Is a studio apartment cheaper than a one bedroom? Yes, with one caveat…a studio apartment is almost always cheaper than a one-bedroom apartment in terms of a total dollar amount per month, but usually more expensive on a dollar-per-square-foot basis.
Quick Summary Video (if you prefer)…and then keep reading…
What do you mean by more expensive per square foot?
Let’s say that you see a studio listed at $1,500/month and a 1 bedroom listed at $1,800/month…but if the studio is only 500 square feet (that’s $3/sq foot) whereas if the 1 bedroom apartment is 750 square feet (that’s $2.4 per square foot).
In this example, you are paying less per month, but 25% more per square foot.
Does it matter if I am paying more per square foot? Probably not if you don’t need the space. It’s a personal preference, and something to be aware of.
What is the Definition of Studios and One-Bedroom Apartments?
A studio apartment basically merges the dining area, kitchen, bedroom, and living room into a single room. There usually aren’t separation walls, except for the bathroom.
On the other hand, a one-bedroom apartment usually includes a separate bedroom and a defined living area. The kitchen may also be separate depending on the layout of the apartment.
As a rule of thumb, one-bedroom apartments are typically larger in size than studio apartments and offer distinct living areas.
Differences Between Studios and One-Bedrooms
Apart from the layout and size, there are some other differences between a studio and one-bedroom that you will need to consider if you are choosing between studios and one-bedroom apartments –
Rental Cost
A studio apartment will almost always cost less to rent than a one-bedroom apartment in the same area. But it is important to keep in mind that the lower rent directly corresponds to a smaller space and usually you are paying more per square foot for a studio apartment. If your biggest priority is the total dollar cost of rent, a studio may be a better choice.
Utility Usage
Utilities will depend on the way you use the apartment and how utilities are billed, so this is a difficult prediction. For example, if you are prudent in a one-bedroom with your electricity consumption but have your heaters and air conditioners on all day in a studio, then you will pay more for utilities in the studio (all else being equal). There are a lot of factors that go into utility cost so this is a difficult assumption to make.
Privacy
This depends on whether you are living alone or intend to share with a roommate. If you are planning to share with someone else, then a one-bedroom apartment may be a better choice to help maintain your privacy.
Entertainment
This depends on the number of people you want to entertain at once. But a studio apartment will likely be more cramped for space compared to a one-bedroom.
Working from Home
If you intend to work from home, then you may prefer the separation of a one-bedroom apartment. That being said, you could also create a segregated workspace within your studio too.
