# Can I rent near UT for under $1,000 a month?

Axis lists a private bedroom at **$925 a month for 2027–28**, before some fees. Add the example **$65 for utilities and $15 for insurance**, and you’re at **$1,005 a month** before anything else.

[Compare total cost](https://utaustin.guide/housing?year=2027-28&privacy=private&sort=price)

**In this guide**

1. What fits your monthly budget?
2. Three private-bedroom plans to compare
3. Could a dorm or co-op cost less?
4. What will I pay for the whole lease?
5. Will the cheaper place work for your week?
6. Do I qualify for a lower-rent unit?
7. The quote to get before you sign
8. Questions
9. Sources

## In this guide

1. What fits your monthly budget?
2. Three private-bedroom plans to compare
3. Could a dorm or co-op cost less?
4. What will I pay for the whole lease?
5. Will the cheaper place work for your week?
6. Do I qualify for a lower-rent unit?
7. The quote to get before you sign
8. Questions
9. Sources

## What fits your monthly budget?

The utilities and insurance figures are examples you can change. Add parking, furniture and fees that aren’t listed before treating a result as your final cost.

## Three private-bedroom plans to compare

2027–28 plans, each with 12 payments

**Three private-bedroom plans to compare**

| Plan | A month, per person | Across 12 payments | Still extra or not listed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Axis Progressive](https://utaustin.guide/housing/axis-west-campus?plan=progressive) | $925 | $11,100 | Utilities, insurance, furniture, parking and upfront charges |
| [Axis Pure](https://utaustin.guide/housing/axis-west-campus?plan=pure) | $940 | $11,280 | Utilities, insurance, furniture, parking and upfront charges |
| [Legacy on Rio E1](https://utaustin.guide/housing/legacy-on-rio?plan=e1) | $1,012 | $12,149 | $285 upfront; utilities, parking and applicant charges |

These prices don’t confirm an open room. Ask for the exact floor plan, lease year and every fee in writing.

You’ll also find rent-only prices at 26 West, The Block and Crest at Pearl. They’re worth checking, but you’ll need the fees before comparing their total with the plans above.

The Villas on Guadalupe B1 loft may not have a fully enclosed bedroom. Ask about the walls and the space you’ll get before comparing it with your own bedroom.

## Could a dorm or co-op cost less?

Compare the same length of stay

**Could a dorm or co-op cost less?**

| Place | What to include |
| --- | --- |
| Apartment | Every rent payment, food, utilities, furniture, insurance and fees |
| Jester shared room | 2026–27 room and meals: $14,937 for nine months, plus sales tax |
| Co-op | The house’s room price, meals, payment dates and weekly chores |

Jester’s price includes room, meals, internet and laundry. A cheaper apartment price may leave all four on your shopping list.

Co-ops vary by house. Check [Opsis](https://utaustin.guide/housing/college-houses-opsis) and [Taos](https://utaustin.guide/housing/college-houses-taos) for meals, chores and the length of the agreement.

## What will I pay for the whole lease?

The lines to put on your budget

**What will I pay for the whole lease?**

| Charge | How to count it |
| --- | --- |
| Rent and required monthly fees | Multiply by the number of payments |
| Application and admin fees | Add once if they aren’t refunded |
| Deposit | Keep apart from your cost; you need the cash upfront |
| Advance rent | Count it once, with the rent it pays for |
| Parking or furniture | Add the option you’ll use, for the whole agreement |

A 12-payment lease still has 12 payments if you leave Austin for summer. Check what it would cost to leave early before relying on a replacement tenant.

## Will the cheaper place work for your week?

Try the trip from the apartment door to your class building, including the bus wait and the way home after your latest class. Use CBA for a class there and EER for a class there; “near UT” covers a lot of ground.

A longer commute can save rent while costing time and transport. Compare both against the schedule you’ll keep.

## Do I qualify for a lower-rent unit?

Some rooms have income or financial-aid requirements. Ask which program applies to the exact room and what documents it accepts.

The [SMART Housing guide](https://utaustin.guide/research/texas/smart-housing-austin) walks through that check. Being eligible doesn’t mean a room is still open.

## The quote to get before you sign

1. Name the property, floor plan, bedroom and lease year.
2. Get move-in and move-out dates and the number of payments.
3. Ask for rent, every required fee, utilities and the deposit.
4. Get any discount and its conditions in writing.
5. Compare that full total with one other place.

## Questions

**Is $925 the total monthly cost?**

No. It’s Axis’ listed recurring price for that plan. Utilities, insurance, furniture, parking and some required fees still need a quote.

**Should I compare a nine-month dorm with a 12-payment lease?**

Compare the full cost for the time you need housing. Add summer housing to the dorm if you need it, and count every apartment payment even if you leave for summer.

## Related guides

- [Compare exact plans and budget scenarios](https://utaustin.guide/housing)
- [Map the trip to your actual building](https://utaustin.guide/housing/map)
- [Use the student housing checklist](https://utaustin.guide/housing/student-guide)
- [Compare dorm room-and-meal bundles](https://utaustin.guide/research/texas/ut-austin-residence-halls)
- [Read SMART Housing eligibility distinctions](https://utaustin.guide/research/texas/smart-housing-austin)

## Sources

The apartment prices come from the operators’ floor-plan pages: Axis was checked October 22 and Legacy October 26, 2026. The dorm rate was checked October 27. Whole-dollar displays are rounded after the full total is calculated.

The search starts with apartments, a private bedroom and 12 payments. Lower-rent units with eligibility conditions, sold-out plans and unusual room layouts are off by default. A low rent is a lead to check, not a promise that the final total will fit.

**Sources and dates**

1. [Housing prices and fees](https://utaustin.guide/housing/data.json)Checked 2026-10-26
2. [Axis floor plans](https://axiswestcampusapts.prospectportal.com/austin/axis-west-campus/student/)Checked 2026-10-22
3. [Axis fees and lease terms](https://www.axiswestcampus.com/resources/)Checked 2026-10-26
4. [Legacy on Rio floor plans](https://legacyonrio.com/floorplans/)Checked 2026-10-26
5. [Villas on Guadalupe floor plans](https://villasonguadalupe.prospectportal.com/austin/villas-on-guadalupe/student/)Checked 2026-10-22
6. [UT residence-hall prices](https://housing.utexas.edu/housing/residence-halls/residence-hall-rates)Checked 2026-10-27
7. [College Houses prices](https://collegehouses.org/rates/)Checked 2026-10-22
8. [UT’s neighborhood guide](https://offcampus.utexas.edu/neighborhoods)Checked 2026-10-26
9. [Austin’s affordable-housing search](https://www.austintexas.gov/housing/programs/affordable-housing-online-search-tool-ahost)Checked 2026-10-27

[By Sulayman Bowles](https://sulayman-bowles.dev/about)

By Sulayman Bowles

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Source: https://utaustin.guide/ut/housing/cheap-apartments · Checked 2026-10-26 · Field Guide: UT Austin