As the cost of living continues to rise each year with inflation, $1,000 dollars is starting to get people across the USA less and less. There was a time when spending that amount on a rental unit meant you were wealthy and ready to live the high-end lifestyle. Nowadays, a grand can get still get you some pretty nice digs depending on which city you are in. It can also fetch you something that is just barely habitable if you find yourself living in one of America’s most densely populated metropolises.
The higher the population, the more demand for real estate. This means prices will soar in cities like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
But on the plus side, there are still some major cities that have been immune to astronomical surges in the housing market for the time being. Certain states like Texas seem to excel at this despite booming populations. Sometimes, other cities get a pass from the hit on prices simply because of their relatively smaller size. Either way, here’s a look at what $1,000 a month will get you across 20 U.S. cities.
20 Los Angeles, California - A Not So Hollywood Story
The City of Angels has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the entire country. That claim is with good reason. The truth is that it simply is very expensive, relatively speaking.
For about $950 per month, you are able to rent out a studio apartment that comes with one bathroom. The size of the studio comes in at 330 square feet, but unfortunately does not come with a kitchen. If you’d like to upgrade to a studio apartment with a kitchen for your cooking needs, you will have to shell out an extra $150 a month, raising your rent to $1,100.
You get the same apartment, but with an additional 40 square feet (from the kitchen add-on). You won’t exactly be living the Hollywood lifestyle at this price. You’re going to have to find a way to fork over some more money if you want to live the glamorous life that comes with L.A.
19 Houston, Texas - Everything Is Bigger in Texas
Houston, a sprawling metropolis on the rise is known for its affordable housing and booming economy. The options for apartments are abundant and you’ll be sure to find a pretty good steal if you’re willing to live a bit outside the center of the city.
For about $1,000 a month, you can find a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment at slightly over 1,000 square feet. Not a bad deal, especially when you consider the apartment complex is also on the more luxurious end and full of amenities. This price will include a pet play area, a pet washing station, outdoor cabanas, grills, a pool, a fitness center, a game room, a library and a playground for the kids.
Not to mention you get vinyl flooring and washer and dryers in your units. Everything might actually be bigger in Texas, after all.
18 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Spreading the Brotherly Love, Sort of
$1,000 in the City of Brotherly Love will actually fetch a pretty decent haul. It doesn’t quite compare to some of the more affordable towns that will be found on the list, but sometimes that’s the price to pay when living in one of the country’s major cities.
For the price of $1,000, you’ll get a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment at 650 square feet. Not exactly spacious and the complex isn’t exactly luxurious either, but the steal here is you can get water, heat, and valet trash service included in the price of rent. You also get your own parking space on the adjoining street which is a commodity all on its own in a city like Philly.
17 New York City, New York - An Expensive Concrete Jungle
Located in the heart of midtown, one of the most bustling areas in all of New York City, a grand isn’t going to get you very much. But if your heart is set on living right in the middle of all of the action in Manhattan, $1,000 is going to get you a 98 square foot studio unit.
The unit comes with a half bathroom which means you actually share the showers with other residents, but get your own toilet. There is also no kitchen in the unit, but the room does come equipped with a two burner hot plate and a small refrigerator.
The few positives are all utilities are included in the price and your backyard is one of the most sought-after real estate in the world. If you are looking to stretch your legs a bit more, but stay in NYC, you might need to look in the more affordable neighboring boroughs of the Bronx, Queens or Brooklyn.
16 Cleveland, Ohio - Affordable in the Midwest
Cleveland, known for its heartbreaking history when it comes to sports, minus some recent success with their beloved Cavaliers, has plenty to cheer for when it comes to their housing market.
For a grand, you’ll be able to rent a two bedroom, one bathroom apartment at 835 square feet. Although not the most spacious, the apartments are definitely on the nicer side and come with all the amenities one could hope for – fitness center, air conditioning, kitchen appliances, controlled access to the buildings, elevators, bike storage, laundry facilities, balconies and biking trails nearby.
Not a bad haul if you happen to be in the market for a home in Cleveland.
