Studio vs. 1-Bedroom in an Austin High Rise

The cheapest way into a downtown tower

For many renters, a studio is the entry ticket to high rise living. Many towers’ advertised starting rents are studios, which is how The Quincy starts at $1,369 and Solaris House at $1,415. The question is whether a studio fits your life, or whether a 1BR is worth the step up. Here’s how we compare them for renters in our affordable high rise apartments search.

Side by side

	Studio (0BR)	1-Bedroom
Price	Lowest in the building	Higher
Layout	One open room plus bath	Separate bedroom with a door
Work from home	Harder to separate work and sleep	Easier
Guests and partners	Tight	Comfortable
Furniture	Needs careful planning	More flexible
Utilities	Lower	Slightly higher

Which towers offer studios

Most of our towers offer studios. Towers with studios and starting rents under $2,000 include The Quincy, Solaris House, Skyhouse Austin, The Waller, 700 River, Northshore, The Bowen and The Bowie. A few towers start at 1 bedroom, including Ashton Austin, Seven, Hanover Brazos Street, Alexan Waterloo, Avenir, Gables Park Tower, The Catherine and The Modern Austin Residences. Check the buildings directory for each tower’s bedroom range.

The floor-vs-size trade-off

This is where studios get interesting. Because floor and view move price so much, a studio on a high floor can cost about the same as a 1BR on a low floor in the same tower. You’re choosing between:

• More view: the higher-floor studio, with a better outlook and often less street noise
• More space: the lower-floor 1BR, with a door between bed and living room

If you’re home a lot or work from home, space usually wins. If you’re out most of the time and love the view, the studio often does.

The middle option: convertible studios and small 1BRs

A convertible studio has an alcove or partition that creates a separate sleeping area. It’s a good compromise for privacy at a studio-like price. Some towers also have compact 1BRs that cost only a little more than their largest studios.

Compare net, not gross

A studio with no concession can cost more than a 1BR with 2 months free. Always compare net effective rent. See net effective rent explained.

Who a studio suits

• Single renters who are out most evenings
• Renters who want a specific building or district on a tight budget
• Short-term or first-year Austin renters
• Anyone who’d rather spend on location than square footage

Making a studio work

If you choose a studio, a few habits make it feel bigger:

• Zone the room. A rug, a bookshelf or a curtain separates sleeping from living.
• Choose multipurpose furniture. A daybed, a drop-leaf table or storage ottomans earn their space.
• Use vertical storage. Tall shelves and wall hooks keep the floor clear.
• Lean on the building. Co-working lounges, the gym and the pool deck become extensions of your home, which is one reason studios work so well in amenity-rich towers.

When to step up to a 1BR

• You work from home more than two days a week
• You live with a partner or often host overnight guests
• You have a large dog
• You keep regular hours different from a roommate or partner

The net rent comparison

Because many towers’ starting rents are studios, the advertised gap between a studio and a 1BR can look large. Compare net effective rents for the specific units, on similar floors, with current concessions applied. In some buildings the gap narrows enough that the 1BR is worth it; in others, the studio is clearly the better value. With 6–10 weeks free typical across Austin right now (Q2 2026, Matthews), the comparison changes month to month, so check it when you’re ready to sign.

Who should go 1BR

• Remote workers
• Couples
• Renters with lots of furniture or a large dog

We’ll price both in every tower on your list, including floor options, so you can see the real trade-off.