Studio vs. One-Bedroom Apartments: Which to Choose?

A studio apartment combines your bedroom, living area, and kitchen into one open space. A one-bedroom apartment has a separate bedroom, offering more privacy and storage. Studios are generally cheaper and easier to maintain, while one-bedrooms provide more room for couples, remote workers, and renters who value entertaining space.

The right choice depends on your budget, lifestyle, and space needs. Here’s what to know before you sign your next lease.

Studio vs. One-Bedroom Apartment: The Key Difference

The main difference comes down to layout and separation of space:

• Studio apartment: One open room that serves as your bedroom, living space, and kitchen. Bathrooms are always separate by law.
• One-bedroom apartment: A distinct bedroom separated from the living area, with a dedicated bathroom and kitchen.

What Is a Studio Apartment?

A studio is a compact, open-concept apartment where your bed, couch, and kitchen share the same space. Renters often divide the room using furniture, screens, or shelving.

Best for: budget-conscious renters, students, and solo dwellers who want to live in pricier neighborhoods without the higher rent of a one-bedroom.

What Is a One-Bedroom Apartment?

A one-bedroom features a private sleeping area apart from the living space. Depending on the size, you may also get a dining nook, larger kitchen, or extra closets.

Best for: couples, remote workers, or anyone who needs more privacy, storage, and flexibility than a studio provides.

Key Differences Between Studios and One-Bedroom Apartments

Before you start apartment hunting, it can be helpful to brush up on the differences between studios and one-bedroom apartments to find the right place for you.

Size

Studio apartments are often smaller than one-bedrooms. However, that isn't always the case. You can sometimes find larger studio apartments that are more affordable than one-bedrooms in your area, which can be a great opportunity if you don't mind the open concept of the studio.

Of course, a cozy apartment isn’t a good fit for everyone. You may crave more space and dimension or risk feeling stir-crazy. Plus, if you’re living with a significant other and desire privacy, you’re better off in a one-bedroom apartment. It’s roomy enough for a couple and offers the opportunity to split the rent and save money.

Furniture and Decor

If you love interior decorating, a studio apartment offers limited options. Your focus will likely revolve around creating more divisions, like screen dividers or plants. You also won’t have many opportunities to hang artwork or add interesting pieces of furniture.

But if you’re on a budget and don’t want to bother with too much stuff, a studio apartment is a great option. Unlike a one-bedroom, you won’t need much furniture or decor to make your place feel like home.

Home Office Set-Up

It’s true you can work from home in both a studio apartment or a one-bedroom apartment. However, it’s not always practical or comfortable to eat, sleep, work, and relax in the same room day in and day out. Sometimes studio apartments just don’t offer the flexibility you need for your work-life balance.

A one-bedroom is roomier for a remote career, and it’s also easier to set up a work-from-home office in your apartment. An alcove, small den, or spacious corner is about all you need.

Rent Prices

Rent for a studio apartment is usually less than other apartments on the market. You can save more money living in a studio apartment, or even move into your dream neighborhood.

Even if you’re not looking to save money, a studio apartment offers a more efficient and environmentally-friendly lifestyle. You’ll use less energy, cleaning products, water, and overall day-to-day resources living in a studio apartment.

Keep in mind that not all studio apartments are cheaper than a one-bedroom. Living in a trendy neighborhood in an upscale neighborhood commands a high price tag, no matter the apartment size you choose.

Utility Bills

It’s normal for utilities to be less expensive in a studio apartment. It takes less heat and air conditioning to keep your place feeling comfortable.

Meanwhile, a one-bedroom apartment requires more energy to keep it feeling temperate and comfortable. If you have high ceilings or a lofted area, you’ll spend even more on heating and cooling.

Convenience

Multitasking is a way of life, and it’s easy to do in a studio apartment. You can watch Netflix, clean, and cook dinner in the same room. Your place is also faster to tidy up before heading out for a night on the town.

Studio apartments are a good option if you're looking for an affordable spot in a busy downtown area so you can get everywhere you need quickly.

Hosting and Entertaining

When you live in a studio apartment, your bed may also serve as part of the seating area. That means guests are constantly surrounded by your personal effects and don’t have much room to spread out. It’s not impossible, but difficult to entertain a crowd when you live in a studio apartment.

Hosting out-of-town guests is also difficult. You’ll likely have a blow-up mattress adjacent to your own bed to fit your guest.

You may not have a dedicated guest room in a one-bedroom apartment, but there’s still room to host people while enjoying some privacy. You can set up the couch or an air mattress in the living room or a small den. Beyond overnights, a kitchen and living room are usually all you need to host a dinner party or gathering over drinks and snacks.

Storage

One of the big challenges of living in a studio apartment is the lack of storage space. If you love collecting shoes or jackets, a studio apartment probably won’t work for you. They usually come with limited closet space that hangs a handful of coats.

