Student Housing Near Me Under 700
Finding student housing near me under $700 a month is realistic in many US college towns, but almost never for an apartment of your own. At that price you are usually looking at a private bedroom in a shared apartment or house, a room in a student community with several roommates, or a shared room on campus. In most big cities and expensive markets, $700 will not stretch that far at all.
The single most useful rule: judge every listing by its total monthly cost, not the advertised rent. A $650 room that adds $120 in utilities and fees is really a $770 room, while a $720 room with everything included may be the better deal.
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Where Under $700 Is Most Realistic
Rents vary hugely by location, so where you study decides whether $700 is achievable.
Mid-sized and smaller college towns in the South and Midwest are where sub-$700 rooms are most common. In places like Columbia, South Carolina, shared rooms in apartments and student communities can fall below $700 a month, especially further from campus. You can compare current options on our page for student housing in Columbia, SC.
Large student communities with four or five bedroom units often price individual beds lower than smaller apartments, particularly in older buildings or ones a short drive or shuttle ride from campus.
On-campus shared rooms can work out below $700 a month when you spread the semester rate across the months you live there, although you will usually need a meal plan on top.
Expensive cities and coastal markets rarely offer private rooms under $700. If you study in one, compare commuting from a cheaper nearby town, or consider on-campus housing.
Types of Housing You Can Get for Under $700
| Option | What you usually get | What to watch for |
| Room in a shared house | Private bedroom, shared kitchen and bathroom | Joint leases and utility splits |
| Bed in a student apartment | Private bedroom, sometimes private bath | Extra fees and installment rules |
| Shared room on campus | Shared bedroom, bathroom often shared | Meal plans and academic-year contracts |
| Sublet or lease takeover | A room for a semester or summer | Landlord approval and short notice |
The Hidden Costs That Push You Over $700
- Utilities. Electricity, water, gas and internet can add a significant amount each month if they are not included.
- Monthly fees. Amenity, trash, pest control and technology fees add up.
- Parking. Often charged separately in student buildings.
- Renters insurance. Many landlords require it.
- Upfront costs. Application fees, admin fees and a security deposit are due before you move in.
Ask for a written breakdown of every cost. Our guide on budgeting for application fees and admin charges explains which charges to expect.
How to Find Housing Under $700
- Set your real budget. Decide your maximum total monthly cost, including utilities, not just rent.
- Use your university's off-campus housing site. Many schools run official listing sites that include rooms, shared units and sublets.
- Filter by price and distance, then check transport. A cheap room with no bus route may cost you more in time and gas.
- Look at shared and larger units. Four and five bedroom apartments usually have the lowest per-bed prices.
- Search early. The cheapest rooms go first, often months before term.
- Consider sublets. Students leaving for a semester or summer often rent rooms below market rate.
- Tour before paying. Visit in person or by live video. Our list of questions to ask when touring an apartment helps you check everything.
Our guide on how to find affordable student rooms covers more search tactics.
Is the Cheapest Option Always Best?
Not always. A very cheap room can bring long commutes, poor maintenance, unsafe areas or a joint lease that leaves you paying for a roommate who stops paying. Our warning on why cheap student accommodation can become your biggest mistake explains what to weigh against price. Safety especially is worth paying a little more for, and our guide to safety in off-campus student housing lists the checks to make.
Avoiding Rental Scams
Low-priced listings attract scammers. Be cautious of rent far below similar listings, landlords who are "out of the country", requests for a deposit before you see the place, and payment by wire transfer, gift cards or cash apps to people you have never met. Never pay until you have verified the property and the landlord, and get everything in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find student housing under $700 a month?
Yes, in many mid-sized and smaller college towns, usually as a private room in a shared apartment or house, or a bed in a larger student apartment. It is much harder in expensive cities.
What kind of housing costs under $700?
Typically a room in a shared house, a bed in a four or five bedroom student apartment, a shared on-campus room, or a sublet.
What hidden costs should I budget for?
Utilities, monthly fees, parking, renters insurance, and upfront costs such as application fees and a security deposit.
Where should I look for cheap student housing near me?
Start with your university's official off-campus housing site, then compare listing sites, filtering by total cost and distance to campus.
Is it cheaper to live on or off campus?
It depends on your school. Shared on-campus rooms can be competitive once spread across the months you live there, but meal plans add cost. Compare total costs for both.
How early should I look for cheap student housing?
Several months ahead. The lowest-priced rooms are usually taken first.
Are sublets a good way to save money?
Often, yes. Students leaving for a semester or summer frequently rent rooms below market rate. Always confirm the landlord approves the sublet.
How do I avoid scams when renting cheap rooms?
Never pay before viewing, avoid wire transfers and gift cards, verify the landlord, and be wary of rent far below similar listings.
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Final Word
Student housing near me under $700 is achievable in many college towns if you share, search early and judge every listing by its total monthly cost. Use your university's listings, compare transport and safety as well as price, and never pay before you have seen the place and verified who you are paying.