In some areas, renters are paying more than 30 percent of their income for an apartment to rent, while others spend more than half, according to a 2020 Harvard University study.
To stay on budget, you have to understand how far your dollar goes in your city. For example, $2,000 in New York City may not get you the same housing as it would in Phoenix.
We took on the task to explore apartments for rent in 10 cities across the U.S. to find out just how much you can get, from square footage to amenities to neighborhood, for $2,000 a month before you plan to move.
Fairfield at Far Rockaway — New York City
Source: Fairfield at Far Rockaway
New York City is infamous for its high rent prices, and it’s not surprising to pay in the thousands of dollars for a small apartment in one of the most popular neighborhoods. Broker’s fees, security deposits and moving fees can quickly add up in the Big Apple, so often, people go right outside of it to save in housing costs and be able to commute to the city.
Head to Queens to get a bit more space for your $2,000 a month budget. At Fairfield at Far Rockaway, you can rent a pet-friendly studio within your budget and choose different layouts.
You get a washer/dryer in your unit, dishwasher, hardwood flooring and air conditioning for those hot New York days. On the weekends, head to Atlantic Beach or Long Beach only a few minutes away to soak up the sun.
— San Francisco
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San Francisco‘s proximity to Silicon Valley has made rent prices skyrocket, thanks to demand from local tech companies and startups. Your money doesn’t go as far in the area, unfortunately. But for $2,000 a month, you can get a pet-friendly studio apartment at — available furnished or unfurnished with a shared outdoor area for grilling
Right in the Dogpatch neighborhood, this 391-square-feet studio apartment is only five minutes from the MUNI station and boasts a walking score of 93, thanks to all the nearby restaurants, breweries and farmers markets.
NCT Lofts — Los Angeles
Source: NCT Lofts
Live in trendy downtown Los Angeles for a budget of $2,000 per month at NCT Lofts. This one-bedroom, one-bathroom loft offers an open layout, a balcony, high ceilings, stainless steel appliances, fitness center and central air. Don’t miss the rooftop lounge and vintage game room.
You’ll get all of the benefits of living right downtown with Whole Foods and several restaurants only a few minutes by foot. Chinatown, Little Tokyo and the Arts District are easily accessible from this location with plenty of dining and entertainment options.
915 Glenwood — Atlanta
Source: 915 Glenwood
Atlanta‘s rent prices have increased significantly in the past five years — including a 4.8 percent jump between 2018 and 2019. But you can still get a lot of space for your buck, depending on the neighborhood. If you’re looking for an affordable apartment with tons of amenities and proximity to the Atlanta BeltLine, head to the east side of town.
Right near East Atlanta, you can find a dog-friendly, two-bedroom apartment at 915 Glenwood within the $2,000 per month budget. You get access to the fitness center and a pool, along with beautiful finishes in the apartment. It’s also near bars, restaurants and venues just down the street, easily reachable via the bike lane.
Alexan 100 — Seattle
Source: Alexan 100
Right in the popular Seattle neighborhood of Lower Queen Anne, you can find Alexan 100 at the corner of Denny Way. Near the Space Needle, the pet-friendly building has more than 32-floor plans available. Within your $2,000 per month budget, you can grab one of their studios with stainless steel appliances, loft layout, vaulted ceiling, in-unit laundry and a fitness and recreation room.
While Seattle offers more affordable neighborhoods on the outer bands of the city, Lower Queen Anne takes the 10th spot as the most walkable neighborhood in the city at 92 points. You have restaurants, trails, dog parks and more at your fingertips.
Belmont Tower Apartments — Chicago
Source: Belmont Tower Apartments
You can find apartments for rent in Chicago across the budget spectrum, depending on the neighborhood. In East Lakeview, near Lincoln Park, you can find a beautiful two-bedroom home at Belmont Tower Apartments for $2,000 per month. The apartment has stainless steel appliances, gated access, a clubhouse and a stunning view from above.
East Lakeview has access to shopping, bars, small neighborhood restaurants and several music venues. As a resident, you can comfortably ride your bike to Lake Michigan and enjoy the shoreline on a warm day.
Mosaic Apartments — Dallas
Source: Mosaic Apartments
There’s a neighborhood in Dallas for every budget and your dollar goes far in the Texan city. You can grab a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at Mosaic Apartments for just less than $2,000 per month. At around 1,200 square feet, your pet-friendly apartment has a concierge service, access to the pool and fitness center, a dedicated garage and a DART Station right outside your door.
Catch a movie outside in the shared outdoor space or hop on the DART to explore downtown Dallas for a night on the town with the surrounding bars and restaurants.
The Angela — Phoenix
Source: The Angela
In Phoenix, $2,000 per month can take you a long way, especially if you’re looking for a bit of luxury. At The Angela, you can find a luxury one-bedroom apartment for right around this budget with walk-in closets, Energy Star stainless steel appliances, SONOS built-in speakers, in-home laundry and private balcony.
You’ll have access to the pool, the billiards lounge, dog park and spa, bocce court, fitness area and more amenities. The surrounding Camelback East neighborhood is home to the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, several shopping centers and parks.
Savannah at Park Central — Orlando
Source: Savannah at Park Central
Beyond Disney World, Orlando has a lot to offer when it comes to jobs and affordable housing. Only 15 minutes from downtown Orlando, you can grab a beautiful three-bedroom apartment at Savannah At Park Central. In the Park Central neighborhood, it’s well within your $2,000 monthly budget.
The 1,400-square-foot apartment comes with granite countertops, laundry in-unit, a patio deck, stainless steel appliances, swimming pool and various fitness courts. The neighborhood displays a true balance between the suburbs and city life, plus it’s only minutes away from Universal Studios.
i5 Union Market— Washington, DC
Source: i5 Union Market
The nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., has more to offer when it comes to $2,000 per month. You’ll want to be close to public transportation to avoid the rush hour around the nation’s capital. You can rent a pet-friendly studio apartment at i5 Union Market within that budget, with the red subway line just across the street.
The apartment also boasts some great amenities like assigned parking, extra storage, stainless steel appliances, a balcony and a private 10-person chef’s kitchen. The Ivy City neighborhood has some of the best restaurants in the city, including Michelin-starred Gravitas. You’ll also find distilleries and breweries that have revitalized the area.
Find the perfect apartments for rent
Having a tight budget can make your apartment search stressful, but with enough research and time to carefully consider the options, you can find some gems in your city.
Think about your must-haves (neighborhood, size) and what you’ve been willing to give up (space, amenities) when you look at apartment rentals, it will help you narrow down the list and find the one perfect for you
