Location vs. Space: How Much Does the National Average Rent of $1,700 Stretch in Apartment Size by Zip Code?

In the world of renting, there’s a delicate balance between space and location, as represented best in renters’ eternal dilemma: How far can I stretch my dollar? Imagine being torn between a spacious, suburban apartment and a cozy downtown studio — both at the same price!

Fortunately, RentCafe’s latest analysis of apartment square footage can help you find the sweet spots of space and location in the 50 largest U.S. cities. For this, we picked a monthly budget of $1,700, which is about the same as the national average rent. The details lie in the zip codes, and we looked at 1,600 of them. For instance, some offer sprawling spaces of around 1,900 square feet for this budget, while others squeeze you into a little more than 200 square feet.

So, how does a $1,700 budget pan out in the 50 largest U.S. cities? On average, it translates to an apartment of about 944 square feet, but this number varies widely across regions. Southern and Midwestern cities — like Memphis and Oklahoma City — lead the pack in spacious bargains. In particular, in Memphis’ 38109 zip code, you can expect a whopping 2,000 square feet for this budget, more than in any other zip code we analyzed. Similarly, Oklahoma City is also well represented when it comes to the most apartment space for the money, with zip code 73127 coming in second nationally.

Contrast this with New York City, a strikingly different scene: Of the top 50 zip codes in the U.S. where $1,700 gets you the least amount of space, 36 are in New York. This means that, in many New York neighborhoods, your $1,700 might only secure a very small amount of space or a tiny studio (if you can find one). As an example, in Manhattan’s 10013, you might be looking at around 211 square feet.

As renters navigate the market, many are eyeing better deals: Nearly one-third are searching for more affordable options, while half are keen to explore new neighborhoods within their city, according to a RentCafe survey. And, with the colder months offering less competition and more rent specials, now is the best time to start your apartment hunt.

Zip Codes in South Lead in Apartment Space for $1,700: Memphis’ 38109 Gives Renters Biggest Bang for Their Buck

In the competitive world of apartment rentals, the Southern United States stands out for offering some of the most spacious options within a budget of $1,700.

First, Memphis, with its mix of urban and suburban landscapes — illustrates an urban-to-rural gradient where city living comes at the cost of space, while the outskirts offer more breathing room. Specifically, zip code 38109, which encompasses the McKeller neighborhood in Memphis, TN offers the most space in the nation. Here, a monthly budget of $1,700 would get renters the equivalent of 1,996 square feet.

Then, when it comes to the zip codes with the least space in Memphis, they seem to trace a belt smack in the middle of the city and at the westernmost end of that imaginary belt sits zip code 38103: The neighborhood of Harbor Town, situated on the Mud Island peninsula, provides renters with an area of 982 square feet at the cost of $1,700 — the least in Memphis, but still above the national average for this price range.

Next, looking at San Antonio and Houston’s maps, one fact pops out: Zip codes are displayed in the areas in concentric circles. At the core, the zip codes represent areas with the least space, ranging from 700 to 1,000 square feet. Moving outward, there is a noticeable increase in the size of living spaces that renters can expect for $1,700, suggesting a middle ring of more expansive homes (between 1,200 and 1,500 square feet). However, as one approaches the outskirts of these cities, the available space begins to decrease once more, indicating a tightening of living areas. Consequently, renters aiming for the city limits in San Antonio or Houston can expect around 1,000 square feet of space.

More precisely, renters can get generous amounts of space in the Alamo City in zip code 78211. In fact, it’s the most living space you could get for $1,700 in San Antonio, TX – at 1,971 square feet. Conversely, NoDo’s 78215 offers the least amount of apartment space (764 square feet) for the same budget, but with the added bonus of a more bustling, urban vibe.

NYC Tops Chart for Least Living Space for a $1,700 Budget & Philadelphia Offers More Room in Northeast

New York City reigns as the metropolis with the highest number of zip codes where a monthly budget of $1,700 can get apartment-dwellers the least amount of space. Moreover, Manhattan monopolizes the top positions in the list of the 50 zip codes with the most limited legroom. It’s a stark reminder of the borough’s famously compact living conditions, especially the further you head south.

Notably, Manhattan’s zip code 10013 stands out at the very top of this list, offering the least legroom with a mere 211 square feet for the given budget. Nestled amidst the vibrant streets of SoHo and Tribeca, this zip code may offer a prime location, but leaves little room for spreading out. In contrast stands zip code 10033, stretching across parts of Washington Heights. Here, residents can enjoy the most space in Manhattan with a more generous 566 square feet for a $1,700 monthly budget. This area — known for its rich, scenic views of the Hudson River — provides a relaxed and spacious living experience, diverging significantly from the dense, urban core.

However, it’s not all bad news for the Northeast as six zip codes in the area put up more than 1,000 square feet for $1,700, all of them located in Philadelphia. Namely, in the historic neighborhood of Tocany, zip code 19135 is where you can find the most legroom (1,499 square feet, to be precise).

