Student Housing Chicago, IL

Based on the river that flows backwards, Chicago is the birthplace of skyscrapers and a major industrial, economic and educational powerhouse in the United States. The city is home to some of the top institutes in the world, including the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. These institutes are pioneers of higher education in Chicago and are known for their affordability and quality of education.

As a result, thousands of students every year choose Chicago as their top study abroad destination. Now one of the major problems these students face even before coming in is finding the perfect student housing Chicago. Therefore, if you are a student looking for accommodations in Chicago, you are at the right place! We, at University Living, boast a decade+ experience in helping students find their home away from home in more than 500,000 cities all across the globe. Scroll to know more about student housing options in Chicago!

The type of accommodation for students in Chicago is numerous, targeting varying budgets, living styles, and educational purposes. Some examples of accommodation in Chicago include:

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA): This entails student-oriented and fully-furnished student accommodation with study lounges, gyms, high speed wi-fi and common spaces. PBSA is especially suitable for international students seeking accommodation with convenience and a sense of community.

• Shared Apartments: These make some of the cheapest housing available for students where they rent a room and share kitchen and living areas. Students share in the cooking and cleaning, hence the reduction in expenditure.

• En-Suite Rooms: These student rooms in Chicago offer private bedrooms with attached bathrooms, while kitchens and living areas are shared. These are popular among students who want privacy but still enjoy communal living.

• Non-En-Suite Rooms: A budget-friendly option where students have a private bedroom but share bathrooms and kitchen facilities. This is one of the most affordable forms of student accommodation in Chicago.

• Studio Apartments: Such student homes in Chicago are fully furnished self-contained apartments include private kitchenette, bathrooms and bed area. This is perfect choice for those who need a private place.

Private Apartments: These student apartments in Chicago are preferred by both working professionals and students, who prefer an independent lifestyle. They offer full privacy and are usually located in central Chicago areas.

Chicago, Illinois, famously known as the "Windy City," stands as the bold, architectural heart of the American Midwest. Situated along the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan, it is the third-largest city in the United States and a vital global hub for finance, culture, and transportation. Rising from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1871, Chicago pioneered the modern skyscraper, creating a world-renowned skyline that includes icons like the Willis Tower and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower.

The city’s identity is defined by its 77 distinct neighborhoods, each offering a unique cultural flavor, from the historic jazz clubs of the South Side to the vibrant culinary scene of the West Loop. Chicago is equally celebrated for its sprawling lakeside parks, world-class museums like the Art Institute, and a legendary sports culture that bleeds blue and red. Whether it’s the reflection of the "Bean" in Millennium Park, the deep-dish pizza tradition, or the bustling elevated "L" trains, Chicago exudes a gritty yet sophisticated charm. It remains a city of broad shoulders, constantly reinventing itself while staying true to its industrial roots.

The rent for Chicago student housing starts from $949 per month with near campus locations and fully furnished amenitites. Here’s the best housing in Chicago for students:

• Infinite Chicago

• Arc at Old Colony

• Lake Meadows Apartments

• 4721 S Ellis Avenue

• Letterman Chicago

• 5049 S Drexel Boulevard

Note: Secure the best student housing under $1,199 /month and make Chicago feel like home!

The average rent for student housing Chicago ranges from $949 per to $4,450 per month. Such properties include:

• Ion Lincoln Park

• Straits Row

• Post Chicago

• Woodlawn Terrace

• Tailor Lofts

Note: Find a Chicago student home designed for studying, socializing, and thriving though University Living!

The cost of living in Chicago is ranging from $1,550 to $3,205 per month and varies depending on lifestyle and accommodation preferences. Living costs usually form the biggest expenditure and consist of student housing in Illinois which costs between $750 to 1,800 per month. Monthly costs of food amount to $300 to 450 while the utility bill comes up to be around $100 to 150. The internet and cellular costs will amount to $50 to 80 while the cost of transportation, which is cheap and inexpensive in Chicago, will be $0 to 75 per month. It is important that a student makes a monthly allowance of $200 to 350 on entertainment costs including going out and having fun. In addition to this, one needs to set aside money for buying textbooks, which could cost around $50 to 100 per month along with miscellaneous costs of $100 to 200.

