How much rent can an ADU make in Austin?

As of October 2026, average Austin apartment rents run about $1,220 to $1,290 a month for a studio and about $1,410 to $1,430 for a one-bedroom, with two-bedrooms near $1,820 to $1,830, based on two listing-data sources. A well-located ADU with a private yard may beat those averages; one in an outer suburb may not reach them.

What do the market averages say?

These are citywide apartment averages, not ADU rents. An ADU competes with apartments on price but offers things most apartments do not: no shared walls, a yard and a house-like setting.

Do ADUs rent for more in central Austin?

A local real estate guide updated in August 2026 estimates long-term ADU rents of about $1,600 to $2,200 for a one-bedroom in central and east Austin, versus about $1,100 to $1,500 in suburbs such as Cedar Park and Round Rock. Treat these as rough estimates, not guarantees.

Can I rent an ADU in the suburbs at all?

It depends on the city. Cedar Park's code, as published, does not allow an ADU to be rented separately from the main home, and Pflugerville requires the owner to live in the main house. Read suburban ADU rules before you count on rental income.

What about short-term rentals?

Austin requires a license for short-term rentals and regulates them separately from zoning. Rules have been updated recently, so check the city's current short-term rental requirements before you plan around nightly bookings.

It depends: what sets the rent on your unit?

• Location and access to jobs, campus and transit.
• Bedrooms, layout and a washer and dryer in the unit.
• A private entrance, outdoor space and parking, even though the city does not require it.
• Whether utilities are included or separately metered.

Compare these numbers with the Austin ADU cost guide before deciding.