Austin rent in October 2026 ranges from about $1,326 to $1,972 depending on the source: Apartment List reports a median of $1,326, Apartments.com an average apartment rent of $1,417, and Zillow an all-property average of $1,972. One-bedrooms run roughly $1,174 to $1,417. The gap comes from what each source measures, so this guide breaks down the 2026 data by bedroom, property type, and city and cites where each figure comes from.
Key Insights Into Austin's Rental Market
- The answer depends on the source: Apartment List reports a $1,326 median, Apartments.com a $1,417 apartment average, and Zillow a $1,972 all-property average (October 2026).
- Most measures are flat to falling: Apartment List shows rents down 2.3% and Zillow down $28 from a year earlier, while Apartments.com shows asking rents up 1.7%.
- Austin is below Dallas and Houston: The August 2026 metro median was $1,300, compared with $1,417 in Dallas-Fort Worth and $1,336 in Houston.
- Property type matters: A two-bedroom averages $1,832 as an apartment and $2,374 as a house (Apartments.com, October 2026).
- Suburbs are rising: Several suburbs, including Leander (up 11.5%) and Round Rock (up 6.2%), saw rents rise while the city of Austin fell 1.9%.
- New supply drove the drop: Austin added about 120,000 housing units from 2015 to 2024, a 30% increase (Pew).
Whether you are relocating or renting before you buy, the figures below will help you set a realistic budget. If you are weighing a move, read our guide on whether Austin is a good place to live.
Average Rent in Austin Right Now
Rent in Austin has eased from its 2022 peak. Apartment List's October 2026 data shows a median of $1,326 across all unit sizes, below the U.S. median of $1,388. Apartments.com also puts Austin's average apartment rent about 15% below the national average of $1,667. Apartment List derives these figures from Census Bureau rent statistics and updates them with its own listing data.
| Austin rent measure (October 2026) | Austin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent, all sizes | $1,326 | $1,388 |
| Median rent, 1 bedroom | $1,174 | $1,220 |
| Median rent, 2 bedroom | $1,429 | Not reported |
| Change over 12 months | Down 2.3% | Down 0.4% |
| Income needed for 1 bedroom at 30% of income | About $46,960 a year | Not reported |
| Income needed for 2 bedroom at 30% of income | About $57,160 a year | Not reported |
Source: Apartment List, Austin cost of living (October 2026 Rent Index, estimates as of September 2026). The 30% figure is a planning benchmark, not a landlord qualification rule. Last updated October 2026.
Average Rent by Bedroom Count
Apartments.com and Zillow both publish Austin averages by bedroom count. Apartments.com covers apartment listings only, so its figures are for that property type, while Zillow includes houses, condos, and townhomes, which is why the all-sizes averages differ so much.
| Bedrooms (October 2026) | Apartments.com, apartments | Zillow, all rental types |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,230 | $1,140 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,417 | $1,249 |
| 2 bedroom | $1,832 | $1,695 |
| 3 bedroom | $2,451 | $2,300 |
| All sizes average | $1,417 (up 1.7% from a year earlier) | $1,972 (down $28 from a year earlier) |
Sources: Apartments.com Austin rent market trends (apartments only, October 2026) and Zillow Rental Manager Austin market trends (all property types, average rent, updated October 14, 2026). Zillow also lists a four-bedroom average of $9,950, which reflects a small number of high-priced homes, so it is omitted here. Last updated October 2026.
Why Different Sources Report Different Averages
You will see Austin rent quoted anywhere from about $1,300 to more than $1,800, and each number can be correct. The differences come from what is being measured:
- Asking rent vs. what renters pay: Asking rents reflect new listings, while effective rents account for concessions such as free months.
- Apartments vs. all rentals: Single-family homes and townhouses rent for much more than apartments, so a source that includes them reports a higher figure.
- City vs. metro: The city of Austin and the five-county metro have different medians.
- Median vs. average: A few high-end units can pull an average above the median.
As another example, a realtor.com analysis cited by KUT: the median asking rent for an Austin apartment was $1,357 in February 2026, down from a peak of $1,659 in September 2022 and down more than 7% from February 2025.
