Furnished vs Unfurnished Apartments Near ASU: What's Worth It

Furnished vs. Unfurnished Near ASU: The Real Comparison

Most purpose-built student apartments near ASU — Vertex, Rise on Apache, The Local, Oliv, 922 Place — come furnished. Most older apartment buildings and rental houses don't. Which is actually better depends on your situation.

What "Furnished" Actually Means Near ASU

In the student apartment context, "furnished" typically includes:

• Bed frame and mattress
• Desk and desk chair
• Dresser
• Couch and coffee table in common areas
• Kitchen appliances (often just the built-ins: fridge, stove, dishwasher)

What it usually does NOT include:

• Bedding, pillows, towels
• Cookware or dishes
• Any personal electronics
• Living room decor
• Small appliances (microwave may or may not be included)

So "furnished" is a starting point, not a complete setup. You'll still need to bring or buy things.

The Cost of Furnished

Furnished apartments near ASU are more expensive than equivalent unfurnished units — the premium is built into the rent. How much depends on the complex, but rough estimates for what you're paying for:

• Bed and frame: $400–$700
• Desk and chair: $200–$400
• Dresser: $150–$300
• Common area furniture: split among roommates, maybe $50–$150 of effective value per person

Total furniture value roughly: $800–$1,550 per person.

If you rent a furnished place for 12 months at a $75–$100/month premium over an unfurnished equivalent, you're paying $900–$1,200 for that furniture access over the lease term. Roughly a wash — except you own nothing at the end and have no flexibility.

When Furnished Makes Sense

You're moving from out of state or out of the country: Shipping furniture is expensive and complicated. If you're coming from California, the Midwest, or internationally, furnished is almost certainly worth it.

You're in a short-term situation: One-year lease or less, especially summer sublets. Buying furniture for 4 months makes no sense.

You have no furniture: Obvious case, but worth stating — if you're starting from zero and don't want the hassle of furniture shopping and logistics, furnished is genuinely convenient even at a slight premium.

You're in a fully shared unit with roommates: Common-area furniture being provided avoids the awkward "who bought the couch" conversation.

When Unfurnished Makes Sense

You already have furniture: If you're transferring from another apartment or moving from a home situation where you're bringing your own stuff, you're paying the furnished premium for nothing.

You're staying for multiple years: The longer you stay, the worse the furnished deal gets mathematically. Buying quality furniture that you own and can resell is usually cheaper over 2+ years.

You care about personalization: Furnished apartments all look similar. If your living space matters to you aesthetically, unfurnished gives you control.

You're good at buying used furniture: ASU List and Facebook Marketplace are full of furniture being sold by departing students every May and August. A desk, chair, dresser, and bed frame can be assembled from the ASU student secondhand market for $200–$400 if you time it right and are flexible.

Hybrid Strategy: Furnished + Selective Upgrades

Many students in furnished apartments supplement the included furniture with specific upgrades — a better desk chair (the included ones are often terrible), a monitor stand, better lighting, a small shelf unit. This is usually the most practical approach.

For unfurnished apartments, buying the essentials used from ASU List at the start of the year and reselling at the end can make unfurnished surprisingly affordable.

The True Cost Calculation

Before deciding, figure out:

1. The monthly price difference between furnished and unfurnished options you're actually considering (not hypothetically)
2. What furniture you'd need to buy for the unfurnished unit
3. What you'd realistically get for that furniture when you sell it
4. Your move-in logistics (how far are you moving, can you bring furniture?)

That actual calculation, not the general principle, should drive the decision.

The Bottom Line

Furnished makes the most sense for out-of-state students, short-term stays, and students who want maximum convenience. Unfurnished makes sense if you already have furniture, plan to stay multiple years, or are good at the used furniture market. Near ASU, both options exist — don't assume furnished is always the better deal.