Apartment amenities have reached an all-time height of luxury. From classic amenities like balconies and fitness centers to newer add-ons like electric vehicle charging stations and dog parks, many of today’s apartment complexes are more than just living spaces; they’re lifestyle hubs designed for modern living.
Browsing apartment listings in search of the perfect spot with everything your heart desires can feel like a fun shopping adventure. But once you notice the staggering costs associated with many amenities, reality sets in. At a certain point, you have to ask yourself, “Which ones are even worth it?”
Our search for an answer led us to some interesting discoveries. Using data from over 25,000 Apartments.com rental listings, we found the premiums renters can expect to pay for six high-demand apartment complex amenities—pools, fitness centers, dog parks, balconies/patios, gated communities, and EV charging—in 50 U.S. cities. Read on to discover which amenities come at the highest premiums and where!
U.S. Cities With the Highest Premiums for Apartment Amenities
These are the five cities where apartment complex amenities come at the highest premium:
- Los Angeles, CA – 32.7% price increase
- Milwaukee, WI – 28.0%
- Detroit, MI – 27.0%
- Cincinnati, OH – 25.5%
- Chicago, IL – 24.5%
With its notoriously expensive living costs, it’s no surprise that LA has the highest average premium across all six amenities. On average, LA one-bedroom apartments with luxury amenities cost over 32% more than the average one-bedroom LA apartment. These consistent price increases for luxury features really put the “ooh la la” in La-La Land.
Three other California cities—Sacramento, San Diego, and Riverside—join LA in the top fifteen, making the Golden State a premier destination for renters with big amenity ambitions and even bigger budgets.
Milwaukee takes second place with price increases of 28% for apartment complex amenities. Despite bordering Lake Michigan, one of nature’s largest swimming pools, Milwaukee has the highest percent price increase for apartments with pools among the top 50 cities at 35%.
Mentioning Detroit, Cincinnati, and Chicago in a row might make an NFL fan think, “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” Apartment renters, however, might utter this phrase in its original fearful tone when they learn that these cities have the third, fourth, and fifth highest premiums for apartment complex amenities in the study.
By region, amenities come at the highest premium in the Midwest, which contains four of the top five cities and six of the top 10. One reason could be the contrast between older housing stock and newly upgraded complexes, where modern features stand out and drive up demand—and prices—for these desirable properties. Additionally, the Midwest’s growing urban centers and revitalization efforts may be fueling demand for high-end rentals, as younger professionals and families seek housing with upscale amenities.
Apartment Complex Amenities With the Highest Premiums
EV charging commands the highest premium, with rents for EV-ready, one-bedroom apartments averaging $245 more per month—or 15.5% higher—than the national average rent for one-bedroom units. This high cost reflects the growing but still niche demand for EV infrastructure, which is often found in higher-end apartment complexes.
Coming in second are gated communities, which add $148 per month (9.4%) to the rent. This suggests a strong preference for security and exclusivity among renters, especially in areas where privacy and safety are top priorities.
Pools and dog parks deliver somewhat lower premiums, at $118 (7.5%) and $115 (7.3%), respectively. Fitness centers follow closely at $114 per month (7.2%), highlighting a consistent demand for health-conscious living options. Whether you’re looking for a convenient workout spot, a way to beat the heat, or a pet-friendly perk, these lifestyle-focused amenities certainly come at an added cost.
Finally, balconies and patios, while undeniably desirable, carry the lowest premium at $78 per month (4.94%). This could be due to their widespread availability, making them more of a standard feature in many apartments rather than a luxury amenity.
The Apartment Complex Amenity With the Highest Premium in Each City
While EV charging stations command the highest rent premiums in the majority of cities analyzed, there’s one city where it doesn’t break the bank. Seattle has the lowest percent price increase for apartments with EV charging, at almost 4%. Seattle’s established EV infrastructure and high adoption rates may make EV charging more common, reducing the premium apartment complexes can charge for this amenity.
In Atlanta, dog parks take the top spot as the most premium-priced amenity. Atlanta residents pay an extra $85 per month—or $1,020 annually—to enjoy the convenience of on-site pet facilities. This stands out as the only city of the 50 we analyzed where a dog park outranks all other amenities.
In Hartford, CT, fitness centers carry the highest premium. Renters here pay $376 more per month for apartments with fitness facilities, reflecting a strong demand for health and wellness amenities. Hartford’s long winters and its suburban-urban mix likely contribute to the appeal of having a convenient, all-weather space for exercise.
Meanwhile, in Salt Lake City, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., a different amenity reigns supreme: pools. Pools symbolize luxury, relaxation, and exclusivity. In Salt Lake City, pools provide a contrast to its outdoor recreation-heavy culture, offering a space for downtime at home. Renters here are paying an extra $156 per month—or $1,872 annually—for the perk. In space-constrained metro areas like NYC and San Francisco, a pool transforms an apartment complex into a rare oasis amid the bustle, with renters paying premiums of $483 and $542 per month, respectively, for this luxury.
Closing Thoughts
Apartment amenities can add significant value to renters’ living experiences, but they also come with added costs—and occasionally, risks. Whether it’s a pool, fitness center, or gated entry, these features enhance convenience and lifestyle. However, they also require landlords and property managers to maintain them responsibly. Renters should feel confident that their living environments are safe and well-managed.
If you’ve experienced an injury or unsafe conditions due to a landlord’s failure to properly maintain a property, Murphy & Prachthauser is here to help. Our experienced premises liability lawyers understand the complexities of holding property owners accountable for negligence. Don’t navigate this process alone—contact us for a free consultation.
Methodology
Using the data from over 26,000 one-bedroom rental listings on Apartments.com, we found the premium American renters can expect to pay for six high-demand apartment complex amenities—pools, fitness centers, dog parks, balconies/patios, gated communities, and EV charging. This was done by comparing the average rent for one-bedroom apartments featuring each of these amenities to the overall average rent for one-bedroom apartments in the 50 largest U.S. cities. The analysis focused exclusively on one-bedroom apartment rentals, excluding listings for condos, townhomes, and houses.