Studio vs 1-bedroom apartment in Labone: which should you buy? Choose a studio if you want the lower entry price and a potentially stronger percentage yield, and choose a 1-bedroom if you want wider tenant appeal, longer stays and room for personal use. At MOONBOW by VAAL Real Estate, studios start from $101,000 and one-bedroom apartments from $155,000, so the real question is whether the extra $54,000 gives you enough extra value.
That decision deserves more thought than simply choosing the bigger apartment.
Studio vs 1-Bedroom in Labone: Quick Comparison
| Factor | Studio | 1-Bedroom |
| MOONBOW starting price | $101,000 | $155,000 |
| Size | 32–40 sqm | 54–69 sqm |
| Typical tenant | Individual professional | Individual or couple |
| Furnishing cost | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Personal use | More limited | More flexible |
| Tenant turnover | Potentially higher | Potentially average |
| Resale audience | Mainly investors/individuals | Investors + owner-occupiers |
| Best suited to | Yield-focused buyer | Income + flexibility |
MOONBOW’s current prices are VAT inclusive. (vaal.com.gh)
Why Buy a Studio Apartment in Labone?
The studio’s strongest advantage is capital efficiency.
At $101,000, a MOONBOW studio requires $54,000 less capital than the starting one-bedroom. That money could remain available for furnishing, another investment or simply reduce the amount you need to commit to property.
Studios can suit single professionals, consultants, corporate residents and people who value central location more than additional space. VAAL positions MOONBOW’s studios around this type of flexible urban occupancy.
Their smaller footprint can also mean lower furnishing and maintenance costs.
However, lower purchase price does not automatically mean better investment. Studios can experience more frequent tenant turnover depending on the rental strategy.
Is the Extra $54,000 for a One-Bedroom Worth It?
This is the question I would ask before upgrading.
A MOONBOW one-bedroom starts from $155,000 and provides 54–69 sqm compared with 32–40 sqm for the studio.
For that additional capital, you gain:
- a separate bedroom
- more living space
- greater privacy
- potential appeal to couples
- stronger suitability for longer stays
- more comfortable personal use
- potentially broader resale appeal
Current Labone listings demonstrate active demand for furnished one-bedroom apartments, with many asking rents currently appearing around GH₵11,700 to GH₵18,700 per month, although specification, size and amenities vary considerably. Asking rents are not the same as achieved rents.
The question is therefore whether the one-bedroom can generate enough additional income and occupancy stability to justify paying roughly 53% more upfront.
Rental Income vs Rental Yield
Do not confuse the apartment producing the most rent with the apartment producing the best return.
For example, imagine a studio bought for $101,000 produces $9,000 in annual rent while a $155,000 one-bedroom produces $12,500.
The one-bedroom earns more money, but the studio may still generate the stronger percentage return relative to the amount invested.
These are illustrative numbers, not MOONBOW rental projections.
Always calculate:
Annual rental income ÷ total acquisition cost × 100
Then deduct vacancy, service charges, management, maintenance, furnishings and applicable taxes.
That net yield is the number that should guide your decision.
Don’t Ignore Service Charges
This can change the comparison significantly.
MOONBOW is planned with a swimming pool, gym, café, pharmacy, mini-mart, office space, game room, lounge and rooftop BBQ area.
Those amenities add lifestyle value, but buildings also cost money to operate.
Before choosing a unit, ask:
Is the service charge calculated by apartment size?
If so, the larger one-bedroom may have higher annual ownership costs. Request the current service-charge estimate for both units and include it in your return calculation.
Long-Term Rental or Short Stay?
Your rental strategy may decide the winner.
A studio can suit short and medium stays because it offers compact accommodation at a lower ownership cost. However, short stays may involve more cleaning, utilities, platform fees, management and occupancy fluctuations.
A one-bedroom may better suit corporate tenants or residents looking for six-, twelve- or twenty-four-month accommodation because of the additional privacy and living space.
Neither strategy is automatically more profitable.
The better investment is the one producing reliable net income after operating costs, not the highest advertised nightly or monthly rate.
What About Resale?
Think about who might buy the apartment from you later.
A studio has the advantage of a lower future entry price and may appeal strongly to another investor.
A one-bedroom potentially reaches a wider market: investors, professionals, couples and buyers who want to occupy the property themselves.
Resale performance is never guaranteed, but having more than one type of future buyer can be valuable.
What If You Want to Use It Yourself?
This matters particularly for diaspora buyers.
If the apartment is purely an investment, the studio’s lower capital requirement may be attractive.
If you plan to spend several weeks or months in Accra each year, a one-bedroom may be worth the additional cost simply because it is more comfortable.
That makes the one-bedroom particularly interesting for a hybrid buyer: someone who wants both rental income and a personal Accra base.
Remember: MOONBOW Is Off-Plan
Rental income does not begin until the apartment is completed and ready for occupation.
Before buying either unit, review MOONBOW’s construction timeline, payment schedule, Sale and Purchase Agreement, completion provisions and what happens if handover is delayed.
VAAL currently lists MOONBOW as under construction and publishes construction updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a MOONBOW studio?
Studios currently start from $101,000 VAT inclusive.
How much is a MOONBOW one-bedroom?
One-bedroom apartments currently start from $155,000 VAT inclusive.
Which could give the better rental yield?
The studio may benefit from its lower acquisition price, but actual yield depends on rent, occupancy and expenses.
Which is better for a diaspora buyer?
A studio may suit a pure investment strategy, while a one-bedroom offers greater flexibility if you also intend to stay in the apartment.
What should I compare before buying?
Price, realistic rent, service charges, management fees, furnishing, vacancy, payment terms and expected tenant profile.
Buy the Apartment That Matches Your Strategy
Ultimately, the studio vs 1-bedroom apartment in Labone decision is not about which unit is objectively better. It is about what your money needs to achieve. MOONBOW’s studio offers a lower entry point from $101,000, while the one-bedroom asks you to invest an additional $54,000 for more space, flexibility and a broader potential audience.
Before deciding, request the MOONBOW Investment Pack from VAAL and compare current availability, floor plans, payment terms, estimated service charges and management information side by side.