Here’s What $2000 in Rent Looks Like Across the Country
If you live in the city long enough, you know there are two things that don’t stop going up: small plates restaurants and the price of rent. Let’s talk about the latter.
The past decade has seen a huge surge in folks (mostly young professionals without families) moving into cities across the country. Makes sense—people want to be closer to all the good stuff a major metropolis affords. But how about what they can afford? We combed through some popular online listings to see just how far $2,000 a month goes in 2017. The results may or may not surprise you.
BOSTON: $1900, studio, 290 square feet
If you're looking to live in the heart of downtown Boston on your own, this studio apartment is where it's at. Like most places in Beacon Hill, it's "cozy" (read: small), but it's newly renovated and about as centrally located as you can get on Beacon St. Heat is mercifully included for those long New England winters, and a shared roof deck with a great view of the city for the summer really seals the deal. (Local tip: Ditch your car unless you're willing to pay nearly the same price per month for parking.)
Image courtesy of Gibson Sotheby's International Realty.
SEATTLE: $1980, 1 bed, 662 square feet
We fully acknowledge that lofts can be kind of annoying, but it's hard to turn this one down. This place is located in the heart of Ballard—a great neighborhood that's close enough to downtown without being downtown—and is pretty affordable considering all that you get. In addition to being a spankin' new unit with quartz countertops and hardwood floors, there's rooftop access with views of the Sound and Olympic Mountains, entertainment rooms with billiards and ping pong, and in-unit laundry. And 10 Starbucks locations within walking distance (probably).
Image courtesy of Vive Apartments Weidner Apartment Homes.
SAN FRANCISCO: $1795, studio, 250 square feet (estimate)
After reading some of the horror stories about how crazy it can be to rent in San Francisco, we were surprised to find this studio for under $1800 in Lower Nob Hill. The only catch—the realtor has conveniently left out the square footage, which appears to be snug even for most hobbits. You might have to put some of your belongings in storage, but for your own spot this close to the Tenderloin, it's really not that bad of a deal.
NYC: $2,000, studio, 250 square feet (estimate)
Ok, this is a tough one. Rent can fluctuate wildly in this city depending on which borough or neighborhood you're looking in, so just for kicks, we thought we'd see what we could find in the East Village for $2K. To no one's surprise, we found a shoebox. But it's a supremely located shoebox! It's a tiny studio in NYC, so nothing is included—but who cares because it's in the East Village. Living here would definitely mean spending most of your time out of the apartment, which is exactly why you'd be living here in the first place.
Image courtesy of Alpha Properties NYC I LLC.
CHICAGO: $2,000, 2 bed, 800 square feet (estimate)
Now we're talking! With regard to bang for your buck, this spot in Lincoln Park is where it's at. With a newly renovated kitchen with stainless steel goods, mostly hardwood floors, and a faux fire place (faux'er place?), this unit was made for dinner parties and spreading out. Plus, there's a sweet bike room to keep your wheels safe and warm from the Chicago winters.
Image courtesy of Fulton Grace Realty.
AUSTIN: $1962, 1 bed, 856 square feet
Everything really is bigger in Texas, including this massive 1-bedroom loft apartment (with a mezzanine!) located in downtown Austin. The complex has everything you need, from rooftop access to poolside grills, and the common areas look like places you'd actually want to hang out in. It's got just the right amount of character with plenty of options to make it feel like your own.
Image courtesy of Sur512.
DETROIT: $1925, 1 bed, 1,414 square feet
Nowhere has seen such dramatic shifts in real estate in the last decade as Detroit, which remains one of the most affordable cities in the country. Here $2K will get you nearly 1,500 square feet of newly renovated space in the heart of downtown. Included: View of Ford Field, a private parking garage, and a spiral staircase to make you feel extra fancy. Included but not pictured: Access to the best Middle Eastern food in the U.S. in nearby Dearborn, MI.
Image courtesy of The Lofts at Merchants Row.
BOSTON: $1900, studio, 290 square feet
If you're looking to live in the heart of downtown Boston on your own, this studio apartment is where it's at. Like most places in Beacon Hill, it's "cozy" (read: small), but it's newly renovated and about as centrally located as you can get on Beacon St. Heat is mercifully included for those long New England winters, and a shared roof deck with a great view of the city for the summer really seals the deal. (Local tip: Ditch your car unless you're willing to pay nearly the same price per month for parking.)
Image courtesy of Gibson Sotheby's International Realty.
SEATTLE: $1980, 1 bed, 662 square feet
We fully acknowledge that lofts can be kind of annoying, but it's hard to turn this one down. This place is located in the heart of Ballard—a great neighborhood that's close enough to downtown without being downtown—and is pretty affordable considering all that you get. In addition to being a spankin' new unit with quartz countertops and hardwood floors, there's rooftop access with views of the Sound and Olympic Mountains, entertainment rooms with billiards and ping pong, and in-unit laundry. And 10 Starbucks locations within walking distance (probably).
Image courtesy of Vive Apartments Weidner Apartment Homes.
SAN FRANCISCO: $1795, studio, 250 square feet (estimate)
After reading some of the horror stories about how crazy it can be to rent in San Francisco, we were surprised to find this studio for under $1800 in Lower Nob Hill. The only catch—the realtor has conveniently left out the square footage, which appears to be snug even for most hobbits. You might have to put some of your belongings in storage, but for your own spot this close to the Tenderloin, it's really not that bad of a deal.
NYC: $2,000, studio, 250 square feet (estimate)
Ok, this is a tough one. Rent can fluctuate wildly in this city depending on which borough or neighborhood you're looking in, so just for kicks, we thought we'd see what we could find in the East Village for $2K. To no one's surprise, we found a shoebox. But it's a supremely located shoebox! It's a tiny studio in NYC, so nothing is included—but who cares because it's in the East Village. Living here would definitely mean spending most of your time out of the apartment, which is exactly why you'd be living here in the first place.
Image courtesy of Alpha Properties NYC I LLC.
CHICAGO: $2,000, 2 bed, 800 square feet (estimate)
Now we're talking! With regard to bang for your buck, this spot in Lincoln Park is where it's at. With a newly renovated kitchen with stainless steel goods, mostly hardwood floors, and a faux fire place (faux'er place?), this unit was made for dinner parties and spreading out. Plus, there's a sweet bike room to keep your wheels safe and warm from the Chicago winters.
Image courtesy of Fulton Grace Realty.
AUSTIN: $1962, 1 bed, 856 square feet
Everything really is bigger in Texas, including this massive 1-bedroom loft apartment (with a mezzanine!) located in downtown Austin. The complex has everything you need, from rooftop access to poolside grills, and the common areas look like places you'd actually want to hang out in. It's got just the right amount of character with plenty of options to make it feel like your own.
Image courtesy of Sur512.
DETROIT: $1925, 1 bed, 1,414 square feet
Nowhere has seen such dramatic shifts in real estate in the last decade as Detroit, which remains one of the most affordable cities in the country. Here $2K will get you nearly 1,500 square feet of newly renovated space in the heart of downtown. Included: View of Ford Field, a private parking garage, and a spiral staircase to make you feel extra fancy. Included but not pictured: Access to the best Middle Eastern food in the U.S. in nearby Dearborn, MI.
Image courtesy of The Lofts at Merchants Row.
