Best Student Housing in San Francisco, CA 2025-26

If you’re trying to figure out where to live while studying in San Francisco, university living would be right at the top of your list. As they make the entire process simple and stress-free, they offer handpicked, verified properties that are 100% verified for safety and quality: no sketchy landlords or dodgy listings.  

From shared apartments to private studios, University Living has a huge range of options to match your budget and lifestyle. Whether you want your own space or prefer to share it with roommates, you’ll find something that fits you.

San Francisco offers a range of student housing options to suit different lifestyles and budgets—from social dorms to private studios. Here’s a quick guide: 

Types of Student Housing in San Francisco 

1. Off-campus living: When it comes to more independence, off-campus living comes out on top, and it comes with extra privacy, life adventures, social learning, and makes students lifelong learners. In San Francisco, you’ll have tons of options, including private or shared housing, co-living apartments, dorms, and so many other options that you can easily explore at the University Living website, which includes  

• Shared Apartments or Houses: They’re less private but offer significant privacy compared to college dorms.  

• Studio Apartments / Private Rentals: You can easily find them around your university campus; they are best if you want to experience social living with full of privacy; however, this option is a bit expensive.  

2. University Halls (On-Campus): This accommodation is managed by universities like USF or SFSU. It also includes furnished rooms, utilities, and meal plans. However, the drawback is limited availability and less privacy.

Breathtakingly beautiful and comfortable housing options are available at each nearby location of college and university campuses all around San Francisco. Here are some of the best listed.  

• Three Crown: Proudly stands in the Bay Area, around 3.8 miles from Lincoln University. Nearby, you’ll get strong transit links (bus, BART, ferry) for easy Bay Area commuting.  

• Marine View: Just a short stroll away from the College of Alamanda, it offers the best living experience with 16 luxurious facilities and amenities.  

• Richelieu Suites: Close to Mission Campus, it offers stylish, fully furnished rooms with all bills included and 12 more amenities.  

• 2555 College Ave: No multiple bills are required, just pay once and enjoy your university life. 

• The Durant: Over 11 amenities offer comfortable and convenient living a bit away from your study center.  

• University Park: This pet friendly accommodation offers a luxury living experience with over 13 amenities. 

• Identity Logan Park: Secure entrance, parking option and resort style living facility are the main highlights of this accommodation.  

• Standard Berkeley: A community living with top class nearby amenities, this is the perfect place for student living. 

• Stonefire: With all bills inclusion and luxury living this accommodation offers an edge of modern living.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money and also want an affordable living option, bear with us at university living; you’ll get that too.  

Here are some of the accommodations which are the most competent in the city.  

• Spectra Southside: Not too far from your college campus yet offers all you need for a best and comfortable living. 

• The Bosco: Best for you if you’re going to study at University of California, with free bike parking this is the best option. 

• Cornelia Suites: This student housing in San Francisco offers facilities less than a mile away from the city center. You can consider it on average 35% cheaper than the average Civic Center area. 

• Taylor Suites: These fully furnished studios with private kitchens and bathrooms also include utilities and over 10 amenities and facilities.

While living in San Francisco, you’ll find various awesome neighborhoods that work well for students, each with its own vibe, price range, and lifestyle perks. Here’s a quick, student-friendly guide to the best areas for students to live in San Francisco: 

Santa Clara Ave, Alameda: 

Here you can easily find charming student housing in Alameda with easy access to downtown, public transport, shopping, and the scenic waterfront parks. Choosing Three Crown student housing will be a great choice here. 

564 Central Ave, Alameda: 

Modern, well-located housing with top colleges. Finding cozy rooms with nearby cafes, amenities, and excellent public transit. Marine View (Alameda) Apartments are the best and most luxurious student housing here. 

641 O’Farrell St: 

Centrally located student living in vibrant San Francisco; walkable to Market Street, transit, and so on. Cornelia Suites offer comfortable conversations and secure living for students.

Being a student in San Francisco, you should budget around $2,500–$4,500 monthly, depending on location, shared housing, and lifestyle choices. 

Not as expensive as people say; you can make student housing in San Francisco cheaper with some smart techniques, and you can make your living costs very affordable by using the university living cost of living calculator.

University Living offers a free cost calculator to help students easily plan and manage their monthly expenses with confidence.