How Austin Rent Compares With Other Metros
Austin costs less than Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston at the median, more than San Antonio, and far less than coastal metros such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. Read our guides to moving from Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Chicago, or compare San Antonio and Austin.
| Metro (August 2026) | Median rent, all sizes | Change from a year earlier | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown | $1,300 | Down 2.9% | $1,143 | $1,372 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $1,417 | Down 2.3% | $1,224 | $1,453 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $1,336 | Down 2.2% | $1,136 | $1,337 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $1,148 | Down 5.1% | $970 | $1,178 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $2,200 | Down 1.0% | $1,890 | $2,357 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $1,750 | Up 3.2% | n/a | n/a |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley | $2,985 | Up 11.0% | n/a | n/a |
Source: Apartment List Rent Index, August 2026, metro-wide medians. "n/a" means the source did not list that figure. Last updated October 2026.
Austin's rents fell 2.9% over the year, while San Francisco's rose 11.0%. For a deeper comparison, see Austin vs. the Bay Area.
Average Rent by Property Type and City
Rents differ widely by property type and location. Apartments are usually the least expensive option at smaller sizes, while houses, condos, and townhomes cost more as the bedroom count rises.
| Property type (October 2026) | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom | 4 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apartments | $1,417 | $1,832 | $2,451 | Not reported |
| Houses | $1,296 | $2,374 | $2,593 | $4,207 |
| Condos | $2,064 | $2,224 | $3,216 | $4,515 |
| Townhomes | $1,408 | $1,562 | $2,203 | $3,411 |
Source: Apartments.com Austin rent market trends, average asking rent by bedroom count, October 2026. Averages for houses and condos are based on fewer listings and can swing from month to month. Last updated October 2026.
City-level data from Doorstead shows a split between Austin, where rents are falling, and nearby suburbs, where rents are rising from a lower base of supply.
| City (September 2026) | Median rent, all property types | Change from a year earlier | Average days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $1,713 | Down 1.9% | 59 |
| Round Rock | $2,063 | Up 6.2% | 48 |
| Cedar Park | $1,999 | Up 0.2% | 47 |
| Georgetown | $2,004 | Up 5.9% | 49 |
| Leander | $2,175 | Up 11.5% | 47 |
| Pflugerville | $2,100 | Up 5.1% | 47 |
| Manor | $1,900 | Up 4.4% | 58 |
| Kyle | $1,688 | Up 2.6% | 55 |
| San Marcos | $1,500 | No change | 63 |
Source: Doorstead Greater Austin rental market report, September 2026. Doorstead is a property management company, and its benchmarks reflect its data sources and managed properties, so treat them as one view of the market. Last updated October 2026.
Central and luxury buildings cost more than older properties farther from the urban core. If you want an urban lifestyle, see our guides to downtown Austin and downtown Austin condo buildings.
Why Austin Rents Fell From Their Peak
Austin experienced the steepest rent increases of any major U.S. city from 2010 to 2019, rising nearly 93%, according to Pew Research. Since then, a construction boom has reversed the trend.
- Median rent fell about 16%: Pew reported a drop from $1,546 in December 2021 to $1,296 in January 2026.
- Austin went from above to below the U.S. median: It was 15% above in December 2021 and 4% below in January 2026.
- Supply surged: About 120,000 units were added from 2015 to 2024, a 30% increase compared with 9% nationally.
- Large buildings saw the biggest decline: Rents in buildings with 50 or more units fell 7% from 2023 to 2024, the steepest drop of any large U.S. metro.
With more units to choose from, many landlords have competed for tenants. Rents may change again as new construction slows, so check current figures before you budget.
What You Need to Earn and Other Monthly Costs
Rent is only part of your monthly budget. Apartment List estimates that a solo renter in a median one-bedroom needs about $1,691 a month for rent, electricity, and groceries alone, and the table shows other planning costs.
| Monthly cost beyond rent | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Electricity (Austin Energy, 500 kWh) | About $77 |
| Water and wastewater (Austin Water, 2,000 gallons) | About $44, often billed through the property |
| Local bus and Rapid (CapMetro) | $1.25 per ride, $41.25 monthly cap, rising to $1.50 and $49.50 on January 10, 2027 |
| Groceries, one adult | About $440 |
| Solo 1 bedroom: rent, electricity, and groceries | About $1,691 |
Source: Apartment List, planning estimates for FY2027 utility rates; excludes water, transportation, internet, insurance, and parking in the total. Last updated October 2026.
