As a college student, how much do you spend on housing?

[c073186]

I've gone to college and lived at home for a few years, but now I'm looking to move out into an apartment of my own. So I'm wondering... how much is "normal" to spend on an apartment for a single person, while in school (meaning I would not have a full-time source of income). I know a lot depends on location and how much money is saved up... so I am not really asking you to give me a specific number... but for those of you in a similar situation, about how much do you spend on your apartment (per month)? And include any details, like if the utilities are included. I just want to get a ballpark sense of how much an average amount is to spend on a one-bedroom apartment for a college student.

[xboxer75010]

Like you said it depends on location but here in Texas you can get a modest one bedroom for $550-$650, but without knowing your location we cant really give you a good answer.

[c073186]

Like you said it depends on location but here in Texas you can get a modest one bedroom for $550-$650, but without knowing your location we cant really give you a good answer.

Wisconsin (Madison-area).

[war eagle]

At Auburn, a one bedroom can run from 350 with no utilities included to 750/800 dollars with everything but power.

I stay in a 4 bedroom/4 bath apt for 409 per month + plus power/4 which is abt 15-20.

[ravenvii]

All depends on location.

I go to school in San Francisco, and have a studio apartment that I pay ~$900/month for. Outrageous, but at least it includes everything, even half-decent internet.

[YS2003]

All depends on location.

I go to school in San Francisco, and have a studio apartment that I pay ~$900/month for. Outrageous, but at least it includes everything, even half-decent internet.
I second your comment. When I was in college, I paid about $400 a month sharing a house with 3 roommates. In upstate NY near Syracuse.

[iAmAzN]

As others have stated, it really depends on where you're looking to live. I just signed my lease for a place (with 2 others) for a town home that costs ~$1426 per month. So split that and it's about a little under $500/month for me, minus utilities, internet, etc. Whereas, if I chose to live about 30 minutes away from there, there are places that would cost ~$400/month. I choose to stay closer to campus.

[bruinsrme]

We spend $1400 on a small studio in Boston. Near Worcester $1400 will get you 3 bedrooms

[adk]

Housing is not cheap in Madison. My sister lives there. She and her roommates pay $1575 a month plus utilities for a dumpy 3 bedroom. She pays an additional $100 a month for a parking space.

[uberamd]

Duluth, Minnesota. $400/mo.

[paolo-]

In Ottawa Canada, 275$CAN for my half of a 2 bedrooms, 2 'sitting rooms' (sorry, I'm french that seems like google's best translation for salon) appartement. Fairly dingy but still an awesome roomy place. Includes heating and lighting. No need for phone, only paying for teh internets.

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

I live in Lakewood, CO (near CO School of Mines) and pay $720 a month for my apartment (not including utilities). The apartment has a family room, kitchen, bedroom, and bath - fireplace, skylight, and deck, too. There are places to be had closer to $500/month for one person, but they're a dump.

I'd say $500-800 per month, plus $100-$150 for utilities.

[Plymouthbreezer]

I pay $1,700 for a two bedroom apartment in Boston, MA. I live with one other person, so that's $850 each, plus electric and cable/internet. =/

Least it's not dumpy, and it's in a city (which, depending on the person, could be a good or bad thing).

[jav6454]

$475/month for 1 bedroom apartment in Metairie, LA

[n-abounds]

Madison's about $550 at least for a single-bedroom not including any utilities. Lots of people I know lived at the Henry Gilman...it wasn't that nice, but it's acceptable. I'd definitely say it's a "normal" amount for college ppl to spend- though living alone is always more expensive.

[wvuwhat]

Morgantown, WV. Stayed in a new 2br apartment. Everything included (pet fee, internet, cable w/ hbo, and all other utilities).

Ended up being 585 per person. Split 2 ways.

[yg17]

While I was in college, me and 3 other people rented a house for $1200/mo all utilities, cable TV and internet included in Rolla, Missouri, so it was $300/mo for me. But it all depends on where you are. $300/mo would get you a nice cardboard box in the alley between a crackhouse and a brothel on the west coast.

[jecapaga]

While I was in college, me and 3 other people rented a house for $1200/mo all utilities, cable TV and internet included in Rolla, Missouri, so it was $300/mo for me. But it all depends on where you are. $300/mo would get you a nice cardboard box in the alley between a crackhouse and a brothel on the west coast.

I think you are being generous there :p

[dukebound85]

I pay $1,700 for a two bedroom apartment in Boston, MA. I live with one other person, so that's $850 each, plus electric and cable/internet. =/

Least it's not dumpy, and it's in a city (which, depending on the person, could be a good or bad thing).

dayum

i pay 925 before utilities and have a real job and i still think its a lot

in college, i payed around 300

[tman07]

im spending 350 plus electric and cable/internet. there are 3 of us and thats my portion. 3 rooms, bath, kitchen, and a decent sized living room

[it5five]

Phoenix, AZ - $800 a month for a 1 bedroom.

[STSNorthstar]

530 a month for half of a 2 bedroom apartment in Chapel Hill, NC.

Water, sewer, tv, internet, and electricity are included.

[niuniu]

In halls I was paying £375pm, around 600 dollars at the time..

[YS2003]

It is just amazing how it is getting so expensive to go to college now. The tuition and all other expenses are going through the roof even in this terrible economy.

