Student accommodation in the US

The average cost of rent in the US doesn’t clearly show how much your rent could cost. Given that rent varies vastly from city to city, and cities compared to rural areas are a lot more expensive, it’s best to look at the average rent of a specific area.¹

For instance, a one-bedroom apartment could cost anywhere from $600 in a rural area and can go up to $3,000 in Boston, depending on the area.¹ However, renting outside campus is still generally less expensive than living on campus, which can cost around $450 per month for a shared bedroom.

However, for first year students, you are recommended to stay in the university accommodations as all the utilities (e.g. WiFi, electricity and water bills) have already been included. Students need to arrange their own utilities for private accommodations. Check with your accommodation provider to find out what is included and excluded in the fees to ensure you are getting the best value.

Most students would choose to live on campus for their first year to experience the much-celebrated American campus life. It is also the best way to make friends in your first year and get closer to campus facilities.