1-Bedroom Apartments Near Baylor: The Real Cost of Living Solo in Waco
At some point almost every Baylor student asks the same question: is it worth paying more to live alone? No roommate drama, no scheduling conflicts, no one eating your leftovers. Just your own space. But one-bedroom apartments near Baylor come at a real price premium — and that gap matters a lot when you're on a student budget.
Here's the honest breakdown of what one bedroom apartments in Waco actually cost, who solo living makes sense for, and how to decide if the privacy is worth the extra dollars each month.
What 1-Bedroom Apartments in Waco Cost in 2026
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Waco runs $1,024–$1,030 per month as of 2026. That figure covers a wide range of properties — from older complexes on the outskirts of town to student-focused buildings close to Baylor campus.
Near campus, prices skew higher. Student-focused complexes in the Baylor area typically start around $1,035–$1,163/month for a 1-bedroom. Here's how the tiers generally break down:
- Budget range: $699–$850/mo (older properties, fewer amenities, usually further from campus)
- Mid-market: $850–$1,100/mo (closer to Baylor, standard amenities)
- Student-focused near campus: $1,035–$1,250/mo (gated, amenities included, newer builds)
At 19Eleven, a 1-bedroom starts at $1,035/mo and goes up to $1,250/mo depending on the unit. That price includes internet, a washer/dryer in unit, parking, and access to the indoor pool, sports court, and bark park. When you factor in what you don't have to pay separately, that's a more competitive number than the sticker price suggests.
Studios vs. 1-Bedrooms: What's the Difference?
Studio apartments average around $971/month in Waco — about $50–$70 less per month than a 1-bedroom. The tradeoff: your bedroom, living room, and kitchen share the same room.
For students who spend most of their time out of the apartment anyway — at class, studying on campus, working shifts — a studio can make sense. But if you're at home frequently, study from your apartment, or regularly host friends, the lack of separation between sleeping and living space tends to wear on you fast.
19Eleven doesn't offer traditional studios, but the loft-style 1-bedroom floor plans have an open layout with high ceilings and industrial character (exposed beams, polished concrete floors) that feels more spacious than a standard 1BR of the same square footage. The vertical space changes the room completely.
The Math: Solo Living vs. Splitting Rent
Here's what most students actually need to see before making the decision:
| Setup | Monthly Rent | Per-Person Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR at 19Eleven (solo) | $1,035–$1,250 | $1,035–$1,250 |
| 2BR at 19Eleven (2 people) | $1,295–$1,530 | $648–$765 |
| 3BR at 19Eleven (3 people) | $1,425–$1,660 | $475–$554 |
| 4BR at 19Eleven (4 people) | $1,750–$1,800 | $438–$450 |
The privacy premium for a 1BR over splitting a 2BR is roughly $270–$485 per month at 19Eleven. Over a 12-month lease, that's $3,240–$5,820 more for the privilege of not having a roommate.
Only you can decide if that number is worth it. For most students on tight budgets, splitting a 2BR or 3BR is the financially smarter choice. But for students who prioritize uninterrupted study time, work irregular hours, or simply know from past experience that roommates don't work for them — solo living can be the right call.
What's Usually Included (and What's Not)
This is where one-bedroom apartment costs get tricky. A $900/mo 1BR that doesn't include internet, utilities, or parking can end up costing $1,150/mo when you add everything up. A $1,035/mo 1BR that includes those items can actually be the better deal.
When comparing one bedroom apartments in Waco, ask about:
- Internet: Waco gigabit fiber runs $50–$80/mo if not included
- Washer/dryer: In-unit vs. shared laundry room vs. off-site laundromat
- Parking: On-site parking can run $50–$100/mo at some complexes
- Utilities: Water/electric caps or included utilities vs. you pay everything
- Monthly fees: "Technology packages," valet trash, amenity fees — these add up fast
At 19Eleven, the monthly fee is a flat $97/month covering internet, trash, pest control, and facility maintenance. No surprise add-ons. When you're comparing 1BR options, add up the true all-in cost before deciding what's actually affordable.
Who Should Consider a 1-Bedroom Near Baylor?
Solo living isn't for everyone, and it doesn't have to be a default choice. Here are the Baylor students for whom a 1-bedroom apartment near Baylor genuinely makes sense:
Graduate students and upperclassmen who need focused study space and don't want to coordinate schedules with roommates. If your thesis defense is in six months, you need your apartment to be a distraction-free zone.
Students with irregular schedules — early-morning clinical placements, night shifts at part-time jobs, weekend research commitments. When your schedule doesn't match any potential roommate's, solo living becomes less of a luxury and more of a practical choice.
Students who've tried roommates and know it doesn't work for them. There's no shame in this. Not everyone thrives in shared living situations.
Students receiving housing stipends or additional financial aid that closes the cost gap. Some graduate assistantships and external scholarships specifically allocate for housing costs.
Finding the Right 1-Bedroom Near Campus
Not all one bedroom apartments near Baylor are equal in terms of location, safety, or what you're actually getting. A few things worth prioritizing:
Proximity to campus. The closer you are, the less you need a car for daily life. 19Eleven is at 1911 S 8th Street — about 0.5 miles from the main campus entrance, roughly a 10-minute walk. At that distance, you can leave for an 8am class without getting up at 6am to find parking.
Security. Living alone means security matters more than it might in a shared apartment. 19Eleven is a gated community with controlled access — one of the few options near Baylor that offers that.
In-unit laundry. Small thing, but it genuinely changes your quality of life when you don't have to plan laundry trips or haul clothes to a laundromat.
Community. Living solo doesn't mean you have to be isolated. Look for apartments with shared spaces — a pool, sports court, study rooms — where you can interact with neighbors when you want to without being forced to share a living room with them.
Is the Privacy Worth It?
For most Baylor students, the honest answer is: it depends on your finances and your needs, not just your preferences.
If you can genuinely afford a 1BR without stretching your budget thin, and you know from experience that roommates create stress that affects your academic performance, the premium pays for itself in ways that are real but hard to put on a spreadsheet.
If you're choosing a 1BR primarily out of convenience and you haven't seriously tried to find compatible roommates, you're likely leaving $300–$500/month on the table that could go toward tuition, travel, or building savings.
The middle ground: a 2-bedroom apartment split with one trusted friend or classmate. You get your own bedroom and a housemate who respects your space — often the best of both worlds at 19Eleven prices of $648–$765/person per month.
Ready to See Your Options?
Whether you're leaning toward a 1BR for yourself or thinking about a 2BR split, 19Eleven's floor plans cover the range. Come see the loft-style units in person — the exposed beams and open layouts are hard to convey in photos, and the gated community setup makes solo living feel a lot more secure.
Browse floor plans and pricing or schedule a tour to walk through what a 1-bedroom at 19Eleven actually looks like. If you're ready to move forward, the application process is straightforward and most steps can be completed online.
