She Strengthens

The Real Cost of Rent Across the US

When it comes to understanding the cost of living in a city, there’s no better way to get a sense of reality than by asking the people who live there. In a recent post, I asked readers to share their rent prices, and the responses were overwhelming. From coast to coast, people shared their experiences, providing a unique glimpse into the diverse range of rent prices across the US.

My Story

I’ll start by sharing my own experience. I pay $747 a month to live in a two-bedroom apartment in Echo Park, Los Angeles, which I share with a roommate. Our place is located near downtown, technically in Historic Filipinotown, which helps keep our rent at a reasonable price for LA. While my room is small by LA standards, our apartment has a nice kitchen and living room, and we’re just half a mile from the lake and walking distance from great coffee shops and bars.

Reader Responses

But I’m not alone. Here’s what some of our readers had to say:

Rural Suburb of Chicago

• Egust01 pays $1100 a month for a 2,500 square foot, 4BR/2.5B house in a rural suburb of Chicago, which they purchased last summer with their partner.

Indianapolis

• Sarah pays $360 a month for a room in a 3-bedroom house with roommates, totaling $1,080.

Central Brooklyn

• Kathleen Murphy pays $650 a month for a 3-bedroom apartment, which will increase to $700 in June when she moves into a new place.

Chicago

• Liz the Engineer pays $1500 a month for a 4-bedroom, 2-bath apartment in Bronzeville, split four ways with roommates.

San Francisco

• Sam pays $2300 a month for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Inner Richmond, which they share with one other person.

Santa Cruz

• Tobi pays $2400 a month for a 1-bedroom apartment in a well-maintained complex, just half a block from the beach.

Vancouver

• Jack pays $1525 a month for a 500sqft studio with a great view of BC Place and False Creek.

Boston

• Heather pays $1400 a month for a 1-bedroom apartment in a triple decker house with a backyard, heat, and hot water included.

Baltimore

• Lazuliz pays $1000 a month for a 2-bdrm, 1.5 bath apartment in the Pigtown neighborhood, with very low utilities.

Philadelphia

• NL pays $1700 a month for a 2,000 sqft 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath home in Northern Liberties.

San Jose

• Alyjarrett pays $2312 a month for a 1-bedroom apartment, including $50 pet rent for their 2 cats.

Miami Beach

• Jane pays $2575 a month for a 2-bedroom apartment right on the beach with bay views, pool, gym, and a huge wrap-around balcony.

North Dallas

• AN pays $560 a month for a 510 sq ft one-bedroom loft, with electric and internet bills totaling $110 a month.

New York City

• Tara pays ~$1,176 a month for a 3-bedroom apartment in Morningside Heights, with two roommates.

San Diego

• Julia Cassels pays $2700 a month for a 2-bedroom house, with utilities adding another $300.

Long Beach

• KJO pays $1000 a month for a large 1-bedroom bungalow with a great backyard, plus $150 in utilities.

Pittsburgh

• Katie_does pays $640 a month for a studio apartment in Squirrel Hill, and will soon move into a 3-bedroom duplex with her boyfriend for $1475 a month.

Detroit

• HampshireGrad pays $525 a month for a studio apartment in Downtown Detroit.

San Francisco

• Shannon S. pays $2700 a month for a studio apartment in the Mission District, split with her boyfriend.

Chicago

• Ashley Wolfgang pays $925 a month for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ravenswood, split with her boyfriend.

Southern Town

• The one true emma pays $1000 a month for a 2-bedroom house with a huge garage and big attic storage space, split with her boyfriend.

These responses show that rent prices vary greatly depending on the location, size, and amenities of the apartment or house. While some cities have notoriously high rent prices, others offer more affordable options. Ultimately, the cost of rent is just one factor to consider when choosing where to live.