How Much Does Virtual Staging Cost?

Selling a home today is all about presentation. The way a property looks online often determines whether buyers even bother to schedule a showing. That’s why staging is a critical marketing tool. But while traditional staging can be expensive, virtual staging offers a much more affordable alternative.

If you’ve already explored what virtual staging is, your next question is likely: How much does virtual staging cost? In this guide, we’ll break down the average costs, what influences the price, how subscription models work, and how companies like Edensign are changing the game with budget-friendly plans.

Average Cost of Virtual Staging

The cost of virtual staging can vary depending on the provider, but most services charge on a per-photo basis.

Low-cost providers: $20–$40 per photo
Mid-range providers: $40–$75 per photo
Premium providers: $100–$150+ per photo

On average, you can expect to spend $25–$150 per photo. That might not sound like much compared to traditional staging, but the price can add up quickly if you need multiple rooms staged.

Why Prices Vary So Widely

Photo resolution: High-quality, professional-grade photography often costs more to edit.
Design complexity: Standard furniture vs. custom or luxury styles.
Turnaround time: Faster delivery may include rush fees.
Editing needs: Furniture removal, re-renders, or major changes in style.
Provider expertise: Premium firms may employ architects or interior designers, driving costs higher.

Example scenario:
Imagine an agent listing a 3-bedroom home. To showcase it properly, they might stage 8–12 photos (living room, dining room, bedrooms, kitchen). At $50 per photo, the cost would be around $400–$600 per listing. Do that 20 times a year, and staging costs balloon to $8,000–$12,000 annually—a heavy expense for solo agents.

For agents who stage dozens of listings each year, paying per photo can become expensive. That’s where subscription plans come in.

Virtual Staging Cost Breakdown

Per-Photo Pricing Models

Many companies still use the traditional per-photo model. You pay for each staged image, usually with bulk discounts if you order a larger package.

Pros:
- Simple and predictable for one-off projects.
- Easy to budget if you only sell 1–2 homes per year.
- Great for homeowners selling a single property.
Cons:
- Costs multiply quickly for agents with consistent listings.
- Limited flexibility—each new photo is a new charge.
- Revisions may incur extra fees.

Subscription-Based Pricing Models

Subscription models are becoming increasingly popular for real estate agents, photographers, and brokerages with recurring needs. Instead of paying $40–$100 for every single photo, you pay a much lower per-photo cost by committing to a monthly or annual plan.

Pros:
- Dramatically lower per-photo cost.
- Unlimited edits and revisions often included.
- Predictable budgeting for agents and brokerages.
- Encourages agents to stage more photos per listing, enhancing marketing impact.
Cons:
- Requires a steady volume of listings to maximize value.
- Not always practical for one-time sellers.

This approach makes budgeting predictable and gives agents the flexibility to stage as many listings as needed without overspending.

Case study:
A brokerage with 50 listings a year wants 12 photos staged for each property. At industry averages ($40 per photo), the cost would be $24,000 annually. With a subscription plan like Edensign’s Premium ($0.28/photo), the cost would be just $168 annually for the same 600 photos—or $504 for 1800 photos. The savings are massive, freeing budget for marketing or photography.

Edensign Virtual Staging Pricing

Edensign is one of the companies making subscription-based staging accessible. Instead of paying industry averages, they offer high-volume, low-cost plans with premium features included.

Here’s a breakdown of Edensign’s two main plans:

Professional Plan

600 Photos/Year
$0.40 per photo (Cancel anytime)
Designed for active realtors and photographers
Includes unlimited renders, edits & downloads
Custom furniture references
Instant turnaround
No watermark
Furniture removal + editing tools
High-resolution downloads & lifetime storage

Who it’s for: Agents who list 2–3 homes monthly. With 8–10 staged photos per home, the plan covers roughly 5–6 listings each month at a fraction of traditional costs.

Premium Plan

1800 Photos/Year
$0.28 per photo (Cancel anytime)
Tailored for brokerages and real estate teams
All the same features as Professional, plus scalability for high-volume staging needs

Who it’s for: Brokerages with large portfolios, teams handling dozens of properties, or photographers offering staging as a service. With this plan, staging becomes so inexpensive that teams can stage every single listing photo if desired.

Comparison: Industry Average vs. Edensign Pricing

Below is a simple side-by-side comparison to show how much you could save with Edensign:

Provider Type	Average Cost per Photo	Example Package (10 photos)	Annual Cost (600 photos)
Industry Low-Cost	$25	$250	$15,000
Industry Premium	$100	$1,000	$60,000
Edensign Professional Plan	$0.40	$4	$240
Edensign Premium Plan	$0.28	$2.80	$504 (for 1800 photos)

👉 Key takeaway: Edensign reduces staging costs by over 95% compared to industry averages, while still offering unlimited edits, customization, and instant turnaround.

Cost Comparison: Virtual Staging vs Traditional Staging

To truly understand the value of virtual staging, it helps to compare it with traditional staging:

Traditional Staging Costs:
- $2,000–$5,000+ per home depending on size and style
- Ongoing rental fees for furniture
- Logistics of moving and storing furniture
- Scheduling hassles for setup and removal
Virtual Staging Costs:
- As little as $25–$150 per photo with industry providers
- As little as $0.28 per photo with subscription models like Edensign
- No furniture rental or moving costs
- Instant results with no physical labor

Example:
A 2,000 sq ft home staged traditionally might cost $3,500. Virtually staging 8–10 photos could cost under $50 with Edensign. That’s a savings of thousands per listing.