Many leases also add fees for parking, pets, trash, and amenities, so ask for the full monthly cost before you apply.
Tips for Finding an Affordable Rental in Austin
With rents lower than they were at the peak, renters have more room to negotiate. These tips can help.
Ask About Lease Concessions
Many properties offer incentives such as a free month, reduced deposits, or discounted parking. Look for phrases such as "1 month free" in listings, and ask about specials even when they are not advertised. Newer complexes that are leasing up often offer the most.
Search During the Off-Season
Demand often peaks in summer, so a winter search may find more flexibility from landlords with vacancies to fill. Ask about price drops on units that have been listed for a while.
Widen Your Search Area
Looking beyond the central core can lower your rent, but check current prices first because some suburbs are rising. Compare a few neighborhoods by commute time as well as by price.
Consider Roommates or Shared Housing
Splitting a two-bedroom lowers your share. Apartment List estimates about $28,580 a year in income per renter for a median two-bedroom split two ways, compared with about $46,960 for a solo one-bedroom.
Use Free Apartment Locating Services
Locators are typically paid by properties and may know about specials that are not widely advertised. They can narrow your options by budget and location.
Show Strong Credit and Rental History
A solid credit score, stable income, and good references can help you negotiate, especially on units that have been vacant for a while.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Austin
What is the average rent in Austin, TX in 2026?
It depends on the source. In October 2026, Apartment List reported a median of $1,326 across all sizes, Apartments.com reported an average apartment rent of $1,417, and Zillow reported an all-property average of $1,972. The differences come from apartments only versus all property types and from median versus average. Doorstead's September 2026 median for the city was $1,713.
How much is a one-bedroom apartment in Austin?
A one-bedroom in Austin costs about $1,174 at the median (Apartment List, October 2026), $1,417 on average for apartments (Apartments.com, October 2026), and $1,249 on average across all rental types (Zillow, October 2026). Newer buildings and central locations usually cost more than older properties farther from downtown.
How much do you need to make to rent in Austin?
Using the common rule that rent should be about 30% of gross income, a median one-bedroom needs roughly $46,960 a year and a median two-bedroom roughly $57,160, according to Apartment List. Landlords set their own income requirements, which are often a multiple of the monthly rent.
Are rents going down in Austin?
Mostly yes, though sources differ. Austin's median rent fell 2.3% over the 12 months through September 2026 (Apartment List), the metro median fell 2.9% from August 2025 to August 2026, and Zillow's all-property average was down $28 from a year earlier. Apartments.com's average apartment asking rent rose 1.7% over the same period. Pew Research reported that the median rent fell from $1,546 in December 2021 to $1,296 in January 2026. Some suburbs saw increases, so the trend differs by city and property type.
Is Austin cheaper than Dallas or Houston?
On a metro-wide basis, yes. In August 2026 the Austin metro median was $1,300, compared with $1,417 in Dallas-Fort Worth and $1,336 in Houston. San Antonio was lower at $1,148. Individual neighborhoods and property types vary widely.
Why did Austin rents fall?
A large supply of new apartments is the main reason. Pew reported that Austin added about 120,000 housing units from 2015 to 2024, a 30% increase compared with 9% nationally, and permitted 957 apartments per 100,000 residents from 2021 to 2023. More choices gave renters more leverage and kept asking rents down.
Renting vs. Buying in Austin
Lower rents make renting more attractive in the short term, but renting and owning have different costs and benefits. Compare your monthly rent with the full cost of owning, including property taxes and insurance, before you decide. Our guide on whether buying a house in Austin is still worth it walks through the numbers.
Not sure whether to keep renting or start looking at homes? Our agents can compare your rent with the real cost of owning in Austin.
Talk to a Spyglass AgentSources: Apartment List, Apartment List Rent Index, Apartments.com, Zillow, KUT, Pew Research, and Doorstead. Rent figures vary by source and methodology and change often. This article is for general information only. Last updated October 2026.
