Need a place in Austin for a few months, not a year? You’re not alone. Interns and co-op students, contractors on a project, travel nurses on a 13-week assignment, and people house-hunting after a move all run into the same problem: most of the city’s rentals assume you’ll stay for 12 months.
We run four shared homes in Austin and Manor, and a lot of the people who reach out to us are in exactly this spot. Here’s an honest look at every short-term option, what each one costs, and which fits your situation.
Can I get a 3-month lease on an apartment in Austin?
Sometimes, but expect to pay more for it. Apartment leases in Austin are usually 12 months, and complexes that offer shorter terms typically charge a higher monthly rent for them. Ask the leasing office to quote the same unit at 3, 6, and 12 months so you can compare the totals.
Signing a 12-month lease and leaving early is rarely cheaper. If you break a lease in Texas, you typically stay responsible for rent until the lease ends or the unit is re-rented, and many leases add a reletting fee, commonly 85% of a month’s rent.
What are the short-term housing options in Austin?
Here’s how the main options compare for a stay of a few months:
| Compare | Typical monthly cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared home (ours) | $700 to $1,050, plus about $100 to $150 utilities per room | Private room, furnished common areas, utilities set up for you; leases that work for internships, co-ops, and contracts |
| Extended-stay hotel | About $1,000 to $1,800 at weekly rates | Easy to book on short notice; kitchenette, not a full kitchen |
| Furnished Finder or a furnished apartment | Usually $1,600 and up for a whole place | Built for travel nurses and contract workers; no booking fees for renters |
| Airbnb or short-term rental | About $6,450 at Austin’s average nightly rate, before monthly discounts | A whole place; monthly discounts vary widely |
| Sublet | Varies | Can be a good deal, but check that the original lease allows it |
Hotel rates from InTown Suites and Uptown Suites Austin listings, October 2026. Airbnb figure is AirDNA’s August 2026 Austin average of $215 a night times 30. Amsoo prices are live from our listings.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Hotels: in Texas, stays of 30 or more consecutive days are exempt from hotel occupancy tax. Tell the hotel in writing up front and the exemption starts right away.
- Sublets: make sure the person subletting is allowed to. Under Texas law, a tenant can’t sublet without the landlord’s consent, and if the landlord doesn’t know you’re there, you have little protection.
- Short-term rentals: a whole place for a month costs several times what a room does, even with a monthly discount.
Which short-term option fits my situation?
It depends on why you’re here and how long you’ll stay:
- Interns and co-op students: a furnished room is usually the best value, and you’ll have housemates from day one. See our intern housing guide, which includes a budget calculator built for intern pay.
- Contractors on a project: a room or an extended-stay hotel, depending on how much notice you have. Our contractor housing guide has drive times to the big job sites.
- Travel nurses: a room or Furnished Finder. Our travel nurse guide has drive times from our homes to Austin’s major hospitals.
- Relocating and house-hunting: a room or a sublet gives you time to learn the city before you commit to a neighborhood for a year.
Can I rent a room from Amsoo Properties for a few months?
Yes, for internships, co-ops, and work contracts. Our minimum lease is 3 months, which covers most internships and co-op terms, a typical 13-week travel nurse contract, and many project assignments. A 3-month lease costs a little more per month than a year-long lease, but not by much, and it’s still well below what an extended-stay hotel or a short-term rental costs for the same stretch.
If you need a little less than 3 months, reach out and we’ll see what we can do. Rooms in our homes currently run $700 to $1,050 a month. Utilities are set up for you and split evenly, typically $100 to $150 a month per room, and common areas are furnished, so there’s nothing to buy or set up for a short stay.
How do I avoid scams on short-term rentals?
Short-term listings attract scammers because people are in a hurry and often moving from out of town. Before any money changes hands, make sure you know who you’re dealing with:
- Talk on the phone, and ask real questions about the place and the lease.
- See the place if you can, in person or on a video call. If you can’t, lean harder on the other checks.
- Check who owns it on the county appraisal district’s site, and ask how the person is connected to the property.
- Pay as part of a real application and a written lease, not by Zelle, Cash App, or wire to someone you’ve never spoken to.
A landlord asking for your ID with an application, or telling you others are interested, is normal. Rent far below market from someone who’s “out of town” is not.
Our guide to finding a room in Austin has a longer checklist, including how to look up who owns a property.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a 3-month lease in Austin?
Yes, but not from most apartment complexes at their regular price. Rooms in shared homes, extended-stay hotels, furnished rentals, and sublets are the usual options for 3 months. Our minimum lease is 3 months, which works for internships, co-ops, and work contracts.
Is a short-term lease more expensive?
Usually, yes. Landlords charge more each month for a short lease because they’ll have to find a new tenant sooner. Ask for quotes on the same place at 3, 6, and 12 months to compare.
What is the cheapest short-term housing in Austin?
A room in a shared home is usually the cheapest option for a few months, followed by extended-stay hotels at weekly rates. A whole short-term rental costs several times more.
Do hotels charge tax for monthly stays in Texas?
Not after 30 consecutive days. Stays of 30 or more days are exempt from Texas hotel occupancy tax, and if you tell the hotel in writing up front, the exemption starts right away.
What if I need housing for less than 3 months?
Extended-stay hotels and Airbnb work for any length. If you’re an intern or co-op and need a little less than 3 months, reach out to us anyway and we’ll see what we can do.