Note: Students must remember that these are estimated costs and actual expenses may differ based on lifestyle, accommodation type, and location. For a more accurate estimate, students can use University Living's Cost of Living Calculator.

Chicago offers students a blend of excellent curriculum, vibrant neighborhoods, and convenient transport. Choosing the right area can enhance university life by providing comfort, affordability, entertainment, and accessibility.

• Lincoln Park: One of the best places for students in Chicago, combining the comfort of green space, good dining, and entertainment opportunities. The place is surrounded by DePaul University, thus, commuting to the college is not required at all, although you will have to spend 15–20 minutes to get to Loyola University and downtown campus of Northwestern. The area offers such interesting places for visiting as the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free of charge. Popular hangouts among students are Bourgeois Pig Cafe and The Local Option with a large selection of craft beer. Rent prices vary between $750 and $1,200 depending on the type of room.

• Hyde Park: Hyde Park, located in South Chicago, is known as a neighborhood of intellectuals, historical homes, and culture. This is where the University of Chicago can be found and therefore students only need a 5-minute to 20-minute walk to reach UIC campus. You can take the train ride to the city center via Metra Electric or CTA bus, which only takes 20 to 25 minutes. The Museum of Science and Industry, which is among the largest in the world, is one of the major cultural landmarks in this area. Some of the notable places around Hyde Park include Medici on 57th, a popular student café, and The Woodlawn Tap. Students pay around $800 to $1,300 in rent for shared accommodation.

• The Loop / South Loop: For those looking for urban life, The Loop and South Loop neighbourhoods cannot be beaten. It is only a walk away from Roosevelt University, Columbia College, and DePaul’s Loop Campus, and UIC is about a 10-15-minute drive away via public transportation. Millennium Park and Grant Park, which features Chicago’s famous “Bean” attraction, are close by. Goddess and the Baker is a perfect study destination, while Miller’s Pub is the quintessential Chicago restaurant. Rents for studios and one-bedrooms average between $1,600 and 2,500.

• Lakeview: It is a combination of affordable housing, vibrant community feel, and proximity to the Chicago Lakefront area. Students can arrive at DePaul University in a 10-minute ride via public transport, while Loyola University and Northwestern’s downtown campus are about 20-25 minutes away. The Chicago Cubs’ home, Wrigley Field, is the most recognized landmark in Lakeview. The place where the students study is known as Coffee Alley, whereas The Green Lady is renowned among its customers because of its relaxed atmosphere and tasty coffees. The price for renting shared housing ranges from $750 to $1,200 per month.

The city also offers a reliable and effective mode of public transport that allows students to commute without much hassle and at a low cost. Options for commuting include trains, buses, as well as bike-sharing facilities.

• CTA “L” Trains: This system happens to be one of the most common means of transport for students in Chicago, which comprises 145 stations within the city. Students enrolled in any participating university in Chicago are eligible to purchase a U-Pass that provides unlimited free rides. However, for those not having a U-Pass, the student rate is $0.75, as opposed to the regular rate of $2.50. The Red and Blue Lines of this service run 24 hours a day, while others usually run between 4:00 AM and 1:00 AM.

• CTA Buses: Chicago’s extensive CTA bus network operates on more than 100 routes and more than 11,000 stops. Thus, these buses are the best mode of transport for students traveling every day. Using the U-pass, full-time students may travel using the bus free of charge, while the regular price is $2.25; the discounted fare for students is $0.75. While all buses operate between 5:00 AM and 12 midnight, some selected "Owl" buses offer round-the-clock services. Students like the #146 Outer Drive Express as they easily commute to downtown using the bus. Similarly, another popular route is the #55 Garfield which operates near Hyde Park.

