Austin apartments are getting smaller

Austin's new apartments averaged 872 square feet from 2015 to 2024, reflecting a 6% decrease in size compared to the previous decade, according to a RentCafe report. This trend is evident across many of the 100 largest U. S. cities, where new apartments have generally become smaller. The national average apartment size fell by 5% over ten years, highlighting a significant shift in rental housing dynamics.

Developers are increasingly opting for smaller floor plans, which can squeeze renters already facing high costs. In Austin, the drop translates to a loss of 53 square feet compared to apartments built from 2005 to 2014. As construction slows, rents are expected to rise, exacerbating the challenges for renters. The report also notes that the average size of new apartments increased slightly to 908 square feet in 2024 from 891 in 2022, indicating a possible shift in market dynamics. This situation underscores the ongoing housing affordability crisis in urban areas across the country.