As of October 2026, average San Antonio apartment rents are about $907 a month for a studio, $1,056 for a one-bedroom and $1,360 for a two-bedroom, according to Apartments.com. A private ADU with a yard in a sought-after neighborhood can rent above those averages; one in a less central area may rent below them.
What do the averages look like?
| Unit | Average monthly rent, Oct 2026 | Annual, before costs |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $907 | About $10,900 |
| One bedroom | $1,056 | About $12,700 |
| Two bedrooms | $1,360 | About $16,300 |
Annual figures are simple multiples of the monthly averages and ignore vacancy, taxes, insurance and upkeep. They are citywide apartment numbers, not ADU-specific data.
It depends: what moves the rent on an ADU?
- Neighborhood. Proximity to downtown, medical centers, universities and military bases.
- Privacy. A detached cottage with its own entrance and outdoor space competes well against apartments.
- Size and bedrooms. The city sets no bedroom limit, so a two-bedroom within the size cap is possible.
- Utilities. Separate meters let you bill the tenant directly.
Are there rules on who I can rent to?
The owner must live in the main house or the ADU, so the rental is the other unit. If you accept the five-year affordable rent cap, you may qualify for fee waivers.
Can I use it as a short-term rental?
San Antonio requires a permit for short-term rentals and regulates them separately from ADU zoning. Check the city's current short-term rental rules and your deed restrictions before planning nightly stays.
Is an ADU a good investment here?
Compare the rent with your full cost in the San Antonio cost guide. Lower build costs than Austin help, but so do lower rents, so the math is site-specific.
Sources, as of October 2026:
- Apartments.com, San Antonio rent market trends, updated October 2026.
- City of San Antonio Development Services, Accessory Dwelling Unit Permits page, for owner-occupancy and fee-waiver rules.
- City of San Antonio Development Services, short-term rental permit materials.