Dorm or apartment? A student cost and lifestyle guide
You got into university and now the question is: live in a dorm or rent a place with roommates? The answer depends on price, but also on lifestyle, city and budget. There is no single right answer, but there is a systematic way to decide.
This post compares the two on cost, freedom, safety and social life, and gives you a formula to work out your own monthly cost. Prices vary a lot by city and year, so we share a method rather than numbers.
Work out the real monthly cost first
To compare fairly you need more than the rent or the dorm fee. The total monthly cost is:
Total monthly cost = housing + utilities + food + transport + other
| Item | Dorm | Shared apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Dorm fee | Rent share + building fees |
| Utilities | Often included | Electricity, water, gas, internet share |
| Food | Dining hall or eating out | Groceries and home cooking |
| Transport | Depends on distance to campus | Depends on location |
| Upfront costs | Low | Deposit, fees, furniture |
| Other | Fewer cleaning costs | Household items, cleaning |
Fill in each line with current prices for your own city and add up both columns. For dividing apartment costs see the student apartment budget.
Freedom and routine
- Dorm: There may be rules, curfews and guest limits. The routine is ready-made but flexibility is low.
- Apartment: You set the rules with your roommates. You get more freedom and more responsibility: bills, cleaning and tracking expenses are on you.
A roommate agreement and a chore chart make an apartment run far more smoothly.
Social life and safety
- In a dorm it is easy to meet lots of students, which helps in the first year.
- In an apartment your circle is smaller but can be closer.
- Safety matters either way: when renting, use the viewing checklist and read the lease carefully. For dorms ask about entry control and cameras.
Seven questions to decide
- Which of the two total monthly costs fits my budget?
- Can I cover the upfront costs (deposit, first rent, furniture) now?
- How long and how expensive is the commute?
- Do I need a quiet place to study?
- Do I know people I could trust as roommates? (writing a roommate ad)
- Do I want to deal with cooking, cleaning and bills?
- Would "dorm first year, apartment after" suit me?
A staged plan: dorm first, apartment later
A sensible route for many students is to live in a dorm in the first year, learn the city and campus, and move into an apartment with friends you trust from the second year. That lowers the uncertainty of year one and lets you choose roommates you already know.
When you move to an apartment, settle money questions early with our guide to money questions to ask a roommate. Ev Ortağım then calculates rent and bill splits automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dorm or a shared apartment cheaper?
It depends on the city, dorm type and apartment location. Calculate the total monthly cost (housing, utilities, food, transport) for each.
What is the biggest cost of renting as a student?
Usually the upfront cost: deposit, first rent, possible fees and furniture. Plan it separately from monthly costs.
How do roommates manage shared costs?
Agree the split for rent and bills in advance and keep a record. A sheet or an expense app makes it easy.