Studio Apartment Rent in Houston, TX
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Houston, Texas as of August 2026. That's +19% lower than the citywide median of $1,561 and +2% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Houston
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Houston
Compare Houston's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Texas
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clute | $536 |
| 2 | Palestine | $646 |
| 3 | Corsicana | $700 |
| 4 | Harlingen | $705 |
| 5 | Brownsville | $707 |
| 6 | Bonham | $710 |
| 7 | Eagle Pass | $730 |
| 8 | Paris | $730 |
| 9 | Alton | $750 |
| 10 | Del Rio | $760 |
| 11 | Canyon | $770 |
| 12 | Huntsville | $770 |
| 13 | San Leon | $778 |
| 14 | Livingston | $780 |
| 15 | Nacogdoches | $780 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Texas
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University Park | $2,300 |
| 2 | Argyle | $2,300 |
| 3 | Flower Mound | $2,250 |
| 4 | Little Elm | $2,140 |
| 5 | Aledo | $2,060 |
| 6 | Justin | $2,030 |
| 7 | Lavon | $2,010 |
| 8 | Lakeway | $1,980 |
| 9 | Royse City | $1,930 |
| 10 | Keller | $1,930 |
| 11 | Haslet | $1,910 |
| 12 | Celina | $1,900 |
| 13 | Bellaire | $1,840 |
| 14 | Fresno | $1,830 |
| 15 | Coppell | $1,820 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Houston.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellaire, TX | 7.4 mi | $1,840 | +$576 (+46%) |
| Pasadena, TX | 14.8 mi | $1,123 | $-141 (-11%) |
| Pearland, TX | 14.8 mi | $1,125 | $-139 (-11%) |
| Humble, TX | 16.6 mi | $1,255 | $-9 (-1%) |
| Stafford, TX | 16.6 mi | $1,310 | +$46 (+4%) |
| Fresno, TX | 17 mi | $1,830 | +$566 (+45%) |
| Missouri City, TX | 17 mi | $1,705 | +$441 (+35%) |
| Channelview, TX | 17.5 mi | $950 | $-314 (-25%) |
| Deer Park, TX | 17.7 mi | $1,250 | $-14 (-1%) |
| Manvel, TX | 19.2 mi | $1,000 | $-264 (-21%) |
| Sugar Land, TX | 20.8 mi | $1,720 | +$456 (+36%) |
| Atascocita, TX | 20.9 mi | $1,570 | +$306 (+24%) |
Studio rent in Houston — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Houston?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Houston, Texas is $1,264 per month. This is +19% below the citywide median of $1,561.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Houston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $50,560 ($4,213/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.31/hour at a full-time job.
Is Houston expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Houston's studio median of $1,264 is +2% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 48th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Houston rank for studio rent in Texas?
Among the 240 cities in Texas with studio data, Houston ranks #136 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Houston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Pasadena ($1,123), Pearland ($1,125), Humble ($1,255).