Hourly vs monthly rent
Should you rent a beauty studio by the hour or by the month? 2026 worked example and comparison
Whether hourly or monthly rent works out cheaper depends on how many hours you actually use each month. The calculation is simple: break-even hours = monthly quote ÷ hourly rate. If you use fewer hours than that each month, renting by the hour costs less in total; if you use more, a monthly lease is worth a serious look.
As of October 2026, the 17 beauty workspaces listed on SoloBeauté have a median hourly rate of NT$200 (range NT$100–350). The examples below use that median. Because monthly terms vary so much from place to place, this page gives no monthly-rent figure; plug in the quote you have actually received.
Written and compiled by Meigo Liu (Beauty professional) and Jasper Tsai (Engineer)Last updated
Worked example: hours per month and what hourly rent costs
An illustration, not a quote or a market monthly-rent figure. Uses the median hourly rate of NT$200, assuming a 4-week month and 2 hours per client.
| Monthly usage | Hours per month | Hourly total (NT$200/hour) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 client a week | 8 | NT$1,600 |
| 2 clients a week | 16 | NT$3,200 |
| 3 clients a week | 24 | NT$4,800 |
| 5 clients a week | 40 | NT$8,000 |
How to use this table: divide the monthly quote you have received by 200 to get your break-even hours, then see which row you fall into. For example, if your break-even works out at 30 hours and you see only 2 clients a week (about 16 hours a month), renting by the hour costs less in total.
Mind the minimum booking time: 15 of 17 spaces (88%) have a 2-hour minimum, so each booking counts as at least 2 hours.
If you book many clients in one day, look at full-day rates: the median full-day rate is NT$1,200, roughly 6.8 hours at the hourly rate.
Beyond price: what else to compare
| What to compare | Hourly rent | Monthly rent |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Only when you have a booking, by the hours you use | A fixed monthly cost, with or without clients |
| Contract | Rented by the hour, no long-term lease | Ask about the contract length and early-termination terms |
| Other costs | The space page lists hourly, half-day and full-day rates | Whether the deposit, utilities, air conditioning and consumables are extra depends on the contract |
| Time slots | Popular slots can get booked, so book early | Your own space, so you set your hours |
| Equipment | Bring your own each time, or use what the space has | You can keep your own equipment in place |
| Location | You can see different clients in different locations | One fixed location |
When hourly rent fits, and when to consider monthly
- Hourly rent fits: you are just starting out, working part-time or your client numbers aren't steady yet; you want to try a different city or area; or you only need a quiet space now and then.
- Consider monthly rent: your week is consistently full and your monthly hours are clearly above the break-even; or you need to keep equipment in place or build a storefront.
- Use both: you can also confirm a location and your client base by the hour first, then decide whether to commit to a longer lease.
For a comparison aimed at lash artists (hourly rent, sublets and bed rental), see studios for lash artists.
Hourly vs monthly rent: FAQ
Is it cheaper to rent a beauty studio by the hour or by the month?
It depends on how many hours you actually use each month. Break-even hours = monthly quote ÷ hourly rate. At the median hourly rate of NT$200 for spaces listed on SoloBeauté, if you use fewer hours a month than "monthly quote ÷ 200", renting by the hour costs less in total; if you use more, compare the monthly lease's other terms as well.
If I only see a few clients a month, roughly what will a studio cost?
As an illustration, at the median hourly rate of NT$200 and 2 hours per client: 1 client a week (8 hours a month) comes to about NT$1,600, and 2 clients a week (16 hours a month) to about NT$3,200. This is an estimate, not a quote; each space's own price is what applies.
Do hourly spaces also offer half-day or full-day rates?
Some do. Of the 17 spaces listed on SoloBeauté, 11 list a half-day rate (median NT$880) and 13 list a full-day rate (median NT$1,200). For details, see the 2026 Taiwan beauty workspace hourly rental prices.
Read next
Browse spaces in the SoloBeauté app
In the app you can see each space's hourly, half-day and full-day rates and minimum booking time, and message the host directly to confirm a time slot.