Staging is an essential strategy to attract buyers and speed up the process of selling vacant homes. But do you know which is more cost-effective, traditional or virtual staging? This article will analyze the cost-effectiveness of virtual staging versus traditional staging, based on real data, so you can easily decide which method is right for your real estate project.

What Is Traditional Staging and How Much Does It Cost?

Traditional staging involves bringing actual furniture and decor into the home to create a living space, helping buyers easily visualize life there. This is a classic method, often preferred in high-end real estate.

However, the cost of traditional staging can make many people hesitate. According to reports from the real estate industry, the average cost for a house of about 2,000 sq ft (about 186 m²) for 3 months is $1,500–$5,000. Specifically:

• Initial consulting fee: $300–$600.
• Monthly furniture rental: $500–$600/room, total $2,000–$2,400/month.
• Installation and transportation: $1,000–$2,000.

Total costs can be as high as $7,200–$8,800 if you factor in storage and maintenance.

In addition, you also face the risk of property damage, a 7–14 day setup time, and the environmental impact of furniture transportation. If you choose DIY (do it yourself), the cost of renting furniture can be reduced to $100–$300/room/month, but it still requires a lot of effort.

However, traditional staging provides a more authentic experience and is effective in creating an emotional connection (82% of real estate agents say it helps buyers visualize better). In particular, traditional staging costs are often only suitable for high-end properties over $1 million or properties with complex layouts.

Virtual Staging: A Cost-Effective and Flexible Solution

In contrast, virtual staging uses professional photo editing technology to “add” virtual furniture to an empty house image, creating a cozy feeling without moving anything in reality. This is an ideal choice for empty houses or houses that need quick marketing.

In terms of virtual staging costs, the price ranges from $12–$25/photo, depending on the customer’s request for interior style. For a 2,000 sq ft house using 10 photos, the total cost is only about $120–$250 (e.g., $12/photo on the Picpee platform). There are no consultation fees, no risk of damage, and the completion time is only 12–48 hours – 10 times faster than traditional staging!

Virtual interior design is also very flexible with countless design styles. You can quickly change the design style to suit your target customer audience. According to NAR reports (2023 & 2025), 40% of buyer's agents confirmed that buyers are willing to view a home in person if they have seen staging images online. However, a decorated property can disappoint viewers when they experience the actual home.

Read more: Avoiding Unrealistic Virtual Staging: What Buyers Can Spot Instantly

Cost Comparison: How Much More Cost-Effective Is Virtual Staging?

To see the cost-effectiveness of virtual staging versus traditional staging, see the comparison table below based on average data for a standard staging project:

Virtual staging is said to save 80–95% of the cost compared to traditional staging, especially suitable for mid-priced properties of $250k–$750k. Not only do you save money, but you also avoid hidden costs such as damage insurance or furniture storage.

See more: How Much Does Virtual Staging Cost?

ROI: Return on Investment of Two Staging Methods

Low cost doesn’t mean low efficiency. In fact, both methods increase selling price and shorten days on market (DOM).

• Virtual staging: According to Sotheby's International Realty research (2024), the selling price increased by 6–10% ($7,000–10,000 for homes valued at $400,000–$499,000), the payback period (DOM) decreased by 24 days, 73% faster than the unstaged option (based on RESA and NAR data, 2025). Average ROI: 500–3,650%.
• Traditional staging:85% of traditionally staged homes sell for 5–23% more than vacant homes (cited in The Zebra, 2025, and HomeJab, 2025) and according to NAR (2025), DOMs decrease by an average of 23 days (up to 87% faster), ROI: 102–909%, average 586% (source Raleigh Realty, 2023, and Orchard, 2023)

Virtual staging excels in ROI due to its low cost, helping you recoup your investment faster. For example, with a cost of $300, an $8,000 increase in profit from virtual staging yields an ROI of over 2,500% – twice as much as traditional!

Excerpt from NAR's Profile of Home Staging 2025

Conclusion

In short, virtual staging outperforms traditional staging in terms of cost efficiency by 80–95%, faster turnaround times, and a whopping ROI of up to 3,650%. While traditional staging remains a luxury segment, virtual staging is revolutionizing the real estate industry by making every listing feel “luxury” without breaking the bank.

Are you getting ready to sell your home? Try Picpee.com’s virtual staging services today to increase your selling price and reduce your waiting time.