You scored an internship, got into your dream school, or landed your first job in the Big Apple – congrats! Now comes the tricky part: finding affordable housing as a student in NYC.
The city isn’t exactly known for its budget-friendly rents. Luckily, NYC offers some solid student housing options beyond cramming into a tiny overpriced apartment with strangers.
Here’s a complete guide to navigating your housing search as a student living in New York City.
The Dorm Experience
Moving into a college dorm is a rite of passage for many students. Dorm life immerses you on campus and offers a built-in community. Sharing a room can be a great way to meet people and split costs. The downsides are lack of privacy, space, and restrictions on guests and alcohol.
If you love the social dorm scene, staying in on-campus housing provided by your university is an obvious option. Average dorm costs range:
- Shared Room – $1,000 to $1,500 per month
- Single Room – $1,200 to $2,000 per month
- Meal Plan – $300 to $600 per month
Off-campus dorm-style housing is also available through providers like Student Housing Solutions and EHS. These offer more independence and amenities. Expect to pay around:
- Shared Room – $800 to $1,300 per month
- Private Room with Shared Bath – $1,100 to $1,700
- Private Studio – $1,400 to $2,200
The upside is not needing a broker fee or furnishing a place. The curse of noisy hallway parties remains the same.
Sharing an Off-Campus Apartment
Finding roommates to share an apartment is a rite of passage in NYC. Splitting the rent and utilities in an off-campus apartment can greatly reduce costs. The key is finding responsible, compatible roommates.
Popular roommate finder resources include Gypsy Housing, Roomi, Craigslist and university housing groups on Facebook. Average costs to expect when sharing an apartment include:
- Bed in Shared Room – $800 to $1,500 per month
- Bed in 2-3 Bdrm Apt – $1,000 to $1,800 per month
- Foldout Sofa – $750 to $1,300 per month
Having your own bedroom in a shared apartment generally provides the best value. Make sure to budget for a broker fee ($20 to $50 application fee per roommate).
Searching for Studio Apartments
Living solo in a compact studio apartment can be heavenly after surviving freshman dorm life. Studios generally range from 350 to 550 square feet. While studios offer independence, rents are steep for students living alone.
Plan to budget:
- Studio Apartment – $1,900 to $5,500 per month or more
Look further from campus in areas like Harlem, Washington Heights, or the outer boroughs for affordable studios. Or search for micro studios that squeeze everything into 200 to 300 square feet.
Co-living – A Communal Option
Co-living companies like Common, SharedEasy, and Ollie offer furnished, amenity-filled dorm-like housing for working professionals. Think chic shared suites with rooftop lounges.
While geared toward young urbanites, some co-living communities welcome grad students. Expect all-inclusive costs between:
- Shared Room – $800 to $1,200
- Private Bed/Bath – $1,600 to $2,200
If you yearn for socialisation but enjoy private bedrooms, co-living could be a happy medium between dorm and solo apartment living.
Subletting from Travelling Students
Subletting from students studying abroad or on summer break is another handy housing hack. You can often score discounted short-term summer or semester-long rentals this way.
Listings sites like Gypsy Housing and Odd Pairs connect you with travel-bound students. Be sure to sign a sublease agreement. Average rents for sublets include:
- Shared Room – $750 to $1,500 per month
- Private Room – $900 to $2,600 per month
Just prepare for the roomie returning after summer or semester’s end.
Navigating NYU and Columbia Housing
Two of NYC’s largest universities with extensive housing resources are NYU and Columbia. Here’s a quick guide to navigating housing at these two schools:
NYU Housing
- Lots of dorm options across Manhattan from $1,200 to $2,000 per month
- 85% of freshman live in dorms
- After freshman year, students often relocate off-campus
- NYU leases buildings for University-owned apartments
Columbia Housing
- Guaranteed on-campus housing for first-years only
- Dorms house about 95% of freshman
- After freshman year, most live off campus
- Columbia has three apartment buildings offering priority to upperclassmen
Both schools have off-campus housing databases, roommate searches, and resources on leases, rental scams, and more. Take advantage of all the guidance available!
Pro Tips for Student Housing in NYC
Here are some key tips for streamlining your NYC housing search as a student:
- Start planning early – units go fast!
- Be open-minded on locations
- Build a budget and know your total costs
- Have roommates or guarantors ready
- Haggle on rent prices where possible
- Watch out for scams and see places in person before paying
- Consider university-offered apartments and dining plans
The Bottom Line
New York City offers endless excitement for students, but can be challenging when it comes to affordable housing. Follow these tips and know your options – from dorms and shares to co-living and sublets – to find the perfect student-friendly home base. You’ve got this!
