Where To Get the Most and Least Space as a Renter
Which cities offer the most and least space as a renter? In Wichita, Kansas, your $1,500 monthly rent unlocks the door to a spacious 1,400-square-foot apartment. In Manhattan, New York, it barely buys you a 200-square-foot micro-unit.
Renting is less expensive than buying in all 50 U.S. states, with the monthly cost of owning at least 50% more expensive than the monthly cost of renting in 21 U.S. metros. That’s not to say that rent can’t set you back in many major coastal areas where renters on a fixed budget typically sacrifice square footage or share an address with two or three roommates to make ends meet.
The best deals on rent? Head for the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest, according to a new study from RentCafe that ranked 200 U.S. cities for a balance between space, budget and location to understand how much rental space you can get for a fixed sum.
How small is small?
The words "square feet" can sometimes be confusing because it can be hard to get a rough picture of how much space a certain number of square feet takes up. To visualize square feet for an apartment, take Manhattan. Here you’ll pay about $1,500 rent for only 228 square feet of living space or about the same size as the average one-car garage. However, the space is more theoretical than reality as there are few, if any 228-square foot studios available in the city. The average studio apartment is about 440 square feet while a king-size mattress is about 42 square feet.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
According to the study, $1,500 per month provides countless opportunities but cozier living spaces in places like Manhattan, NY, Brooklyn, NY, and Boston, versus Wichita, KS, and Toledo, OH, where you can get over 1,300 square feet of living space for a monthly rent of $1,500. Other key findings include:
Key findings from RentCafe's report
- California cities dominate the list for the least space, with 32 out of the top 50.
- The national average is 729 square feet for $1,500 in rent per month.
- Significant variations exist even among major cities. Specifically, Houston offers 983 square feet for the same price, while Los Angeles provides only 439 square feet
- In 62% of the 200 largest cities in the U.S., apartment seekers get more space than the national average.
- In Los Angeles, the amount of space you can get for $1,500 grew by 3% versus a year ago.
Top 10 cities in which you get the most space for $1,500
| CITY | SQUARE FEET |
| 1. Wichita, KS | 1,359 |
| 2. Toledo, OH | 1,345 |
| 3. Oklahoma City, OK | 1,302 |
| 4. Tulsa, OK | 1,277 |
| 5. Memphis, TN | 1,257 |
| 6. Lubbock, TX | 1,220 |
| 7. Fort Wayne, IN | 1,212 |
| 8. Baton Rouge, LA | 1,166 |
| 9. El Paso, TX | 1,147 |
| 10. Omaha, NE | 1,126 |
Top 10 cities in which you get the least space for $1,500
| CITY | SQUARE FEET | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| 1. Manhattan, NY | 228 | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| 2. Brooklyn, NY | 300 | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
| 3. Boston, MA | 315 | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
| 4. San Francisco, CA | 334 | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
| 5. Jersey City, NJ | 340 | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
| 6. Queens, NY | 370 | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
| 7. Sunnyvale, CA | 406 | Row 7 - Cell 2 |
| 8. Pasadena, CA | 427 | Row 8 - Cell 2 |
| 9. Irvine, CA | 436 | Row 9 - Cell 2 |
| 10. Loa Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose, CA | 440 | Row 10 - Cell 2 |
Check out the full report from RentCafe, which highlights the details of the largest cities for the most apartment space available for $1,500 per month, the big cities offering the least space for a monthly rent budget of $1,500, and how much space you can get for $1,500 in Texas (just for comparison).
Related Content
-
S&P 500 Tops 7,000, Fed Pauses Rate Cuts: Stock Market TodayInvestors, traders and speculators will probably have to wait until after Jerome Powell steps down for the next Fed rate cut.
-
The Met Opera May Sell Its Iconic Paintings. Is it a Good Investment?Buying the Marc Chagall murals would come with a big stipulation attached.
-
Do You Really Need All Those Phone Plan Perks?Unlimited data plans now come bundled with streaming, travel perks and device deals — but many people pay for extras they rarely use.
-
Is the Housing Market's 'Lock-In Effect' Finally Starting to Ease?As mortgage rates stabilize and fewer owners hold ultra-low loans, the lock-in effect may be losing its grip.
-
How to Find the Best International Moving Company for Your Big Move Abroad (and Avoid Costly Mistakes)It's best to use an international moving company to protect your belongings and budget when relocating to another country. Here's how to find a reputable firm.
-
What to Ask a Contractor Before a RenovationHomeowners should ask these essential questions before hiring a contractor to avoid surprises, protect their investment and keep projects on time and on budget.
-
I'm 61 and Want a Divorce, but I Worry About My Finances. Should We Live Separately but Stay Married?We asked Certified Divorce Financial Analysts for advice.
-
I'm a Real Estate Expert: 2026 Marks a Seismic Shift in Tax Rules, and Investors Could Reap Millions in RewardsThree major tax strategies will align in 2026, creating unique opportunities for real estate investors to significantly grow their wealth. Here's how it works.
-
What to Watch for When Refinancing Your Home MortgageA smart refinance can save you thousands, but only if you know how to avoid costly pitfalls, calculate true savings and choose the right loan for your goals.
-
Builders Are Offering Big Mortgage Incentives — What Homebuyers Should Watch ForBuilder credits and below-market mortgage rates can ease affordability pressures, but the savings often come with trade-offs buyers should understand before signing.
-
Do Self-Storage REITs Deserve Space in Your Portfolio? It's a Yes From This Investment AdviserSelf-storage is an overlooked area of the real estate market, even though demand is strong. Investors can get in on the action through a REIT.
