Apartment rental rates vary dramatically by location. Not only do some major cities such as New York and San Francisco have the highest-priced apartments in the country, but also other factors such as high-rise or low-rise apartment buildings affect apartment rental prices.

Living in a city certainly has its advantages. You’ll be close to restaurants, retail, and entertainment, from movie theaters to symphony halls, and you will most likely be able to take public transportation wherever you go. In a city, stores stay open late or even all night, so if you need something from a pharmacy or a take-out food delivery, you can get it immediately. On the other hand, if you own a car, finding garage space in urban areas is tough and always expensive; expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500 a month for a parking space. And if you live in a high-rise apartment building, you’ll pay extra for things such as a doorman in the lobby, a gym, and laundry room. Other features including hardwood floors, balconies or decks, and updated kitchens can drive up the apartment rent.

According to ApartmentRatings.com, the average rent for one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles in 2009 was $1,671, and in Chicago, the average monthly rent was $1,271 in 2009. Clearly apartment rental costs are sky-high in big cities.

Living in a small town or suburb has much to offer, including lower apartment rent costs, and a lower cost of living in general. You will be much closer to the outdoors, whether it’s just a small garden or yard behind your apartment complex, or a state park just a few miles away. The air outside the city is usually cleaner, and there is less crime and traffic. Because your apartment building will probably be on the small side, you will be more likely to meet your neighborhoods and feel a sense of community. In 2010, a one-bedroom apartment in Oklahoma City rented for somewhere between $525 and $619 a month, according to MyApartmentMap.com, and many of these rentals include pools, washers and dryers, and work-out rooms, all of which you might pay more for in an urban setting.