If you're a University of Oregon student—or a parent helping your student figure out where to live—one of the biggest questions is probably pretty simple: How much should we actually budget for off-campus housing?

In Eugene, UO students have several very different housing options, from traditional residence halls to large corporate student apartment buildings to shared houses and townhomes managed by local property companies. The monthly price can vary dramatically depending on the type of housing, what's included, how the lease works, and whether you're paying separately for things like parking and utilities.

For families coming to Eugene from out of state, the differences can be especially difficult to sort through from a distance. So here's a practical look at what UO students can expect to pay for housing—and what they're getting for that money.

What Does UO Room & Board Housing Cost?

According to an August 2026 report from KLCC.org about the University of Oregon's Next Generation Housing of Plans, the estimated room and board cost for a first-year UO student is $18,183 for the 2026–2027 academic year.

That's approximately $2,000 per month when spread across a standard nine-month academic year—but that figure includes both housing and food.

KLCC notes that if a student would otherwise spend about $600 per month on groceries, the residence hall cost is roughly equivalent to paying $1,400 per month for an apartment, with food purchased separately.

That's an important distinction when comparing on-campus and off-campus housing, because a $1,400 apartment isn't necessarily more expensive than a $2,000 monthly room-and-board figure if the latter includes a meal plan and the former does not.

KLCC also reported that newer UO residence halls can cost considerably more. For example, some newer dorm options exceed $23,000 per year even with the smallest meal plan, while a studio-style room in Yasui Hall was reported at about $1,727 per month for the academic year.

What Does Off-Campus Housing Near UO Cost?

There isn't one standard price for UO off-campus housing. A student renting a bedroom in a shared house is looking at a very different cost structure than a student renting a private studio in a new high-rise building.

For shared off-campus housing—particularly 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom houses, townhomes and apartments—$750–$900 per person per month is a common range you'll see in current roommate and rental listings around Eugene, before utilities and any separate parking costs.

At the lower end, students may find older or less updated housing, smaller bedrooms or properties farther from campus. At the higher end, students may get more space, newer construction, multiple bathrooms, private entrances, laundry, outdoor space, parking or a location within easy walking distance of UO.

The important thing is to look at the total cost of living, not just the advertised rent.

For example:

$800 rent + $50 utilities + $0 parking = $850/month

can actually be less expensive than:

$750 rent + $75 utilities + $200 parking + $50 in additional fees = $1,075/month.

The advertised rent is only part of the picture.

4 Common Types of UO Student Housing

When comparing places to live near the University of Oregon, it helps to understand the 4 main categories you'll encounter.

#1: Shared Houses, Townhomes and Apartments (~$750-$900/mo)

This is the traditional off-campus roommate model. A group of students rents a 2-, 3-, 4- or sometimes larger-bedroom home or apartment and divides the rent between roommates. If a three-bedroom rental costs $2,400 per month, for example, three roommates would each pay approximately $800 in base rent.

Typical cost

About $750–$900 per person per month is a useful starting range for many shared off-campus rentals near UO, although prices vary based on the property, location, size, condition and amenities. Utilities are generally separate. Parking may or may not be included.

What you may get

Depending on the property, shared off-campus housing can offer:

• Multiple bedrooms
• More living space
• Full kitchens
• In-unit laundry
• Private or shared bathrooms
• Outdoor space
• Dedicated parking
• Private entrances
• Multiple floors
• More privacy than a traditional residence hall
• The ability to choose your own roommates

For students who already have a group of friends they want to live with, this can be an attractive option.

One important consideration: the lease

Many traditional off-campus rentals use joint liability leases. That means everyone on the lease is responsible for the lease obligations. If one roommate doesn't pay their share, the other roommates can potentially be affected.

In other words, this type of housing works best when you're comfortable with the people you're signing with.

#2: By-the-Bed or Individual-Lease Student Apartments (start at ~$1,100/mo)

Another increasingly common option near UO is the large student-oriented apartment building that rents by the bedroom rather than by the entire apartment.

