A separate space to close off Cooking Smells reach the bed Smells stay mostly in the kitchen area Working from home Desk shares the room Desk can live in a second room Storage One closet area and your own furniture Usually more closets and floor Furniture A bed, a table and a few pieces Furniture for two zones Not all of these are losses. Some people prefer one open room. It is easier to clean and to heat or cool. See our post on how to zone a studio and the [studio layout and storage guide](https://centro.multisites.ai/guides/studio-layout-and-storage) for ways to create separation without a wall. ## What do you save with a studio? You save on rent, on one-time fees that scale with rent, and on furniture and cleaning time. The rent gap is the largest piece. Fees and furniture add to it. **Rent.** At the Highland averages, the studio saves $250 a month. **Move-in fees.** Apartments.com says that, excluding first and last month’s rent, move-in fees are generally 33% to 50% of the monthly rent price. Applied to the averages above, that gives a rough range: Studio ($1,181) One-bedroom ($1,431) Move-in fees at 33% About $390 About $472 Move-in fees at 50% About $591 About $716 This is an estimate from a general rule, not a quote. Real fees depend on the property. Ask for a written list. At Centro, studio deposits start at $500 and the application fee is $50 and non-refundable. See the [deposits page](https://centro.multisites.ai/deposits) for the full terms. **Income needed.** Apartment List says landlords will often only consider applicants with a gross monthly income of 3x the monthly rent. The math on the averages: Studio One-bedroom Monthly rent $1,181 $1,431 3x rent (gross monthly income) $3,543 $4,293 That is the common rule, not Centro’s own. Ask the leasing office for Centro’s criteria. Learn more in our guide on [income needed to rent in Austin](https://centro.multisites.ai/guides/income-needed-to-rent-austin) and the [3x income rule](https://centro.multisites.ai/glossary/3x-income-rule). **Furniture and cleaning.** A smaller space needs less furniture, less to clean and less to heat and cool. Those savings are real but hard to put a number on. Utility costs depend on the unit and the provider, so ask the office which utilities you pay. ## When does a studio make more sense? A studio makes sense when price and simplicity matter more than separation. If you can live well with one room, the savings are steady, and the setup is simple. If you need a door, a one-bedroom may fit better. Ask yourself these questions: 1. **Can I sleep where I cook?** If smells or light bother you at night, plan a curtain or a shelf, or choose a one-bedroom. 2. **Do I work from home most days?** If you take calls, you may want a door. Centro lists a cowork space in its community if you want a place outside your home. 3. **Do I host often?** A studio fits a few guests. A larger group is tight. 4. **How much do I own?** Large furniture, a big wardrobe or many hobbies need space and storage. 5. **What is my budget ceiling?** If $250 a month changes your plans, the studio gap is worth taking seriously. There is no right answer. The best choice is the one you can afford and still enjoy at home. Our [studio apartments in Austin](https://centro.multisites.ai/studio-apartments-in-austin-tx) page covers studio living in more depth. ## How do you compare two places fairly? Compare the total monthly cost and the one-time costs, not the headline rent. Two listings with the same rent can differ by hundreds of dollars once you add fees, parking, pets and utilities. Use this checklist for each place: 1. **Total monthly cost.** Rent plus required monthly fees. See [total monthly price](https://centro.multisites.ai/glossary/total-monthly-price) for the term. 2. **One-time costs.** Deposit, application fee, administrative fee and pet charges. 3. **Specials.** Free weeks or discounts, and how they apply. See weeks free. 4. **Utilities.** Which you pay, and what a typical bill is. 5. **Lease length.** Shorter or flexible terms often cost more. See lease term. 6. **Space.** Ask for room size and storage details, and measure on the tour. Our page on [starting price vs total monthly cost](https://centro.multisites.ai/compare/starting-price-vs-total-monthly-cost) shows how a listing’s headline number can differ from what you pay. Use our apartment tour checklist to gather the same facts at each tour. ## Does Centro offer both? No. Centro Studio Homes lists studio floor plans only: a 1st floor studio and a 2nd floor studio. It does not list one-bedroom homes. If you need a separate bedroom, a one-bedroom at another community is the match. If a studio fits, here is what Centro publishes: Item Centro Studio Homes Home type Studio, with one bath Listed price Homes starting at $699 1st floor studio $729 to $1,114 per month 2nd floor studio $699 to $1,099 per month Deposit Studio deposits start at $500 Special Up to 8 weeks free on select floor plans; offers vary by floor plan Pets Up to 2, with a $150 deposit, $250 fee and $25 monthly rent per pet Prices are as listed on 2026-11-02. Fees are estimates and actual amounts may vary. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Centro says 306 studios were rebuilt in 2019-2020 from the studs out. See the 1st floor and 2nd floor pages for each plan. The studio sits in the Highland neighborhood. Read about the area on our Highland Austin apartments page. If $699 to $1,114 fits your budget and one room suits you, the next step is to see it. ## Next step Compare the studio plans, then book a tour to see one in person. Use the [schedule a tour](https://centro.multisites.ai/scheduletour) page or call (737) 317-8369. ## Questions renters ask How much cheaper is a studio than a one-bedroom in Austin? In the Highland neighborhood, Apartments.com shows studios around $1,181 per month and one-bedrooms around $1,431, a $250 gap. That is $3,000 over a year. These are market averages from November 2, 2026, and not Centro prices, so check each listing's total monthly cost. Is a studio big enough to live in? It depends on how you live and what you own. A studio is one room, so sleeping, eating and working share space. Zoning with a rug, a shelf or a curtain helps. Ask the leasing office for room size, since Centro does not publish square footage. Do studios cost less to move into? Usually, because one-time fees follow the rent. Apartments.com says move-in fees run 33% to 50% of the monthly rent. On a lower rent, that fee is lower. Deposits, pets and parking can change the total, so ask for a written quote. Does Centro have one-bedroom apartments? No. Centro Studio Homes lists studio floor plans only, on a 1st floor and a 2nd floor. If you need a separate bedroom, a one-bedroom elsewhere is the match. If one room works, ask Centro for the current price of a studio. What do I give up with a studio? You give up a door between sleep and everything else, plus floor area. Cooking smells, work and guests share the same air and space. You gain a lower rent and less to clean, heat and furnish. Decide which of those matters more. Which is easier to furnish? A studio, since there is less floor to fill. You need a bed, a table and storage, and little else. A one-bedroom needs more furniture and a second zone to plan. Measure first, then buy pieces that do two jobs. ## Sources 1. [Apartments.com: Apartments for Rent in Highland, Austin, TX (studio average)](https://www.apartments.com/highland-austin-tx/)Looking for a studio apartment in the Highland neighborhood? Expect to pay around $1,181 per month. 2. [Apartments.com: Apartments for Rent in Highland, Austin, TX (one-bedroom average)](https://www.apartments.com/highland-austin-tx/)One bedroom Highland apartments rent for around $1,431 per month. 3. [Apartments.com: The Total Cost of Renting an Apartment](https://www.apartments.com/blog/the-total-cost-of-renting-an-apartment)Excluding first and last month’s rent, move-in fees are generally 33% to 50% of the monthly rent price. 4. [Apartment List: 36 Questions to Ask When Renting an Apartment in 2026](https://www.apartmentlist.com/renter-life/questions-to-ask-when-renting-an-apartment)Landlords will often only consider applicants with a gross monthly income of 3x the monthly rent and require proof of income. ## Come see your studio. Tour in person or by live video. Book a time and we will show you the studios available now. [Book a tour](https://centro.multisites.ai/scheduletour) [(737) 317-8369](tel:+17373178369) Leasing office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM; Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM; Sunday, closed.