How Much Will $1,500 Get You in the US?

Rent prices have soared across the US in recent years, and unfortunately, there’s not much the average renter can do about it. With the rising cost of living affecting citizens across the country, many are considering moving to get more bang for their buck.

If you’ve got a max budget for monthly rent, are ready to move on to a new rental, and are looking to possibly change cities, keep reading to see what you could get for $1,500.

10 Cities with the Most Square Feet for $1,500

Square footage is one of the most common factors that sways renters’ decisions. With the influx of work from home jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are in need of space to accommodate working conditions at home. After all, having to work and live in a very small setting 24/7 can be stressful and uncomfortable. So which cities give the most square footage for $1,500?

According to data compiled from CBS News and RentCafe, these are the top 10 cities renters should consider if they want the most square footage within the $1,500 rent range:

Wichita, KS — 1,597 square feet

Toledo, OH — 1,482 square feet

Tulsa, OK — 1,447 square feet

Oklahoma City, OK — 1,431 square feet

Fort Wayne, IN — 1,386 square feet

Memphis, TN — 1,375 square feet

Omaha, NE — 1,334 square feet

Lubbock, TX — 1,316 square feet

El Paso, TX — 1,305 square feet

Lincoln, NE — 1,304 square feet

While these cities are no New York or Los Angeles, the cheaper cost of living (plus potential cash incentives for moving to states such as Nebraska or Oklahoma) may be appealing to some remote workers who are renting.

$1,500 in the Largest Cities in America

Of course, wanting to move to the less populated cities in the US isn’t appealing to everyone — even if the cost of living is considerably cheaper. If you’re one of those people who loves big city life and doesn’t see themselves leaving, it’s important to note just how much $1,500 can get you in these areas.

Here is what you can expect to get with $1,500 in the 20 largest cities in America:

Los Angeles, CA — 454 square feet

Chicago, IL — 540 square feet

Brooklyn, NY — 357 square feet

Houston, TX — 1,059 square feet

Queens, NY — 399 square feet

Phoenix, AZ — 804 square feet

New York, NY — 262 square feet

Philadelphia, PA — 679 square feet

San Antonio, TX — 1,061 square feet

San Diego, CA — 493 square feet

Dallas, TX — 881 square feet

San Jose, CA — 483 square feet

Austin, TX — 753 square feet

Jacksonville, FL — 1,006 square feet

Columbus, OH — 1,230 square feet

San Francisco, CA — 345 square feet

Fort Worth, TX — 988 square feet

Indianapolis, IN — 1,273 square feet

Charlotte, NC — 915 square feet

Seattle, WA — 475 square feet

It’s no surprise that San Francisco and NYC come with the smallest square footage for $1,500 — the big tech and finance industries are in high demand here, and more people are moving to these areas and willing to pay for the high costs of rent. If size doesn’t matter, though, the smaller square footage may be a great fit for you.

However, if these rent prices and square footage comparisons are concerning, you may want to consider renting outside of the city limits. For example, in NYC it’s not uncommon for people to live in New Jersey or even Pennsylvania if it means cheaper rent and more square footage. With more people becoming remote or hybrid workers, it gives them the flexibility to consider moving further away from the city in order to balance out the cost of living.

Final Thoughts

No matter what your renting needs are in today’s world, remember that there are more options available than you think. Many mid-sized cities are just starting to boom and looking for more renters to improve their city life. If your heart is in the big city, you can still get a decent-sized rental — you just need to keep an eye out for that perfect unit.