Instead of finding three friends and signing a lease together, a student may rent one bedroom in a four-bedroom apartment. The property then assigns the roommates.

The advantage is that you're generally responsible for your own portion of the rent, rather than being financially tied to your roommates. This can be appealing for students who don't already have a group of roommates lined up.

What these buildings often offer

Large student apartment communities frequently include amenities designed around convenience and social life, such as:

• 24/7 front desk or staff
• Controlled building access
• Underground parking
• Fitness centers
• Rooftop pools
• Fire pits
• Study rooms
• Game rooms
• Community lounges
• Organized social events
• Furnished common areas
• On-site maintenance

Some even host events such as mixers and other resident activities. The experience is intentionally designed to feel more like a student community than a traditional apartment building.

What does it cost?

This is where the comparison gets more complicated. The advertised bedroom price may look competitive at first, but the total monthly cost can be considerably higher after adding parking, utilities, technology fees, amenity fees, trash, administrative fees and other charges.

Parking alone can commonly add $150–$200 or more per month at newer high-rise-style properties. That's why some large student apartment communities provide online pricing calculators that show the base rent alongside additional fees.

For parents comparing housing from hundreds of miles away, these calculators can actually be useful—but they also illustrate why comparing the advertised rent alone isn't enough.

The tradeoff

The benefit is convenience and a more predictable individual lease. The tradeoff is that you're often paying a premium for the building, amenities, staffing and individual-lease structure.

#3. University Residence Halls

For many first-year students, living on campus is the simplest option. You're close to classes, dining, campus resources and other students. You don't need to arrange utilities, find roommates or figure out a private rental lease. And for many students, that convenience is valuable.

But residence hall costs should still be compared carefully with off-campus options. As noted above, UO's estimated 2026–27 room-and-board cost for first-year students is $18,183, and KLCC reported that some newer residence hall options can cost more than $23,000 per year depending on the room and meal plan.

The advantage is that housing and food are bundled together.

The disadvantage is that students generally have less private space, less control over their living environment and fewer of the features you might find in a private apartment or house.

For some students, that's exactly what they want during their first year. For others, especially returning students, moving off campus can offer more independence and space.

#4. Locally Owned and Managed Rental Properties

Eugene also has a long-standing middle ground between large corporate apartment communities and living in a residence hall: locally owned and operated rental housing. These companies may manage houses, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes and smaller apartment buildings throughout Eugene.

The experience can be quite different from a large corporate apartment community. Instead of a national company managing hundreds or thousands of units, you may be dealing with a local owner or property management team that knows the neighborhood and the properties personally.

What can that mean for renters?

Depending on the company, you may have:

• Local staff
• A real person answering the phone
• Local maintenance personnel
• More direct communication
• Individual properties rather than one large apartment complex
• More traditional leases
• Parking included at some properties
• Fewer lifestyle-oriented amenities
• Less emphasis on communal events and building-wide social programming

There can also be tradeoffs. For example, some locally managed companies—including Mallard Properties—use joint liability leases, meaning students should be comfortable with the roommates they're applying with.

There isn't one housing model that's right for everyone. The important thing is understanding what you're paying for.

Why the Cheapest Rent Isn't Always the Cheapest Housing

This is probably the most important lesson for parents comparing UO off-campus housing. Don't compare advertised rent. Compare total housing cost.

Imagine three hypothetical options:

Option A: Shared off-campus rental

$800 rent
+$50 utilities
+$0 parking
= $850/month

Option B: Corporate student apartment

$1,000 bedroom rent
+$150 parking
+$75 utilities/fees
= $1,225/month

Option C: Residence hall

Approximately $2,000/month for room and board
− $600 estimated groceries
≈ $1,400/month housing equivalent

These aren't apples-to-apples comparisons, and actual costs vary. But they illustrate why it's important to understand what's included in the number you're looking at.

A student paying $800 in rent isn't necessarily spending only $800 on housing. And a student paying $1,000 for a bedroom isn't necessarily getting a more expensive version of the same thing. They're often paying for very different housing experiences.

What Are You Actually Paying For?

When comparing UO housing, ask yourself what matters most.