Why Cost Savings Matter for Realtors and Sellers

It’s not just about saving money—it’s about increasing ROI. Realtors who can cut staging costs dramatically often reinvest those savings into better photography, online advertising, or lead generation, which leads to faster sales and higher commissions.

For sellers, lower costs mean they can showcase their property more effectively without draining equity. A beautifully staged listing attracts more online views, more showings, and ultimately better offers.

In a market where every dollar counts, the affordability of virtual staging can be the difference between a property sitting unsold and a home closing quickly at a desirable price.

Factors That Affect Virtual Staging Costs

While average prices give a general idea, the exact cost of virtual staging depends on several key factors:

1. Number of Photos

The more rooms or angles you stage, the higher the cost. A small condo may only require 4–6 photos, while a luxury estate could need 20+. Subscriptions make bulk staging far more affordable.

2. Type of Room

Staging a living room or bedroom is usually straightforward, but kitchens and bathrooms can be more complex because of fixed elements like cabinetry, countertops, and fixtures. Some providers charge extra for these areas.

3. Turnaround Time

If you need staged photos in 24 hours, expect to pay rush fees. Standard turnaround is typically 2–3 days, though Edensign’s instant turnaround eliminates the wait without added costs.

4. Furniture Style & Customization

Basic staging with generic furniture is cheaper than staging with luxury or custom-requested styles. Some agents provide reference photos to match a buyer demographic (e.g., mid-century modern, coastal, or Scandinavian). Providers like Edensign include customization at no extra cost.

5. Editing and Re-Rendering

If you want to test different styles or make changes after seeing the initial results, some providers charge for edits. With Edensign, unlimited renders and edits are included in the subscription, which drastically improves ROI.

Is Virtual Staging Worth the Cost?

The question isn’t just how much virtual staging costs—it’s whether it’s worth the investment. The short answer: yes, absolutely.

Benefits for Realtors

Faster sales: Staged homes sell up to 73% faster than unstaged ones.
Better marketing: Professional-looking photos grab attention on Zillow, Redfin, and MLS.
Affordable branding: Agents can market themselves as providing premium services at minimal cost.

Benefits for Sellers

Higher offers: Staged homes can sell for 5–10% more than vacant ones.
Reduced upfront expenses: Instead of paying $3,000–$5,000 for traditional staging, sellers pay a few dollars per photo.
Emotional connection: Buyers visualize themselves in the home, making offers more likely.

ROI Example

An agent stages 12 photos of a $450,000 listing using Edensign’s Professional Plan. The cost is $4.80 total. If staging helps the property sell for just 1% more ($4,500), the ROI is nearly 1,000x the staging investment.

Real-World Use Cases

Case Study 1: Solo Agent

A new agent handling 10 listings per year uses industry-average providers at $40 per photo. With 10 staged photos per listing, the annual cost is $4,000. By switching to Edensign’s Professional Plan ($240 annually), the agent saves $3,760—enough to reinvest in professional photography.

Case Study 2: Large Brokerage

A brokerage with 150 listings per year needs 12 photos staged for each property (1,800 photos annually). At $25 per photo (industry low), the cost would be $45,000 annually. With Edensign’s Premium Plan, the cost is only $504. That’s a savings of over $44,000.

Common Myths About Virtual Staging Costs

“Cheap staging means cheap results.”
Not always true—technology has improved, and affordable providers can deliver stunning results. The key is finding a reliable partner.
“It’s too expensive for small properties.”
Virtual staging can be tailored to just 1–2 key rooms, costing under $10 with subscription models. Even small condos benefit from staged photos.
“Buyers will know it’s fake and lose interest.”
Most buyers expect virtual staging in today’s digital-first market. In fact, they often appreciate being able to see the home’s potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many photos should I stage per listing?

Most experts recommend staging 8–12 photos for a standard home. Focus on the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and any unique spaces (like an office or outdoor patio).

Do staged photos come with watermarks?

Some providers watermark staged images, which can reduce their professionalism. Edensign provides watermark-free, high-resolution downloads.

Are subscription plans better than per-photo pricing?

For one-time sellers, per-photo pricing may work fine. But for agents or brokerages, subscriptions slash costs and simplify budgeting.

What’s included in the price?

This varies by provider. Some only include the initial render, while others (like Edensign) offer unlimited edits, customization, furniture removal, and lifetime storage.

Can I try virtual staging before committing?

Yes, many companies offer free samples or trial photos. Edensign’s cancel-anytime model also reduces risk.

Conclusion: Affordable, Flexible, and Scalable

Virtual staging has completely transformed how homes are marketed online. While industry averages range from $25–$150 per photo, subscription models like Edensign bring costs down to as little as $0.28 per photo—making staging accessible for every realtor, brokerage, and seller.

Compared to traditional staging, virtual staging is not just cheaper—it’s faster, more flexible, and easier to scale. Whether you’re an agent listing a few homes a year or a brokerage managing hundreds, the ROI is undeniable.

👉 Ready to cut staging costs by over 95%? Explore Edensign’s Professional and Premium Plans and start transforming your listings today.