[Plymouthbreezer]

dayum

i pay 925 before utilities and have a real job and i still think its a lot

in college, i payed around 300
Yeah, it does suck. It's just because we're in Boston. If you go about ten more minutes out from where I am in the city, rents drop by $200-$300. So yeah, $20,400 for a September 1st to August 31st lease is a lot. I mind as well buy a condo for that, which I think will happen as soon as I'm done with my undergrad degree. Since I'm planning on attending MIT for grad school, that would work out nicely.

[samiwas]

At Auburn, a one bedroom can run from 350 with no utilities included to 750/800 dollars with everything but power.

I stay in a 4 bedroom/4 bath apt for 409 per month + plus power/4 which is abt 15-20.

When I went to Auburn, I started in a studio for $180/month, then upgraded to a decent 1-bedroom for $280/mo. Of course, both of these were in older buildings, and this was 15 years ago...but man it was cheap!

[dukebound85]

It is just amazing how it is getting so expensive to go to college now. The tuition and all other expenses are going through the roof even in this terrible economy.

almost to the point that college is not becoming worth it in a sense

[timerollson]

I pay $1,700 for a two bedroom apartment in Boston, MA. I live with one other person, so that's $850 each, plus electric and cable/internet. =/

Least it's not dumpy, and it's in a city (which, depending on the person, could be a good or bad thing).

Yep, just graduated from college (went to school here) & currently live in Boston too. This city has crappy apartments, especially for Allston/Brighton area.

I'm apartment hunting now for a studio for ~$1200/mo (RIDICULOUS!) if I decide to stay in this city. I know I could get a roommate but after 4+ years of having roommates, I need my own space. I have until August 1. I'm leaning towards moving away. I feel like I've experienced enough of this area that there's nothing really making me want to stay.

[SLC Flyfishing]

I rent a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom place on campus here at the University of Utah, it's about $900/month for rent and utilities are included in that cost, we've even got a pretty good cable package and blazingly fast internet.

I like it here.

SLC

[jecapaga]

I rent a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom place on campus here at the University of Utah, it's about $900/month for rent and utilities are included in that cost, we've even got a pretty good cable package and blazingly fast internet.

I like it here.

SLC

But it's Utah.

[Plymouthbreezer]

Yep, just graduated from college (went to school here) & currently live in Boston too. This city has crappy apartments, especially for Allston/Brighton area.

I'm apartment hunting now for a studio for ~$1200/mo (RIDICULOUS!) if I decide to stay in this city. I know I could get a roommate but after 4+ years of having roommates, I need my own space. I have until August 1. I'm leaning towards moving away. I feel like I've experienced enough of this area that there's nothing really making me want to stay.
I have some friends who live off Harvard Street in Allston, and so many places around them are insanely crappy, but the prices are a bit better than Fenway/Kenmore/Mission Hill, where I am.

[instaxgirl]

In this city, it would have cost me and my 4 flatmates £350 each for a decent 5 bedroom flat (without bills)

In halls I paid £240 with everything included, in Austrian halls this year it'll be £200 with everything included. But then I'm moving to Madrid aka the 22nd most expensive place to live in the world. Yikes. :(

[88888888]

Berkeley, California. 2 bedroom 2500 a month.

[SLC Flyfishing]

But it's Utah.

And despite what you may have heard, Utah is awesome!

SLC

[UltraNEO*]

Umm.. Greater Manchester, UK varies alot!!
You can get a dive in a old Victorian house for £25 a week
or pay a shocking £100 to live in University Cupboard (Halls).

I know which I'd choose.

Thankfully I lived and worked in the city during the years i was attending University, so my apartment costed £350 a month, plus bills and only 5mins walk from the city campus but man was it spacious!!

[thebassoonist]

$0.

I lived at home.

As a grad student, I will spend $800/month.

And despite what you may have heard, Utah is awesome!

SLC

Are you in married student housing?

[jecapaga]

And despite what you may have heard, Utah is awesome!

SLC

Utah has some pretty sights. I've spent a few weeks there but mostly SLC. Very backwards state in every sense.

[brax.j]

But it's Utah.

You sir deserve a medal for best comment ever.

And despite what you may have heard, Utah is awesome!

SLC

I have been to Utah three times in my life never did I find it "awesome!" but I guess it is a great place if you are LDS. (no offense to any mormons)

OP I paid $550 for my place when I went to USC but the place was a real dump. When I transfered to Stanford I paid for on campus housing it was way expensive but worth it.

[thebassoonist]

I have been to Utah three times in my life never did I find it "awesome!" but I guess it is a great place if you are LDS. (no offense to any mormons)


I'm not LDS but I like Utah. The liquor laws are ridiculous. It is a very, very socially conservative state and I find myself at odds with quite a few people politically. But neighbors are generally very friendly and the hiking is fantastic. I don't ski, but those who do love it here. We have an amazing ballet company, symphony, and one (some?) of the best research universities in the US. Utah has so many beautiful landscapes, from the red rock, arches, and slot canyons, to the granite mountains, farm land, and wetlands. I think Utah is awesome.

[SLC Flyfishing]

Are you in married student housing?

Yeah, but not the dumpy stuff off of 8th south. I'm up near the Heritage center.

SLC