Space has always been a big deal for Americans — how much of it we have, what we can afford, and where we can find it. That’s especially true when it comes to apartments, where every square foot counts. Apartment size shapes how people live, what they pay, and even how cities grow which is why shifts in those numbers always make headlines.
To get the clearest view of how that space has changed over time, we used data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey to break down the average apartment size by layout and location. Here’s what the numbers reveal, and what they mean when you’re planning a move.
Key Takeaways
- The overall average apartment size in the United States is 1,072 square feet, with the majority being 2-bedroom apartments (45.2% of all rental apartments).
- The average sizes of a studio apartment, a 1-bedroom apartment, a 2-bedroom apartment, and a 3-bedroom apartment are 440 square feet, 804 square feet, 1,089 square feet, and 1,593 square feet, respectively.
- San Francisco has some of the smallest rentals in the U.S., with an average size of 562 square feet.
- The average size of a New York City apartment is 779 square feet.
Why Average Apartment Size Matters
When we talk about average apartment size, we’re referring to the total square footage of a rental unit, including main living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. It’s a simple number that helps explain how much space people really have to work with.
“Over time, apartments have slowly gotten smaller — about 7% smaller than they were in the early ’90s…More people are living in cities, living alone, and builders have shifted toward offering great locations and shared amenities instead of just bigger floor plans.”
For anyone planning a move, that number matters. It affects how much furniture you can bring, what size truck you’ll need, and how long movers might take. If you’re getting ready for a new place, check out tips on moving to a new apartment or learn how much movers cost for a one-bedroom apartment to plan your budget and packing list.
National Average Apartment Size and Floor-plan Breakdown
Across the U.S., most apartments fall into a comfortable middle range — not too small, not too big. The national average apartment size is 1,072 square feet, but that number shifts depending on layout. Studios are the most compact, while three-bedroom units offer the most space.
Here’s the breakdown of the average size of each type of apartment in the U.S.:
| Unit Type | Average Size (sq. ft.) |
| Studio | 440 |
| 1-Bedroom | 804 |
| 2-Bedroom | 1,089 |
| 3-Bedroom | 1,593 |
| Overall Average | 1,072 |
These averages show that most renters live somewhere between 500 and 1,500 square feet, the heart of the national bell curve for apartment sizes. Larger apartments above that range make up a smaller share of the market, while ultra-compact studios and micro-units are found mostly in dense city centers.
It’s a reminder that apartment living looks very different depending on where you are — a one-bedroom in the suburbs can feel spacious, while the same square footage in a major city might feel tight but efficient.
When you look at the types of floor plans people rent, two-bedroom units dominate, making up nearly half of all apartments in the country. One-bedroom and studio apartments together represent roughly the same share, which in turn shows just how many renters live in smaller spaces.
The particular mix of sizes gives a good picture of how Americans are living right now: many people value location, flexibility, and affordability over extra square footage.
| Floor Plan Type | Share of U.S. Rentals |
| Studio | 8.1% |
| 1-Bedroom | 38.2% |
| 2-Bedroom | 45.2% |
| 3-Bedroom | 8.5% |
Most renters occupy units with 1 or 2 bedrooms, which aligns with national moving trends. Small households, young professionals, and downsizing retirees make up a large share of today’s rental market. For many, these modestly sized homes offer just enough space to live comfortably without feeling weighed down by extra rooms or higher rent.
Size Variation by Location & Market Trends
If you’ve ever moved from one city to another, you probably noticed pretty quickly that “average apartment” means something totally different depending on where you are. And that difference really matters when you’re trying to figure out what furniture to keep, how to pack, and whether you need professional movers.
Before you commit to a new place, it’s worth knowing what kind of space is normal for that area. Moving from somewhere like Dallas to somewhere like New York means you might need to get rid of more stuff than you think. If you’re headed the other direction, you could end up with extra rooms you’re not sure how to fill.
Note: The data in this section reflects all rental units, including standalone homes and townhouses, which differs from the apartment-specific data used throughout the rest of this report. This broader scope gives us a fuller picture of what renters are actually dealing with across different regions.
Average Rental Sizes in Major U.S. Metros
As you can see, apartments on the East and West Coasts tend to be much smaller than those in the South or Midwest. San Francisco and New York renters make the most of tight floor plans, while cities like Charlotte and Houston offer far more square footage on average.
For anyone planning a move, this often means rethinking furniture layouts, storage, and how much to bring along. A sectional sofa that fits easily in Dallas might overwhelm a Manhattan one-bedroom.
Location also influences your overall moving plan. High-density cities often involve narrow hallways, elevators, and parking challenges that can affect the time and cost of your move. In more spacious suburban markets, there’s usually easier truck access and more room to maneuver, but also more ground to cover once your things are inside. Knowing what kind of space you’re moving into can help you decide whether to hire movers, rent a smaller truck, or downsize before packing.
Average U.S. Apartment Size By Decade
Over time, average apartment sizes have changed along with how people live. The table below shows how rental sizes have shifted across the country over the last few decades.
| Year | Average Apartment Size (sq. ft.) |
| 1990 | 1,150 |
| 2000 | 1,118 |
| 2010 | 1,097 |
| 2020 | 1,082 |
| 2023 | 1,072 |
Over time, apartments have slowly gotten smaller — about 7% smaller than they were in the early ’90s. There are a few reasons for the shrinkage. More people are living in cities, living alone, and builders have shifted toward offering great locations and shared amenities instead of just bigger floor plans.