If you decide to choose a studio, you’ll probably need a wardrobe, dresser, or innovative clothing storage solution to make it work. You may also want to invest in additional shelves or other storage solutions to keep your place tidy.

Competitiveness

Although you can find one-bedroom apartments just about anywhere, they’re also more competitive to secure in cities like New York City and Boston. Studios are generally less desirable, and you’ll face a sea of renters vying for the same 1-bedroom apartment that you are.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Studio vs. a One-Bedroom in 2025?

Rent prices vary widely by city. On average, studios are about 5% cheaper than one-bedrooms, but in hot markets, the difference may be small—or even reversed.

Below, we’ve listed the studio apartment prices in a few popular cities in the US: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.

How Do Size and Layout Affect Your Lifestyle?

• Studios feel efficient and cozy but can get cramped, especially if you work from home or share the space.
• One-bedrooms give you room to separate work, sleep, and relaxation, which can improve comfort and mental health.

If privacy and flexibility matter most, a 1-bedroom is worth the higher price.

How Do Studios and One-Bedrooms Compare for Furniture and Decor?

• Studios: Minimal furniture required. You’ll likely invest in multi-purpose pieces (sofa beds, storage ottomans). Decorating is trickier since everything shares one space.
• One-bedrooms: More flexibility with furniture layout, storage, and decor. Separate rooms allow for a more traditional home feel.

Which is Better for Remote Work?

• Studios: Possible, but challenging. Eating, sleeping, and working in one space can blur boundaries.
• One-bedrooms: Easier to carve out a dedicated home office or quiet corner, making it better for long-term WFH renters.

How Do Utilities and Bills Compare?

• Studios: Lower costs overall. Less space to heat, cool, and light.
• One-bedrooms: Higher utility bills, especially if ceilings are tall or square footage is large.

If predictable bills are a priority, studios are more budget-friendly.

Which is More Convenient Day-to-Day?

• Studios: Easier to clean, multitask, and maintain. Perfect for renters who want simplicity.
• One-bedrooms: More room for daily activities, guests, and storage—but also more space to clean.

Which is Better for Hosting and Entertaining?

• Studios: Hosting is possible, but tricky. Guests will likely be hanging out around your bed, and overnight stays mean sharing tight quarters.
• One-bedrooms: More privacy and flexibility. You can host dinners, gatherings, and overnight guests without feeling overcrowded.

How Much Storage Do You Get?

• Studios: Limited closet space. Renters often need wardrobes, shelving, or under-bed storage solutions.
• One-bedrooms: Typically more closets and built-in storage. Easier for renters with hobbies, collections, or seasonal wardrobes.

How Competitive are Studios vs. One-Bedrooms?

• Studios: Often easier to secure since fewer people want them long-term.
• One-bedrooms: Highly competitive in cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco, where demand outpaces supply.

Should You Rent a Studio or a One-Bedroom?

Choose a studio if:

• Saving money is your top priority
• You want to live in a prime location without the cost of a 1-bedroom
• You live alone and don’t need much storage
• You prefer a minimalist lifestyle

Choose a one-bedroom if:

• You live with a partner (or want more privacy)
• You work from home and need a separate space
• You enjoy hosting guests or entertaining
• You want more storage and room to decorate

Studio vs. One-Bedroom Apartment FAQs

How many people can live in a one-bedroom apartment?

Two people can live comfortably in a one-bedroom apartment. A baby or toddler can also fit in a one-bedroom with two adult parents. However, most leases set limits on how many people can live in a space, so make sure to check your rental agreement.

Can two people live in a studio?

In most cases, two people can share a studio apartment, but it may feel cramped. Check your lease or ask your landlord about occupancy guidelines before bringing in a roommate, however.

Can I turn a studio into a one-bedroom apartment?

While you cannot add walls to your studio apartment, clever use of decor can create more separation between your kitchen and bedroom spaces, even allowing you to carve out a living room. Tall shelving units, room dividers, canopy beds, and even the placement of furniture can all contribute to the feeling of distinction between areas.

Why are studio apartments so popular?

The low price point combined with the simplicity of living in a studio make them very attractive rental units, especially to students and younger renters without families. They also often allow tenants to live affordably in areas that are otherwise out of their price range.

How big are most one-bedroom apartments?

Most one-bedroom apartments are probably between 500 and 700 square feet. Anything upwards of 700 square feet is usually considered a large one-bedroom apartment.

Is a studio always cheaper than a one-bedroom?

Not always. In competitive areas, studios may rent for nearly the same price or more than a one-bedroom.

Are utilities cheaper in a studio?

Generally, yes. Smaller spaces mean lower heating, cooling, and electricity costs.

Which apartment type is better for couples?

A one-bedroom is likely better for couples. The separate space provides privacy, storage, and flexibility that couples usually need.