What $1,000 rents in the French Quarter right now

Welcome to Curbed Comparisons, a column that explores what one can rent or buy for a set dollar amount in various New Orleans neighborhoods. We’ve found five French Quarter rentals within $100 of today’s price, $1,000. Vote for your favorite below.

For many French Quarter service industry workers, $1,000/month rent is the sweet spot. If you find a roommate, you only need to earn $2,000/month in order to maintain the perfect rent-to-income ratio. (Most financial advisors suggest not spending more than 25 percent of one’s monthly income on rent.) And if you’ve worked service industry jobs in the summer, when tourism business is at its nadir, you know that sometimes even $2,000/month can be a struggle.

Which is why there will always be a need for affordable housing in the Quarter, and there will always be landlords (and a few slumlords) willing to capitalize on that demand. Apartments renting for $1,000/month in the French Quarter probably won’t be tricked out with marble tile and courtyard pools, but they’re perfectly serviceable and, at times, charming.

This one-bedroom unit at the intersection of St. Peter and Royal streets, for example, comes with a few amenities: it’s fully furnished, there’s a washer-dryer in the petite kitchen, and best of all, utilities are included in the $1,050/month rent. At 550 square feet, it’s on the small side, but we love that the apartment includes a separate bedroom. No word on the pet policy, and we’re assuming it doesn’t come with parking.

If there’s anything more shabby-chic than an attic apartment tucked under the eaves of a 19th-century Vieux Carre building, we’ve yet to see it. Despite all their romance, attic apartments do come with a unique set of cons. Because warm air rises, they tend to be warm. In this unit, interior walls section off the areas under the low-sloping roof. While this is great for creating privacy, it’s not great for natural light. (But if you work the graveyard shift, a dark apartment might be just what the doctor ordered.) On the list of pros: the wooden floors, built-in bookshelves, exposed brick walls, and ceiling rafters. Rent for this 541-square-foot one-bedroom apartment is $995/month, which includes water and garbage disposal. No mention of a pets policy.

With its high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplaces, and private balcony, this 541-square-foot one-bedroom apartment has the features of a much pricier abode. It clocks in slightly over budget at $1,095/month rent. The living area and separate bedroom are lovely; the tiny bathroom and kitchen are bare-bones but functional. It sits on the second floor of a St. Peter Street building that’s half a block from Jackson Square. Rent includes water and garbage disposal, but pets aren’t allowed.

What’s not to love about a thoughtfully designed loft? This one sits above an open living and kitchen area and is accessed by a spiral staircase. The freshly painted, 500-square-foot unit on Burgundy Street has new flooring, courtyard access, and a full bathtub (not a given in many budget French Quarter apartments.) It’s asking $1,000/month. No pets allowed.

The dark, grainy photos aren’t doing this Iberville Street one-bedroom any favors. But it actually features lovely touches, including granite kitchen countertops, bathroom tile, wooden floors, and large windows. At 650 square feet, it’s considerably larger than the other apartments in this roundup. No pets, no parking, but the $950/month price tag is a steal.