Location

How close is the rental to campus? If your student can walk to class, they may spend less on gas, parking and transportation.

Privacy

Does your student have their own bedroom? Is the bathroom shared with one roommate, three roommates or an entire floor?

Roommates

Can they choose their roommates? Are roommates assigned? Are they individually responsible for their lease?

Parking

Is parking included? Is it $50 per month? $150? $200? Is it covered or uncovered?

Laundry

Is there a washer and dryer in the unit? Is laundry shared by the building? Is it included or coin/card operated?

Utilities and fees

What's included in rent? What's not? Are there monthly technology, trash, utility administration or amenity fees?

Maintenance and management

Who do you call when something breaks? Is there a local office? Is there on-site staff? Is customer service handled locally or through a larger centralized operation?

Amenities

Does your student actually care about a rooftop pool, gym, game room or resident events? If they do, those amenities may be worth paying for. If they don't, there's no reason to assume a building with more amenities is automatically a better value.

How Much Should a UO Student Budget for Off-Campus Housing?

For families trying to establish a realistic budget, here's a simple way to think about it.

Budget-conscious shared housing: Around $750–$850 per person/month

You may find shared houses, apartments and townhomes in this range, particularly when rent is divided between several roommates. Expect utilities to be additional, and always check whether parking costs extra.

Mid-range shared housing: Around $850–$1,000 per person/month

This may get you newer construction, more space, better finishes, additional bathrooms, better parking or a particularly convenient location. Again, look at the total monthly cost.

Higher-cost individual-lease or luxury student housing: Around $1,000–$1,200+ per person/month

At this level, you're more likely to encounter individual bedroom leases, large apartment communities, extensive amenities and additional monthly fees. Parking can push the total even higher.

Residence halls

UO's 2026–27 room-and-board estimate is approximately $2,000 per month across a nine-month academic year, although this includes food and actual costs vary by residence hall and meal plan.

The Best Housing Choice Depends on the Student

There's no single “right” price for UO off-campus housing. A student who wants a rooftop pool, gym, social events and a staffed front desk may be perfectly happy paying more for those amenities. A student who already has three friends to live with may care much more about having a large kitchen, private bedrooms, laundry and a short walk to campus. A first-year student may value the simplicity of a residence hall. A senior may be ready for a quieter home and more independence. And a parent may simply want to know that their student has a safe, comfortable place to live without spending more than necessary.

The right question isn't just, “How much is the rent?”

It's: “What will we actually spend each month, and what are we getting for it?”

Questions to Ask Before Signing a UO Off-Campus Lease

Whether you're a student comparing apartments or a parent helping from another state, ask these questions before signing:

1. What is the total monthly cost?
Don't stop at the advertised rent.

2. What fees are added to the rent?
Ask for everything in writing.

3. Is parking included?
If not, find out the exact monthly cost.

4. Are utilities included?
If not, ask what students typically pay.

5. Who chooses the roommates?
You? The property? Is it a by-the-bed lease?

6. Is the lease joint or individual?
Understand exactly what your student is responsible for.

7. What's the deposit?
And under what circumstances can it be withheld?

8. Who handles maintenance?
Find out how and where your student submits requests.

9. Who actually manages the property?
Is there a local office and local staff? Or an out-of-state call center?

10. How far is it from UO?
A few blocks can make a meaningful difference in daily transportation costs and convenience. Especially in the Pacific Northwest rain!

Looking for UO off-campus housing?

At Mallard Properties, our rental homes offer the space and independence of off-campus living, with straightforward pricing, NO application fees, and a local team you can actually reach when you need help. Many homes are also designed with roommates in mind, with multiple bedrooms, private entrances, in-unit laundry and more space to spread out.

We're not a national corporate housing company—and we don't try to be. We know our properties, we know Eugene, and when you call, you'll talk to someone local.

See what's currently available and find a place that fits your budget, your roommates and the way you want to live. You can also call (541) 465-3825 or text (763) 225-3985 with questions. And make sure to check out our FAQS page for more information on UO off campus housing leases.