By Andrew DePietro, Finance Writer
If you want to move to a city that's better for your budget -- or maybe just to a different housing complex in your current city -- you need to compare all of the apartments for rent. However, comparing the cost of apartments from city to city is a tedious process that involves tons of Google searching and number-crunching.
For this reason, GOBankingRates conducted a study of what the average one-bedroom apartment costs in 50 major U.S. cities. This study looked at various factors, including the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment, the average square footage, the cost of basic monthly utilities and each city's walkability score, which is based on a scale from 0 to 100.
In order to provide the most comprehensive apartment guide to cities across the country, GOBankingRates also identified the percentage of apartments for rent in each city that have the following amenities: dishwashers, washer-dryers, a pool, fitness center access, pet-friendly units and parking.
To better understand where your city -- or soon-to-be city -- ranks nationally, here are the averages for each factor from all 50 cities on the list:
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,234.43
- Square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 678.32 square feet
- Cost of basic utilities: $147.06
- Walkability score: 52
- Percentage of apartments for rent with a dishwasher: 68%
- Percentage of apartments for rent with a washer-dryer: 39%
- Percentage of apartments for rent with a pool: 61%
- Percentage of apartments for rent with a fitness center: 53%
- Percentage of pet-friendly apartments for rent: 26%
- Percentage of apartments for rent that have parking, either covered or with a garage: 36%
Click through to see how much the average apartment costs in 50 major U.S. cities. The cities are listed in order of population from smallest to largest.
1. Newark, N.J.
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $850
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 650 sq. ft.
- Cost of basic monthly utilities: $146.33
- Walkability score: 80
Newark ranks in the top 20 cities with the lowest median rent for a one-bedroom apartment. Getting around on foot in Newark isn't too bad either; this city is the No. 4 most walkable city.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 40%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 25%
- Apartments with a pool: 9%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 23%
- Apartments with parking: 34%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 19%
2. Anchorage, Alaska
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $995
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 593.12 sq. ft.
- Cost of basic monthly utilities: $222.92
- Walkability score: 32
The median rent for Anchorage apartments is just under $1,000 per month. But apartments in Anchorage rank third highest in the cost of utilities. Unsurprisingly, Anchorage apartments for rent aren't big on pools.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 29%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 22%
- Apartments with a pool: 0%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 16%
- Apartments with parking: 25%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 44%
3. Pittsburgh
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,850
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 604 sq. ft.
- Cost of basic monthly utilities: $174
- Walkability score: 61
The average rent for Pittsburgh apartments increased by over $300 in the last seven years, from $627 in July 2009 to $958 in February 2016, according to RentJungle.com. And the most expensive apartments for rent in Pittsburgh are in Squirrel Hill North, Strip District and South Side Slopes.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 65%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 33%
- Apartments with a pool: 38%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 41%
- Apartments with parking: 35%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 20%
4. St. Louis, Mo.
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $700
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 672 sq. ft.
- Cost of basic monthly utilities: $142.92
- Walkability score: 64
St. Louis apartments rank seventh in terms of cities with the cheapest median rent for one-bedroom apartments. Another perk of apartments in St. Louis is the high prevalence of dishwashers.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 79%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 30%
- Apartments with a pool: 69%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 53%
- Apartments with parking: 25%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 24%
5. Anaheim, Calif.
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,606
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 775.64 sq. ft.
- Cost of basic monthly utilities: $127.90
- Walkability score: 53
Anaheim apartments offer low utility bills but high rents. But, many apartments for rent in Anaheim offer some great amenities, including pools.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 68%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 28%
- Apartments with a pool: 82%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 57%
- Apartments with parking: 64%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 35%
6. Honolulu
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,795
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 538.50 sq. ft.
- Cost of basic monthly utilities: $228.53
- Walkability score: 63
Hawaii might have natural beauty, but Honolulu apartments have the second-highest monthly utility costs. And, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is high as well. Honolulu also doesn't have many pet-friendly apartments for rent.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 40%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 60%
- Apartments with a pool: 60%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 80%
- Apartments with parking: 31%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 2%
7. Tampa, Fla.
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,100
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 697.56
- Cost of basic utilities per month: $127.26
- Walkability score: 49
One-bedroom apartments in Tampa have a lot going for them, including above-average square footage. Plus, Tampa apartments have fairly cheap utilities.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 84%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 55%
- Apartments with a pool: 92%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 84%
- Apartments with parking: 26%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 27%
8. New Orleans
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,297.50
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 695.86 sq. ft.
- Cost of basic monthly utilities: $157.99
- Walkability score: 57
One-bedroom apartments in New Orleans rank in the top 20 for highest median rent. If you're looking for cheaper apartments for rent, the least expensive neighborhoods are Little Woods, Viavant-Venetian Isles and West Lake Forest, according to Rent Jungle.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 86%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 64%
- Apartments with a pool: 77%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 47%
- Apartments with parking: 20%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 39%
9. Wichita, Kan.
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $470
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 595.30 sq. ft.
- Cost of basic monthly utilities: $153.75
- Walkability score: 34
Wichita is the cheapest city on this list for one-bedroom apartments, with a median rent of only $470. And, a good portion of Wichita apartments for rent feature key amenities.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 90%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 26%
- Apartments with a pool: 76%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 56%
- Apartments with parking: 53%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 38%
10. Cleveland
- Median rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $525
- Average square footage of 1-bedroom apartment: 650 sq. ft.
- Cost of basic monthly utilities: $114.05
- Walkability score: 59
Cleveland ranks as the city with the second-lowest median rent of $525 for a one-bedroom apartment. And, this city has one of the cheapest monthly utilities. A high percentage of Cleveland apartments also provide dishwashers and parking.
- Apartments with a dishwasher: 72%
- Apartments with a washer-dryer: 26%
- Apartments with a pool: 45%
- Apartments with a fitness center: 47%
- Apartments with parking: 69%
- Pet-friendly apartments: 42%
This is just a glimpse of what the average apartment looks like in 50 U.S. cities. To see your city and cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City, check out the full apartment guide at GOBankingRates >>>
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