15 Detroit, Michigan - Motor City Elegance
In Detroit, you will be able to get a well-priced apartment to go along with a bit of room. For an 860 square foot unit, two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms, you’ll pay just over a grand. Not bad considering that this can also get you pretty unmatched views of the Detroit River to go along with an incredible location.
You’d be situated right outside of downtown, giving you access to nightlife and shops. The complex itself is also on the more luxurious end, offering free wireless internet, complimentary bike storage, a fitness center, and daytime concierge services.
14 Chicago, Illinois - Not so Affordable in the Midwest
The third most populous city in the country definitely has its fair share of pros and cons. Unfortunately sometimes known for its violence, it is also one of the most vibrant cities in America.
Cultured and without a shortage of things to do, Chicago is a pricey city. $1,000 will get you a 440 square foot one bedroom, one bathroom apartment in a fairly nice complex. That isn’t much size though, so if you are looking for more space at this price, you will likely have to make your way further from the downtown area and into the lesser aesthetically pleasing complexes.
The plus side is that these historic, century-old buildings come with hardwood floors, granite countertops and renovated units throughout, giving the complex a modern feel.
13 San Francisco, California - You'll Need a Full House to Pay for Rent
Recently passing New York City as the most expensive city in the country when it comes to housing, $1,000 is not going to get you very much at all in the Bay City. With a studio apartment offering one bathroom in less than 300 square feet of space, you are probably better off looking elsewhere or agreeing to split bills with a roommate in a nicer complex.
At least you won't be living on Lombard Street, because we're pretty sure the novelty of driving up and down the curviest street in the world every day will quickly wear off.
12 Washington, D.C. - Living in the Capital Will Cost You
The capital of the USA is a busy city with plenty going on, especially with it being the center of our political world.
Blocks away from the infamous Capitol Building, you'll be able to find a 375 square foot studio with one bathroom for $1,000.
Although the building is on the older side and the luxury on the lower end, the positive takeaway here is location, location, location. Being situated next to the Capitol Building means you’re also blocks away from the heart of the city with the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the Mall all in close proximity.
This complex is more about paying for the location than the space, but if you’re looking for more room, traveling further out is your best option.
11 Boston, Massachusetts - East Coast Luxury
Surprisingly affordable for one of America’s most beloved cities, Boston offers the quintessential brownstone living if you’re willing to live on the outskirts of town.
About twenty minutes outside of downtown, you can find not only affordable apartments, but downright steals. For $1,000, you’re able to rent a two bedroom, one bathroom condo apartment at 1,055 square feet.
But even better are the amenities that come with the unit – parking, elevator, washer and dryers, air conditioning, brick walls and bow front windows, giving residents the East Coast feel they are after.
10 Miami, Florida - South Beach Fun at a Price
Considered one of the hottest and most sought after beach destinations in the country, Miami is the city that people turn to for a good time. If that’s what you’re after, you can find a 350 square foot studio apartment with one bathroom for a grand.
Although the size is not what you would hope for at this price, you would be sacrificing space for being able to live on South Beach, often considered the most vibrant part of the city.
If you are looking for a quieter and calmer living situation, you can head back into the city and find more affordable housing, but not much more. The city is considered one of the priciest in the country.
9 New Orleans, Louisiana - The Big Easy Taking it Easy on Prices
The Big Easy makes its way onto the list as one of the more affordable cities because of its fantastic combination of price and location.
Although the size of the units is on the smaller end, for $1,000, you can find a 555 square foot, one bedroom, one bathroom apartment unit in the heart of downtown, blocks away from the French Quarter and the world famous Bourbon Street.
This is a bargain that simply cannot be beaten, especially considering the incredible views of the city that you’d get from your high rise.
8 Austin, Texas - Keeping it Weird Might Cost You
With pretty average returns for the price, living in Austin is more about the nightlife and cultural aspect rather than what you get for your money.
At about 600 square feet for a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment unit in a fairly decent complex, on the outskirts of the city, you can’t be too disappointed with your return.
