Austin rent comparison: what $950/month gets you right now

Welcome to Curbed Comparisons, a column that explores what one can rent for a set dollar amount in various Austin neighborhoods. Is one person's studio another person's townhouse? Let's find out! Today's price: $950.

While there are many apartments available in this price range, a straightforward roundup of them results in many lookalike spaces with similar amenities. We decided to mix things up a bit by seeing what’s out there on the single-family/freestanding homes (or at least townhouses) front.

Of course, that kind of home is hard to find for $950/month, especially within Austin city limits. If you’re in need of—or just want—yard space (and indoor space, for that matter), convenience to the airport, proximity to the lake, a laid-back/semirural vibe—or are just adventurous—there’s probably something out there for you.

For instance: We found a couple of cute cabins (not sure what that means, as they all seem to have full utilities)—including one in the Lake Travis area—and a house with a huge yard that backs to Walnut Creek.

We also threw in a couple of apartments, of course.

↑ 901 Valdez Street C, one-bedroom, one-bathroom efficiency cottage, 350 square feet, $950/month. Is it weird/random that target market for this small home in Montopolis on Craigslist is specifically “traveling nurses”? Maybe. Or maybe that’s just who tends to occupy it (it’s pretty close to the airport; it’s also furnished). It has shade trees and a large, fenced yard, patio, and deck area. There’s a Murphy bed in the living/sleeping area and separate kitchen dining, Direct TV cable, ATT high-speed wireless internet, and a washer/dryer on the premises.

↑ Norwalk, 1403 Norwalk Lane, one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, 544 square feet, $950/month. This Tarrytown apartment is a sweet location near Exposition and Enfield, a couple of blocks from the Lions Muny course and Redbud Isle, with Lake Austin just a little but farther down the road. The pet-friendly complex was built in 1962, and has that vintage look on the outside but has been updated inside.

↑ 7110 Crystalbrook Drive, two-bedroom, one-bathroom house, 612 square feet, $950/month. This home in Northridge Park is east of Highway 183 and backs to a greenbelt and large park. It has a large, fenced yard, a deck in front, and many large shade trees.

↑ Retreat at Barton Creek, 3816 South Lamar Boulevard, one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, 691 square feet, $960/month. Located in a pet-friendly South Lamar complex that looks to have great outdoors spaces (as well as a dog park), this apartment looks to have had recent updates and is advertised as having luxury amenities.

↑ 17112 Rocky Ridge, one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage, $950/month. Square footage for this home near Lake Travis isn’t listed, but it does look to have separate living, kitchen, and bedroom areas; there’s a separate, detached laundry room as well. It’s pet-friendly and has easy access to the water, according to the listing.