Best Student Accommodation in Philadelphia, USA

Popular Philadelphia - PA areas amongst university students are University City, Spruce Hill, and Powelton Village. There are a few things to keep in mind while searching for the perfect student area to stay in, including transportation, cost, and amenities.

1. Students living in University City will be near the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University and purpose-built student apartments would cost around $800 - $1,200/month.

• Travel time from University City to Philadelphia’s Downtown by different modes of transportation:

• Bus - 15-20 minutes

• Taxi - 10-15 minutes

• Walking - 30-45 minutes

2. Students living in Philadelphia - PA, Spruce Hill and purpose-built student flats would cost approximately $600 - $850/month. In this area nearby universities include the University of Pennsylvania and the University of the Sciences. 

• Travel time from Spruce Hill to Philadelphia’s Downtown by different modes of transportation:

• Bus - 15-25 minutes

• Taxi - 10-15 minutes

• Walking - 35-50 minutes

3. Students living in Powelton Village and purpose-built student rooms would cost around $500 - $750/month. In this area nearby universities include the University of Pennsylvania and the University of the Sciences. 

• Travel time from Powelton Village to Philadelphia’s Downtown> by different modes of transportation:

• Bus - 20-30 minutes

• Taxi - 15-20 minutes

• Walking - 45-60 minutes

Philadelphia - PA has a variety of student room options, and students can explore different areas in the City in proximity to their universities and budgets. 

Popular student Off-Campus Housings in Philadelphia- PA that provide almost every room type are Yugo Philadelphia Carriage House, Chestnut Street Apartments, and Nice double bedroom in Fairmount. Humble double bedroom close to the Community College of Philadelphia and Bright studio close to Girard Station 

The purpose-built student housing in Philadelphia - PA typically includes a variety of amenities included in the bills; it varies according to the provider's terms and conditions. But broadly, we suggest a student should consider budget, needs, and preferences while making decisions. 

Here, we have categorised the room types given below based on preferences and budget to help you in your decision-making.

Type 1: Affordable off-campus student housing in Philadelphia - PA: 

These cost around $500 - $800/month on average and are recommended for students who are comfortable sharing space. Typically, such properties are houses or apartments. 

• Shared room

  • Amenities: Self-contained apartment with multiple bedrooms, shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: $500 to $900/ month

  • Spruce Hill avg. Rent: $450 to $800/ month

  • Powelton Village avg. Rent: $350 and up to $700/ month

  • Recommended Philadelphia - PA student housing for shared rooms are Cool double bedroom close to The Met Philadelphia , Neat double bedroom next to Fairmount Subway station, and Appealing studio in the heart of Fairmount.  

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• Triple/ Quadruple rooms

  • Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: Triple: $500 - $700/month per person

                                                     Quadruple: $400 - $600/month per person

• Spruce Hill avg. Rent: Triple:  $450 - $650/month per person

                                                     Quadruple: $350 - $550/month per person

• Powelton Village avg. Rent: Triple: $400 - $550/month per person

                                                     Quadruple: $300 - $500/month per person

• Entire place

  • Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: $2,500 - $4,000 / month

  • Spruce Hill avg. Ren: $1,800 - $3,000/ month

  • Powelton Village avg. Rent: $1,500 - $2,500/ month 

Type 2: Affordable off-campus student apartments in Philadelphia - PA with privacy: These rooms cost around $400-$600/month 

• Single Room

  • Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: $900 - $1,200/ month

  • Spruce Hill avg. Rent: $700 - $900/ month

  • Powelton Village avg. Rent: $600 - $800/ month

  • Recommended student single rooms include Yugo Philadelphia Carriage House. 

• Flatshare 

  • Amenities: Private Bedroom in a shared house or flat, shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: $600 - $800/ month

  • Spruce Hill avg. Rent: $500 - $700/ month

  • Powelton Village avg. Rent: $400 - $600/ month

  • Recommended student-shared flats include Yugo Philadelphia Carriage House. 

• Twin Rooms

  • Amenities: One room with 2 single beds, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: $700 - $900/ month per person

  • Spruce Hill avg. Rent: $600 - $800/ month per person 

  • Powelton Village avg. Rent: $500 - $700/ month per person 

  • Recommended student-Twin Rooms include Yugo Philadelphia Carriage House. 

• Double Rooms

  • Amenities: One bedroom with double bed, shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: $700 - $900/ month per person

  • Spruce Hill avg. Rent: $600 - $800/ month per person 

  • Powelton Village avg. Rent: $500 - $700/ month per person 

Room Type 3: Philadelphia - PA Off-campus student rooms with privacy, quiet space, and near the Downtown cost around $800-$1,100/month. 

• Student Flats 

  • Amenities: Private bedroom, private bathroom, private kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: $800 - $1,200/ month

  • Spruce Hill avg. Rent: $600 - $900/ month

  • Powelton Village avg. Rent: $500 - $800/ month

• Student En-Suite Rooms 

  • Amenities: Single bedroom, Private bathroom, shared kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: $1,000 - $1,400/ month

  • Spruce Hill avg. Rent: $800 - $1,100 / month

  • Powelton Village avg. Rent: $700 - $900/ month

• Student Studios

  • Amenities: private bedroom, Private bathroom, private kitchen

  • University City avg. Rent: $1,200 - $1,500/ month

  • Spruce Hill avg. Rent: $900 - $1,200/ month

  • Powelton Village avg. Rent: $800 - $1,000/ month

  • Popular student studios include Yugo Philadelphia Carriage House. 

