Student Housing Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania, also known as the city where the declaration of USAs independence was signed is one of the most historic and famous cities in the United States. It is also a major student hub for international students wishing to pursue their education abroad. Every year, several thousand students come to the city to become a part of some of the most distinguished institutions in the city.

Philadelphia is home to more than 100,000 students pursuing higher education and one of the main problems they face even before coming to the city is finding the perfect option for student housing Philadelphia. If you are a student admitted to a university in the Pennsylvanian city, you are at the right place. With over a decade in experience in helping students find the best student property for themselves, University Living lets students choose from a pool of 5 million + student properties all across the property. Get in touch with our property advisors and book your student accommodation in Philadelphia while enjoying the comfort of your home.

Students get to choose from a plethora of options for student housing in Philadelphia. These options are divided into 2 broad types: PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodations) and Private Apartments. These accommodation types offer students the opportunity to choose a student property without worrying about the budget. You can find student apartments in Philadelphia starting at just $500 per month. Let’s discuss the accommodation types in brief:

1. PBSAs: PBSAs are special properties that are made for students and are further divided into 4 types to provide better options to students. These PBSAs include:

• Shared Apartments: These apartments are the most affordable option for student rooms in Philadelphia. In these apartments, students get to share a room with 2/3 occupants with a shared washroom, a shared kitchen, and a shared living room. These are best suited for new students who are in their early days in the city.

• En-Suite Accommodations: These accommodations are the most preferred property type among students in the city. Students get to have an entire room attached to a washroom for themselves, along with a shared living room and a kitchen. These properties offer more privacy than a shared apartment and cost a little more as well.

• Non En-Suite Accommodations: These housing options are almost similar to an En-Suite accommodation. The only major difference between the two is that in a non-en-suite accommodation, the washroom is shared among the occupants of the property

• Studio Apartments: These apartments are the best accommodation type in a PBSA and are known for the high level of comfort and privacy that they have to offer. In a studio apartment, students get to have an entire room for themselves that is attached to a washroom and a kitchen. Studio apartments do not come with a living room, and this independent unit is for just one person.

2. Private Apartments: Private Apartments are independent units that are available for lease for anyone coming to the city. These properties are mostly preferred by working professionals and students who have already spent at least 2-3 years in the city, as these properties do not include any furnishings or appliances. These apartments come as bare units that need to be set up entirely. Moreover, unlike PBSAs, utility bills like electricity, water and gas are not included in the rent. These bills are an extra on top of the rent. But privacy and freedom makes it all worth it in the end!

Philadelphia is the capital of Pennsylvania and is one of the top choices for students wishing to pursue their education abroad. This is also the most affordable cities when compared to other state capitals and major American cities. Philadelphia is America’s oldest and historically relevant cities in the country. It is the home to America’s first hospital (1751), first medical school (1765), first library (1731), and first zoo (1874).

In 2026, the city will be celebrating its Semiquincentennial celebrations (250 years). It is also one of the host cities of 2026 FIFA World Cup. Students will be astonished to know that Philadelphia produces one out of every six doctors in the United States. This makes Philadelphia, a top choice for students wanting to pursue education in the United States.

Philadelphia is the 6th-largest city in the United States and is also the capital of Pennsylvania. The total land area of Philadelphia is around 135 square miles, which means the city has an ample amount of area to fit its population of more than a million residents. Although the city is one of the safest in the state, not every area is built for student housing. There are special neighbourhoods that already have an established student community.

Staying close or in such areas provides students with the advantage of staying close to their peers and reaching out to them in times of any concerns or problems they might face in the city. Also, these neighbourhoods are specially developed near major public transit systems that help students travel easily across the city.

• University City: The University City is a popular neighbourhood for student housing in Philadelphia. The area is also known as the academic heart of West Philadelphia as it houses the top universities in the city, the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. This area offers a mix of high-end luxury high-rises and historic shared row houses catering to diverse budgets. The area is extremely walkable and heavily patrolled by university police, making it one of the safest student hubs. Residents have immediate access to world-class dining, the Penn Museum, and rapid transit into Centre City.

• Templetown: Located in the northern part of Philadelphia, Templetown is one of the most popular areas among international students as it is located around Temple University. This neighbourhood is densely populated with undergraduate students and student-specific apartment complexes. Housing here is often more more affordable than in University City, with many buildings offering private security and roommate-matching services. Overall, the neighbourhood is vibrant and social, featuring many student-oriented eateries and the Liacouras Centre for events.

• Center City (Rittenhouse & Market East): The most famous and happening part of the city is the city centre. This is also Philadelphia's commercial and cultural hub, popular with graduate, law, and medical students from Jefferson and Wharton. The city centre provides an upscale urban lifestyle with high-rise living near Rittenhouse Square and the Reading Terminal Market. Although the rent is significantly higher, students save time with a central location and proximity to every major SEPTA transit line. It is best suited for those who want to be steps away from the city's best nightlife, shopping, and professional opportunities.

• Manayunk & East Falls: One of the most aesthetic neighbourhoods for student accommodation in Philadelphia is Manayunk and East Falls. Located along the Schuylkill River, these areas are favourites for students studying in Thomas Jefferson (East Falls campus) and Drexel medical students. The vibe of Manayunk is more relaxed and "small-town," featuring hilly streets, Victorian homes, and the bustling Main Street Manayunk. It is considered one of the safer residential areas and offers more green space and parking compared to the downtown core. Students can easily commute to Centre City via the Regional Rail or enjoy the scenic Schuylkill River Trail for biking.