Even so, renters have found ways to make less space work. Smarter furniture, better layouts, and a little creativity have turned smaller homes into comfortable, practical places to live.
How Apartment Size Affects Your Move
The size of your apartment shapes nearly every part of your move, like how long it takes, what kind of truck you need, and even how much it costs.
When you’re picking a place, think about what you actually own. A studio feels different when you’ve got a full living room set to squeeze in, while a big two-bedroom can feel empty (and expensive) if you don’t have much yet.
Layout matters too. Movers use square footage to estimate how many people, hours, and trucks a job will take, and narrow hallways, small elevators, and steep stairs can slow things down, which can add to the bill.
Here’s a quick breakdown to give you a rough idea of what size truck or container each apartment might need:
- Studio (under 500 sq ft): Usually fits in a 10-foot truck, which is similar scope to a small one-bedroom move. If you need storage, a 5×5 or 5×10 unit typically works.
- One-bedroom (around 700-800 sq ft): You’ll probably need a 15-foot truck and a few more hours of help than a studio. For storage, a 10×10 unit is usually a good choice.
- Two-bedroom (1,000+ sq ft): A 20-foot truck is commonly necessary, and you might need three or more movers depending on how much furniture you have. Storage-wise, a 10×15 or 10×20 unit is a safe bet.
Not sure what size truck makes sense for your move? We’ve got a guide that walks you through how to pick the right rental truck. And if you’re trying to figure out how big your storage unit needs to be, we’ve covered that, too.
Estimating Your Space & Planning the Move
Getting a handle on your new apartment’s size before you move in can save you a lot of headaches later. Here’s how to figure out what you’re working with and plan accordingly.
Start with the basics
If you’re still apartment hunting, most listings include square footage. Write it down or screenshot the number since you’ll want to reference it later. If you’ve already signed a lease, your landlord or property manager can tell you the exact size. Some apartment complexes even have floor plans you can look at online or in the lobby, which is super helpful for visualizing where your furniture might go.
Measure your biggest stuff
Grab a tape measure and check the dimensions of your couch, bed frame, dresser, and any other large pieces you’re planning to bring. Then think about whether they’ll actually fit in your new place. A king-size bed might work fine in a two-bedroom apartment, but it could dominate a smaller one-bedroom in a way that makes the room feel cramped.
Do a quick inventory
Walk through your current place and get a sense of how much you own. Count how many boxes you think you’ll need for books, kitchen stuff, clothes, and everything else. If you’re unsure about the size of boxes to use for different items, our moving boxes size guide provides a clear breakdown.
Declutter before you pack
Moving is the best time to get rid of things you don’t use anymore. Less stuff means fewer boxes, a faster move, and an easier time settling into your new place. Plus, if your new apartment is smaller than your current one, you’ll need to downsize anyway, so you might as well do it as soon as possible instead of dealing with it in a rush later.
Think about the layout early
Once you know the size and shape of your new apartment, start planning where things will go. Which wall makes the most sense for your couch? Where’s the best spot for your bed?
“…[M]ost renters live somewhere between 500 and 1,500 square feet…Larger apartments above that range make up a smaller share of the market, while ultra-compact studios and micro-units are found mostly in dense city centers.”
If you have a rough plan before moving day, you can direct the movers (or your friends helping you) instead of making decisions on the fly when everyone’s tired and just wants to be done.
Pack with a timeline in mind
Start early with things you don’t use every day, like books, decor, and off-season clothes. Leave the essentials for last. The more organized you are going in, the smoother everything goes when it’s time to move.
Why Trust HireAHelper: Our Methodology
At HireAHelper, we’ve been in the moving business for a long time, and we’ve seen how much easier it gets when you have solid information to work with. That’s why we ensured the numbers in this article come from the most reliable source available.
To calculate the average apartment size in the U.S., we used the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey. We excluded detached rentals, mobile homes, and houseboats so the results reflect apartments only. At HireAHelper, accuracy matters because people rely on us for real, useful moving information. Our goal is to help renters plan moves with data they can actually trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a small apartment size?
Anything under 500 square feet is generally seen as small. That’s the range for most studios and micro-apartments. You can still make it work with good furniture choices and smart storage, but you’ll want to measure before moving larger pieces in.
How much bigger is a two-bedroom apartment than a studio?
On average, a two-bedroom apartment is about 600 square feet larger than a studio. That extra space usually means another full room plus more closets or storage areas. It also means more packing and unpacking, so plan for a slightly longer moving day.
Does apartment size affect moving costs?
Yes. The more space you have, the more stuff you probably own. And that usually means a higher moving cost. Bigger apartments take longer to load, need more boxes, and may require a larger truck or an extra mover. In short, more volume equals more time and effort, which can raise the total price.
Should I worry about layout, not just size?
Definitely. A 900-square-foot apartment with narrow hallways or odd angles can be tougher to move into than a 700-square-foot place with an open layout. It’s not always about square footage — it’s about how easily things fit through doors, around corners, and into elevators.
How does moving into a city vs. a suburb impact size and move planning?
City apartments are usually smaller and harder to access, which means movers may need extra time for parking, stairs, or elevators. In the suburbs, you might have more space to work with, or an actual driveway, but also longer distances from the truck to the door. Knowing your setup ahead of time helps you plan for both the space and the schedule.