Here's What $800 in Rent Looks Like in 12 Top U.S. Cities
Spoiler alert: it looks very, very small in Manhattan. Grab your glasses, you'll need to squint.

halbergman

Paying rent each month is the new norm for many Americans, myself included. But the question is: how much is everyone paying and what does that cost look like?
Suddenly feeling super curious about the cost of living outside your current zip code? You're in luck. I put my curiosity (read: nosiness) to action and threw myself into rental research to uncover what one person is able to call home with a budget of $800 each month. Fun fact: I quickly uncovered that in these U.S. cities with this budget, you’ll need a roommate to keep a roof over your head at all.
Atlanta, GA

Studio Jaki Photography
It’s crucial to pair up in this peach-loving city, pals. That said, it will be more than worth it. Atlanta renters can snag a sleek, contemporary 2 BD/2 BA apartment for around $1,600, or $800 per person. Bonus: this rental in ATL often comes packed with luxe finishes throughout the ~1,000 square-foot unit.
Austin, TX

Tana Nesbitt
Spend $800 in this artsy, edgy Texas city and you can live comfortably in a newly-renovated 400 square-foot, 1 BD/1BA apartment. I spotted a unit at this price that included a parking space, laundry on site and a walk-in closet. Talk about a steal, y’all.
Charlotte, NC

Claire Esparros for Homepolish
Live like a queen in the Queen City! I’m fortunate enough to call Charlotte my home and for $725 a month, someone else could too! CLT renters can snag a sweet spot in the sought-after Elizabeth neighborhood in a charming, cozy 1 BD/ 1 BA, 750 square-foot apartment that boasts totally unique, Craftsman details throughout.
Denver, CO

Prepare for some sticker shock, Southerners. Our renting friends out West can't do much with an $800 budget. After digging around the web, I spotted a 386 square-foot apartment for $895 per month. Unfortunately, that was a steal as most Denver studios started at or above $1,300 each month.
Fayetteville, AR

Image courtesy of Ben Rollins
We should all pick up and move to Arkansas, friends. For a measly $900 a month, Fayetteville renters can play house in a 1,300 square-foot, 3 BD/2 BA home with a lovely, lush lawn out front. Divvy that rent between 2-3 people and we’re looking at record-breaking rent prices over here, right?
Los Angeles, CA

MATTHEW WILLIAMS
Apparently, living like an angel doesn’t come cheap. If your budget is $800 in L.A., you’ll need to find a roommate ASAP. You’ll be splitting $1600 each month for a bare-bones, 1 BD/1 BA studio apartment. Did I mention that it’s street parking only?
Nashville, TN

Two roomies can spend $750 a month to live in an expansive and adorable 1,400 square-foot brick bungalow near the heart of downtown Nashville. The space I spotted came with 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a yard and private parking. Find a roommate for all four bedrooms and we’re talking $375 a month!
New Orleans, LA

Living large in the Big Easy is easy to do, y’all. For $850, NOLA renters can set up shop in a historic, 925 square-foot duplex apartment. The space I spotted comes complete with crown molding, original fireplace, a claw foot tub and endless character. Live there on your own or enlist a roommate for super-low pay.
New York City, NY

Photos courtesy Ori Systems
If you’ve got $737 to spare, you can lock down a 373 square-foot studio in Manhattan. So, good news and bad news. The bad? You’re paying almost eight hundred bucks each month to live in a shoe box. The silver lining? Your shoe box is in Manhattan and it comes equipped with a bathroom.
Oklahoma City, OK

OKC is the place to be! With our $800 budget, renters can secure super-cool spots throughout the city. I found a spacious, 1,100 square-foot, 2 BD / 1 BA unit in a handsome, brick duplex apartment building. It featured an expansive kitchen, a fireplace and a huge, covered balcony for entertaining.
Seattle, WA

Morgan Blake Beatton
Rent rates for 500 square-foot studios near the Space Needle begin anywhere between $990-$1,500, on average. For the budget we’re playing with, Seattle renters will need to be sure they like their roommate — a lot. They’ll become really close, whether they like it or not.
Washington, D.C.

Alyssa Kirsten
A simple, 640 square-foot, 1 BA studio apartment in our nation’s capital will run renters around $1,600 per month. At the risk of sounding repetitive, yes, you’ll need a roommate. Something to keep in mind, though? Your shared studio will include one bathroom. And really, who needs personal space with all those beautiful, blooming cherry blossoms during spring?