Philadelphia is the capital of Pennsylvania and is, therefore, quite an expensive city in the state. However, when compared to other major American cities like NYC, Los Angeles or San Francisco, Philadelphia is a steal deal in terms of cost of living. Although the cost of living is a personal concept that is determined by the type of choices you make and the lifestyle you lead, if you plan your expenses and budget properly, you can expect to spend a month in Philadelphia in well under $1000 a month. The table below highlights some of the major expenses that you might undertake as a student in Philadelphia:

Note: These figures are tentative and might change based on your personal expenses and lifestyle that you try to lead.

There are a zillion options to choose from when it comes to student properties in Philadelphia. However, there are a few things that must be kept in mind while looking for the right student property in the city. The property must be located close to the university that you’ve chosen, and also near major public transit systems. Some of the top housing options for students in Philadelphia include:

• The Chestnut at University City

• The Radian

• Evo at Cira Centre South

• The York

• Hamilton Court

These properties are some of the best in the city and offer unmatchable facilities and utilities to students.

When it comes to affordable student rooms in Philadelphia, there are various options for students to choose from. These properties fulfil all the necessary requirements for good student housing. The best part about these properties is that, in spite of being affordable, they do not compromise on the services and facilities that they have to provide. Some of the best affordable properties for students in Philadelphia include:

• The Elanor at Walnut

• The Elanor at Chestnut

• Avery Philly

• University Crossings

• The Summit at University City

There are some of the top affordable properties in the city that are absolutely loved by students and sell out instantly like hot pancakes!

One of the major concerns for students before coming to Philadelphia is travelling in the city! However, managed by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the city has developed an extensive network of public transit systems that help the millions of residents in the city to travel from one end to the other. Especially for students, there are other public transit systems run by several universities in the city, which are available only to students. All of these modes of transport are explained briefly below:

• SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority): This is the primary mode of public transport in Philadelphia and includes the primary public transit system, including buses, subways, trolleys, and Regional Rail services. College students can access deep discounts (up to 80%) through the UPass program or a 10% discount via the SEPTA Semester Pass. This makes SEPTA one of the top choices for students to travel throughout the city.

• University Shuttles & Intercampus Transit: The best part about Philadelphia is that several top universities like Temple, Drexel, and UPenn operate their own shuttle networks to transport students between campuses and nearby neighbourhoods. These buses run on specific routes, such as the LUCY (Loop Through University City), and are free for students who are a part of the West Philadelphia institutions with a valid ID.

• Biking & Micromobility: Biking is a major emerging mode of transport for residents in the city. This is because the government of Philadelphia is trying to make the city free of pollution and traffic. Philadelphia is highly bikeable, and students often use the Indego bike-share system, which frequently offers student-specific discounts and community ambassador programs. Many campuses provide dedicated bike resources, including free repair stations, indoor storage, and helmet reimbursement programs. In 2026, the city is continuing its Vision Zero initiative to improve protected bike lanes and street safety for all commuters.

Philadelphia is a spectacular city which is also a very important part of American history. The city is home to several monuments and places that you cannot afford to miss as a tourist or student living in the city. These tourist spots attract millions of tourists every year to the city! Some of the top spots are mentioned below:

• Independence National Historical Park: Popularly known as America’s most historic square mile, this park houses the UNESCO World Heritage Site Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. In early 2026, the hall underwent significant interior preservation to prepare for the nation’s semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) celebrations. Visitors can enjoy free self-guided "open house" hours in the mornings, though timed entry tickets are typically required for guided tours later in the day.

• The Liberty Bell Center: Located just steps from Independence Hall, this centre houses the Liberty Bell, a global symbol of freedom famous for its distinctive crack and its inscription: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land". Entry is free and does not require tickets, though visitors must pass through a security screening to view the bell and its accompanying historical exhibits. The bell serves as a unifying symbol for the "Bells Across Pennsylvania" project, which features artist-designed replicas throughout the state.

• Philadelphia Museum of Art & The "Rocky Steps": One of the largest art museums in the U.S., it is equally famous for its 72 stone steps, which were immortalised by Sylvester Stallone in the film Rocky. In August 2026, the iconic bronze Rocky Statue is scheduled to be permanently relocated from the bottom of the steps to a new home at the top of the terrace. While the museum requires a paid ticket for entry, running the steps and posing with the statue remains a popular and free public activity.

• Reading Terminal Market: Established in 1893, this is one of America's oldest and largest public markets, hosting over 80 merchants under one roof. It is a paradise for food lovers where visitors can find authentic Philly cheesesteaks, Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods, and diverse international cuisines. Located in the heart of Center City, it is a bustling hub for both locals and tourists seeking a unique "flavours of Philly" experience.

Philadelphia is a major economic and educational powerhouse in the state of Pennsylvania and houses some of the oldest and best universities in the country. These institutions are pioneers in the field of higher education and therefore, millions apply to these universities while only some make the cut! Let’s discuss some of the top universities in detail:

• University of Pennsylvania (UPenn): The University of Pennsylvania is one of the most renowned and elite institutions in the world. It is an Ivy League research university and is also one of the nine colonial colleges founded before America went to revolution. UPenn is also home to the Wharton School of Business and the country’s first medical school, The Perelman School of Medicine.

• Temple University: Temple University is an internationally renowned public state-related research university with its main campus located in North Philadelphia. It is widely known for its strong programs in journalism, law, medicine, and the arts via the Boyer College of Music and Dance. The university plays a massive role in the city's culture, anchored by the Liacouras Centre and a vibrant, urban campus life.

• Drexel University: This is another one of the most preferred universities to choose from for international students. This university is famous for its unique cooperative education (co-op) program, which allows students to gain up to 18 months of full-time professional work experience. Located in University City, it focuses heavily on technology, engineering, and innovative design.