Moving closer to the downtown area will fetch you less in size, while moving further away from the city to get more space forces you to do the one thing you don’t want to do in Austin – move to the suburbs. The average person wants to be in Austin because of its spunky, art-centric vibe, so moving further out seems a bit out of sorts.
7 Nashville, Tennessee - Country Style Luxury
You won’t only find great country music and bar nightlife in Nashville, but some pretty great deals on rentals as well.
For a grand, you can find a 750 square foot, one bedroom, one bathroom unit.
The biggest win here is the quality of the complex you will find yourself in. At this price, you will be in a nicer part of the city and have all of the luxurious features and amenities you are hoping for.
Included with the rental are alarm systems, a dog park, a golf course, a pool, grilling station, wood style flooring and even fireplaces in select units. Lastly, you’re only minutes away from downtown.
6 Las Vegas, Nevada - No Risk on These Prices
Sin City is known for its nightlife, casino games and non-stop partying, but it can also boast about its good deals on apartment living.
For our listed price, you can find a two bedroom, one bathroom apartment in a nice part of the city with 945 square feet of room to go with it.
The complex you’d find yourself in would also be something to write home about. You would have access to all of the standard amenities to go along with a pool, laundry facilities, vinyl flooring and a fully equipped kitchen with all the appliances you would need.
5 Denver, Colorado - Peace and Serenity Might Not Come Cheap
Known for its beautiful landscapes, cleanliness and clear skies, Denver continues to move up on lists of most sought-after cities to live in. With a continued influx of residents moving to Denver, the price of apartment homes has steadily gone up over time.
For $1,000, you’ll find yourself in a nice apartment complex, in a nice area, at the expense of size. With about 485 square feet of space and only one bathroom in a studio unit, you are paying for the area.
The steal here is the complex comes with all of the amenities and features you’d look for in a home including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and vinyl flooring.
4 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Affordability to go with Southern Hospitality
Considered one of the lesser known and visited cities on the list, that is one of the reasons why you get so much bang for your buck in Oklahoma City. Being able to take advantage of controlled population sizes and no major influx of people moving to the city, you’re able to find luxury living for the price.
With a luxury 950 square foot apartment and two bedrooms and two bathrooms in tow, you will find yourself blocks away from the Capitol Building in downtown.
Not only does it offer size and an unbeatable location, you get unique features such as a park, a dog park, grilling areas, private patios and balconies along with great views of the downtown area.
3 Atlanta, Georgia - Our Dollar Stretches Pass the Atlantic
Coming in as one of the most affordable major cities in the entire country, there isn’t much more you can ask of Atlanta when it comes to apartment hunting.
For even LESS than a grand, you can find yourself in a three bedroom, one bathroom apartment at over 1,000 square feet.
And at this price and size, you aren’t sacrificing quality, as the complex is located in a nicer part of the city, featuring washer and dryers in the unit, central cooling and heating, a fitness center, a pool and a playground.
2 San Antonio, Texas - The Alamo Wins the Battle of Housing
Despite being one of the ten largest cities in America, San Antonio is not as popular as its contemporaries. Although the city’s job market can be somewhat limited at times, its housing economy is anything but.
At $995 a month, you can find a 1,000 square foot, one bedroom, one bathroom unit in a high-end luxury complex.
Included in the price are granite countertops, hardwood floors, private patios and your own yard. It’s hard to beat the price for the size and amenities that come in the Alamo City.
1 Seattle, Washington - Hipsters Vibes Can Get Pricey
Seattle, often one of the most beloved cities in the country, is known for its trendsetting, hipster vibe. With millennials galore, contemporary and modern living are a normal occurrence throughout, but it is going to come with a price.
As one of the most expensive cities in the country, $1,000 dollars will get you some nice luxury living, but at the sacrifice of any real comfortable living space.
You can find a luxury high rise tower for the price, but will only get a 250 square foot studio unit with a bathroom. You will have to use shared kitchens for dinner time, but get to enjoy all of the great amenities that come with the building, including great access to downtown, a rooftop deck with unparalleled views, and a communal area with all kinds of entertainment. And of course, a coffee bar in the high rise goes without saying in Seattle.