First Time Apartment Renter Tips
Make your first apartment living experience a great one. Follow these first-time renter tips so you can enjoy (and find your way through) all the aspects of being a renter!
The University of Texas at Austin is among the most respected institutions in the country, offering a superb academic climate in one of America’s most vibrant and exciting cities. Longhorns games at Texas Memorial Stadium and the Frank Erwin Center always offer a wild time with thousands of your closest friends. Free activities on campus like movies at the Texas Union ensure that you’ll always have something to do even if cash is a little tight. Guadalupe Street along the western edge of campus is packed with great bars, venues, and restaurants (prepare to fall in love with Torchy’s Tacos); this area is also where you’ll find the most affordable and abundant apartments, condos, and houses within walking distance of the main campus. Downtown Austin is only a few blocks away, putting the best of Austin at your fingertips – between the 6th Street nightlife and the live music basically everywhere, there’s no limit to the possibilities for your after-hours adventures. When you’re feeling adventurous, head over to the Shoal Creek Greenbelt or Ladybird Lake for outdoor fun in the heart of the city.
Bevo, the Longhorns mascot
A beautiful view of the UT campus
Aerial view of the UT campus
Texas Memorial Stadium, home of the Longhorns
As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Austin, TX is $1,202 for a studio, $1,380 for one bedroom, $1,795 for two bedrooms, and $2,390 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Austin has decreased by -5.0% in the past year.
Studio
468 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,202/month
Average Rent
1 BR
713 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,380/month
Average Rent
2 BR
1,064 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,795/month
Average Rent
3 BR
1,382 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$2,390/month
Average Rent
Make your first apartment living experience a great one. Follow these first-time renter tips so you can enjoy (and find your way through) all the aspects of being a renter!
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly University of Texas at Austin Austin Campus - Austin, TX (University) is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.
Some Transit
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Bikeable
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Public
Grades PK-5
Public
Grades PK-5
Public
Grades PK-5
Laurel Mountain Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
Laura Welch Bush Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades 6-8
The University of Texas at Austin International High School
Public
Grades 9-12
Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA)
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades 9-12
Richards School For Young Women Leaders
Public
Grades 6-12
Public
Grades 9-12
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
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3,491
Communities
958,581
Units
894
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716
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198,387
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338
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631
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228
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.