Of course, a budget of $1,700 will get you less far in Boston. In particular, the zip code in the city area with the most apartment space is 02126, with 681 square feet. The Mattapan neighborhood it surrounds suits renters looking for more outdoor than indoor space. Otherwise, the least legroom in Boston can be found in zip code 02210. While it may offer limited square footage, living in West Broadway places residents at the epicenter of Boston’s contemporary culture and innovation — a trade-off that many find to be worthwhile.

San Francisco, LA & San Diego: A Tale of Space vs. Location in Prime Pacific Cities

The northeastern curvature and city center’s limited space versus the more generous offerings of the southwestern neighborhoods underscore the varied lifestyles within San Francisco. For example, zip 94132 in the southwestern part of San Francisco near Lake Merced and San Francisco State University, is the city’s most spacious option with 474 square feet. This zip code is a stark contrast to the densely packed neighborhoods of the city center.

Conversely, zip code 94123 — nestled in the Marina District — offers the city’s least space at a mere 294 square feet for $1,700. Rather, this area, known for its picturesque views of the Golden Gate and proximity to bustling Chestnut and Union streets, embodies the trade-off between space and location that city center-dwellers often embrace.

In Los Angeles, zip 90008 emerges as a spacious contender, boasting 704 square feet for $1,700. Located in the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw neighborhood, it offers urban accessibility for those seeking more room to breathe.

On the flip side, zip code 90405 (situated near the bustling Santa Monica area) puts up the least space in Los Angeles with a modest 362 square for the same budget. This reflects the high demand for living near the iconic beaches and thriving cultural scenes of the westside.

Further south, San Diego’s battle of location versus space is clearly depicted on its map, with prime locations in the west, while better deals for $1,700 are gathered in the east. Specifically, zip code 92014 in the North City neighborhood offers the least space for $1,700 (412 square feet), while Oak Park’s 92105 puts forward 798 square feet.

Midwest Living: Kansas City & Chicago Offer Vastly Different Spaces for $1,700

Meanwhile, in the Midwest, zip code 64136 located in the southeastern Kansas City area is a true hotspot for generous legroom. Here, renters can get the equivalent of 1,841 square feet for $1,700. That’s more than double what an apartment-dweller can get in zip 64106, which takes the #1 spot in Kansas City with the least amount of apartment space (837 square feet).

Further north in Chicago, zip code 60621 stands out for its spaciousness, providing an impressive 1,376 square feet for $1,700. Located in the Englewood neighborhood, zip code 60621 is an option for renters seeking ample living space within the urban landscape.

On the other hand, zip code 60611, situated in the bustling Near North Side area, offers the least amount of space in Chicago. Encompassing neighborhoods like Streeterville and parts of the Magnificent Mile, zip code 60611 offers notably more compact options at just 459 square feet.

Mountain Area’s Spacious Bargains: Zip Codes With Most Space for $1,700

Spacious options in the Mountain area are not usually in bustling alcoves, but rather in pockets of tranquility surrounded by mountains. Even so, in Phoenix, zip code 85041 — which offers the most space for $1,700 (1,090 square feet) — has a dense urban feel. Plus, not only is the vibrant neighborhood of Laveen the best spot in the Valley of the Sun where renters can cop a great deal, but it's also the #10 best neighborhood to live in Phoenix. For comparison, less than a 20-minute drive away in zip 85004, the same monthly rent can get you almost half the space (658 square feet) — the least in the city. Located in the downtown area of Phoenix, this neighborhood averages 658 square feet for $1,700.

Finally, the contrast between the most and least space is less stark in Denver. While zip code 80224 — which surrounds the neighborhood of Virginia Village — can provide renters with the equivalent of 934 square feet of legroom, zip 80211 put up 587 square feet for $1,700. It’s worth noting that the trendy Highland neighborhood (which zip code 80211 surrounds) is Denver’s ground zero for those seeking the bustling urban scene with plenty of restaurants, eateries and boutiques in the area.

Methodology

• RentCafe.com is a nationwide apartment search website that enables renters to easily find apartments and houses for rent throughout the United States.
• For the purposes of this study, we looked at 1,665 zip codes across the 50 largest cities in the U.S. and how much they offer for a monthly budget of $1,700.
• The apartment space you can rent for a monthly budget of $1,700 was calculated using average square footage and average rent for each zip code.
• Apartment data was provided by our sister company Yardi Matrix, a business development and asset management tool for brokers, sponsors, banks, and equity sources underwriting investments in the multifamily, office, industrial and self storage sectors.

Fair use and redistribution

We encourage you and freely grant you permission to reuse, host, or repost the research, graphics, and images presented in this article. When doing so, we ask that you credit our research by linking to RentCafe.com or this page, so that your readers can learn more about this project, the research behind it and its methodology. For more in-depth, customized data, please contact us at media@rentcafe.com.