Room Type 4: Students who prefer amenities over budget

Student Penthouse in Philadelphia - PA costs around $3,000 and $7,000/month.

These are suitable for students who prefer to have private bedrooms, a private balcony, a terrace, privacy, spacious rooms, and a top floor which is more over budget.

It varies depending on students’ lifestyle choices, but overall keeping your Philadelphia - PA student housing rent apart, some additional expenses such as Food expenses cost + Transportations cost + US$140 - US$440 are overlooked. We have curated a list of such necessary items along with some tips to help you reduce cost of living in the Philadelphia - PA as a student:

• Food Expenses: $200-$400 /month on average. 

  • We suggest buying groceries that cost around $200 /month and cooking your own meals. 

  • Shop from grocery stores such as which offer student discounts on groceries items such as.

    • Trader Joe's : Store available in Philadelphia - PA which frequently have sales and special offers, making it easy to score good deals on essentials like produce, frozen food, and pantry staples.

    • Target store : Store available in Philadelphia - PA which runs weekly sales and promotions on groceries alongside other household essentials, including food and also offers RedCard for additional discounts.

    • Aldi : Store available in Philadelphia - PA which is popular for rock-bottom prices on grocery items..

    • Walmart: Store available in Philadelphia - PA which offers student-focused Walmart Student program for free shipping on groceries orders over US$35 and access to exclusive discounts.

    • Costco : Store available in Philadelphia - PA which offers student membership-based discounts on a bulk buying groceries, including fresh produce, meat, and pantry staples.

    • Philadelphia - PA Food Banks: Offers groceries/food for free or lowest prices possible. To find such local food banks and their eligibility  criteria visit Feeding America's website or by calling 211.

• Transportation Expenses: $98 /month on average. Tips to save some money on daily transportation in Philadelphia - PA while living as a college student. According to your preferences, University distance from your residence you may choose whichever option suits you.

• Rent Bicycles: A few companies offer Docked Bike Sharing, Dockless Bike Sharing at discounted prices for students. Also, the students can look for Campus Bike Rental Programs offered by their university. Search for such companies near your student accommodation.

• Buses & Metro Passes: Many transit agencies offer student discounts on transportation fares. Generally you can visit PassFinder or American Public Transportation Association (ATA) website to find student discount passes and their Terms and Conditions.. 

• Trains: Amtrak Intercity trains connect major cities across the country, and can be a good option for weekend tours. It offers student discounts for people aged between 12-25 years.

• Ridesharing: Alternative to taxis, companies like Uber and Lyft offer student discounts.Just ensure if their services are available in Philadelphia - PA

• Carpooling: Some universities and colleges offer carpool matching programs for students.

• Electric Scooters: These are a flexible option for short trips within the city. Many companies such as Bird, Lime, Spin, Lyft, Skip, Voi, Tier, Bolt, Neuron offer student discounts or reduced fares for certain plans.Just ensure if their services are available in Philadelphia - PA.

• Kitchen Essentials: cost you around between US$140 - US$440 approximately. However, it depends upon your student room regardless of on-campus and off-campus apartments if kitchen essentials are included in the rent or not. Check the property page you are interested in, is recommended. Cost may vary according to the City.

  • Basic cookware set (pots, pans, skillet): $30-$100

  • Utensils (spatulas, spoons, forks, knives): $20-$50

  • Plates, bowls, mugs: $20-$40

  • Cutting board, knives: $20-$50

  • Small appliances (microwave, toaster, coffee maker): $50-$200

  • Tips for international students to save money on Kitchen essentials

    • Thrift stores and consignment shops

    • Reuse utensils of former students leaving the city. Join international student groups or ask your friends for someone who is ready to give away their utensils or lend you.

    • Online marketplaces are helpful to buy items at affordable prices and buying second hand items. Ensuring to personally check the item is recommended.

    • Check if your university has any College campus rentals programs for Kitchen utensils.

    • Search for Appliance rental companies nearby in the city to rent out the Kitchen essentials.

    • Cook in groups: If you are a group of students moving together, Divide the selected rental utensils bill with them. It will reduce the cost way more than expected.

• Bedding, Bathroom, Cleaning Essentials: would cost you around US$250 - US$1000 approximately.

  • Bedding Essentials would cost you around US$220 - US$850 approximately.

including

• Mattress and box spring: $150-$500 (Some properties already include it in rent, checking before buying yourself is recommended )

• Comforter: $30-$200 (Some properties already include it in rent, checking before buying yourself is recommended )

• Sheets: $20-$50

• Pillows: $10-$50

• Blanket: $10-$50

• Bathroom Essentials would cost you around US$36 - US$160 approximately.

Including

• Toothbrush: $2-$10

• Toothpaste: $2-$10

• Bar soap: $1-$5

• Body wash: $3-$15

• Shampoo and conditioner: $5-$20

• Razor: $5-$15

• Shaving cream: $3-$10

• Towel: $5-$20

• Bathrobe: $10-$50

• Cleaning Essentials: would cost you around US$30 - US$80 approximately.

Including the items shared below. Generally cleaning essentials are required for the living in studio apartments and private rooms.

• Dish soap: $1-$5

• Sponges: $1-$5 for a pack of 2-3

• Trash bags: $5-$10 for a large roll

• Laundry detergent: $5-$15 for a small bottle