• Divvy Bikeshare: Students looking for a sustainable mode of transport should consider the Divvy Bikeshare program which has more than 800 docking stations in Chicago and operates throughout the year. Students from universities such as University of Illinois at Chicago, DePaul University, and University of Chicago receive a 50 percent discount on annual membership that costs $65. Annual memberships give the right to unlimited rides each lasting up to 45 minutes only. Some of the popular docking locations are Millennium Park and the intersection of Sheridan Road and Buena Avenue.

Chicago is a gorgeous city that has a lot of places that students can visit. These locations attract millions of tourists from all across the world and are such a delight to be at! Ranging from museums to magnificent buildings to historical locations and world-famous food joints, Chicago shall not bore you if you are a new student in the city. Some of the best places to visit in Chicago include:

• Millennium Park: Millennium Park is an award-winning centre for art and architecture. It is also home to Cloud Gate (The Bean), an iconic reflective sculpture that anchors the views of the city's skyline. The park also features the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a stunning outdoor concert venue designed by Frank Gehry, and the interactive Crown Fountain. It is a completely free public space that hosts massive festivals and film screenings throughout the summer months.
• The Art Institute of Chicago: Located in Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago is consistently ranked as one of the top museums in the world and houses the largest collection of Impressionist art outside of Paris. Some of the most famous masterpieces on display include Grant Wood’s American Gothic and Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. The Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano, offers a light-filled space for 20th and 21st-century art with views overlooking Millennium Park.
• Navy Pier: This tourist spot is a 3,300-foot-long pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan that serves as Chicago’s most visited lakefront destination. It features the Centennial Wheel, an IMAX cinema, the Chicago Children's Museum, and a massive botanical garden within the Crystal Gardens. In 2026, the pier remains the primary departure point for architectural river cruises and Lake Michigan dinner tours.
• Skydeck Chicago (Willis Tower): Located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), it offers 360-degree views extending across four states. The main focus of attention is "The Ledge," a series of glass-bottomed balconies that extend four feet outside the building's facade, 1,353 feet above the ground. The attraction includes a recently renovated multi-media museum on the lower levels that details the history and personality of Chicago's various neighborhoods.

These locations sometimes also provide free or discounted tickets to students. Therefore, don’t forget to get your student ID for better discounts and pricing.

Chicago is home to some of the top universities in the United States and these universities invite several thousand students every year to help them pursue their higher education in the city. This city’s education system has been shaping global leaders, from centuries-old institutions to innovative modern universities. With all these driving industries and the arts, Chicago offers an unparalleled educational space. Let’s dive deeper into some of the top universities in the Chicago:

• University of Chicago (UChicago): The University of Chicago is world famous Ivy League institution located in Hyde Park, which is famous for its rigorous "Core Curriculum" and influential research in economics and sociology. In 2026, it remains one of the top-ranked universities globally, boasting more than 90 Nobel Prize laureates among its faculty and alumni.
• Northwestern University (Chicago Campus): While the main campus of Northwestern University is in suburban Evanston, the downtown Chicago campus houses the elite Pritzker School of Law and the Feinberg School of Medicine. The school is a leader in journalism, performing arts, and business, with its Kellogg School of Management consistently ranking among the best in the world.
• University of Illinois Chicago (UIC): UIC is Chicago’s largest public research university and a major hub for healthcare, hosting the largest medical school in the United States. It is recognized as one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, serving as a primary engine for social mobility in Chicago.
• DePaul University: This is the largest Catholic university in the United States, with its two main campuses located in Lincoln Park and the Loop. The institute is world famous for its focus on experiential learning and its strong programs in drama, business, and computer science. The university is deeply integrated into Chicago's business district, offering students extensive internship opportunities with Fortune 500 companies.

These are some of the top institutions in the United States, and students compete head-to-head to become a part of these universities.