Packing your bags and heading to Austin for your studies? With its laid-back vibe, happening social scene, and near year-round sunshine, there are few better student cities out there. The hard part, however, can be finding somewhere to live.

That’s where Student.com comes in – we have an amazing range of student housing in Austin available to rent right now. And with our filter options, it’s easy to find apartments near your chosen college or university that also fit your budget.

Start browsing the student apartments in Austin listed above – or continue reading to learn more about student life in the city and the best neighborhoods to live off campus... 

Universities in Austin

Top-rated community colleges, specialized private institutions, major universities that rank among the best in the world – you name it, Austin has it. Find out more about the different study options available and work out which one is best for you below. 

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) 

The University of Texas System’s flagship institution, the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) stands as one of the leading public universities in the US. Its stunning 431-acre campus sits just north of downtown Austin, serving over 50,000 students across 15 schools and colleges.

Top-quality teaching is pretty much guaranteed whatever you choose to study here, but the university is especially strong when it comes to mathematics, engineering, business, and computer science – subjects where it ranks among the best in the world.

The sprawling campus, with its mix of modern and historic buildings, is a real highlight. There’s also a huge number of clubs open to students, while time-honored ‘Longhorn’ traditions foster a strong sense of pride among faculty and students.

Secured your place at the university and looking for somewhere to stay? Browse our range of UT Austin off-campus housing! 

Austin Community College (ACC)

Serving over 70,000 students per year, Austin Community College (ACC) is comfortably one of the largest community colleges in the US. It plays a key role in the city’s educational landscape, with many students using ACC as a stepping stone to four-year institutions like UT Austin.

The college has 11 campuses in and around Austin. Its main one – the Highland Campus, based in the heart of the city – has some amazing facilities, including the ACCeletator learning space, which has been dubbed the world’s largest learning lab.

Heading here for your studies? We have a fantastic selection of apartments near Austin Community College available to rent! 

St. Edward’s University

Offering a more close-knit college experience than its larger neighbors, St. Edward’s University is a small-sized private Catholic institution and liberal arts college with a population of roughly 3,000 students.

Its beautiful campus is a major draw for many students and offers sweeping views of the Austin skyline from its vantage point around three miles south of downtown. Working within the Holy Cross tradition, the university places strong emphasis on social justice and critical thinking in all its courses.

Looking for somewhere to stay during your studies. Explore our range of apartments near St. Edward’s University! 

Things for students to do in Austin

Austin's unofficial slogan, "Keep Austin Weird", is a good indicator of the city’s unique character – if you’re inclined towards the quirky and unconventional, you’ll never lack for interesting ways to spend your free time. Below, we take you through our top picks.

Arts & culture

Austin's cultural scene blends Texas traditions with contemporary creativity. Blanton Museum of Art, based on the UT Austin campus and freely open to UT students, houses one of Texas’ premier art collections and is a great place to start on your artistic wanderings through the city.

The Contemporary Austin is another highlight and showcases modern works at the Jones Center downtown and the beautiful lakeside sculpture park of Laguna Gloria. Texas Music Museum and the Austin Music Hall of Fame, which chronicle the city’s famous music scene, are also worth checking out.

Food & drink

Synonymous with Texas barbecue, food truck culture, and Tex-Mex dishes, Austin’s culinary scene is a dream for those who like their food unpretentious and packed full of flavour. Franklin Barbecue is probably the most iconic spot for Texas barbecue, with other options worth shouting out being Micklethwait and Terry Black’s.

For unbeatable tacos, burritos and everything else Tex-Mex, head over to Maudie's or Torchy's Tacos. In terms of food trucks, it’s estimated that there are over 2,000 dotted around the cities – for multiple options in the same place drop by at Thicket Food Park in South Austin or The Picnic on Barton Springs Road.

Entertainment

Austin didn’t come to be known as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ by accident. The city is home to countless iconic venues, such as Broken Spoke, Antone's, and Stubb's. Even your average college bar will often have live music playing – and it could be anything from country and rock to jazz, blues, and hip-hop.

Austin also plays host to some major music festivals, with SXSW and Austin City Limits both bucket list events. Music isn’t the only form of live entertainment on offer though – comedy is also massive and you can catch some of the biggest names on the circuit in clubs like Esther's Follies and the Comedy Mothership. 

Nightlife

Austin’s nightlife is always buzzing, with much of it converging on Sixth Street. Affectionally known as ‘Dirty Sixth’ by locals, this area represents the classic college scene with numerous bars, clubs, and live music venues concentrated in a compact space. The street is closed off to traffic on weekends which sees big crowds congregate, adding to the energy.

If you’re looking for something slightly more sophisticated, Rainey Street has lots of trendy bars converted from bungalows with spacious outdoor patios. East Austin is also worth checking out for its craft cocktail bars, while the Red River Cultural District is the place to go for live music.

Outdoors

Austin's natural beauty and year-round mild weather provide ideal conditions for outdoor activity. Nestled in the heart of downtown, the 361-acre Zilker Park serves as the city’s outdoor playground. You’ll often see students here playing frisbee, soccer, or simply relaxing between classes.

Swimming holes are the perfect place to cool off during summer and you can find these at Barton Springs Pool, Sculpture Falls, and Twin Falls. These last two sit with the wooded Barton Creek Greenbelt, a 12-mile stretch of scenic trails that are great for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

Best student neighborhoods in Austin

Austin has some great student neighborhoods, with the main hotspots downtown and in the areas surrounding UT Austin. Below, we take a look at three of the best neighborhoods for student housing in Austin.

West Campus

West Campus (sometimes referred to as ‘West University’) probably has the biggest concentration of off-campus housing in Austin. Bordering its namesake, UT Austin, to the west, it couldn’t be any closer to the university’s campus.

The streets here are packed with apartment buildings, co-ops, and houses catering to students. Guadalupe Street, known locally as “The Drag”, is lined with budget cafes, restaurants, and bookstores for all your basic needs.

North Campus / Hyde Park 

Just north of UT Austin, the adjacent neighborhoods of North Campus and Hyde Park are two other popular areas for UT students. They also attract young professionals and longer-term residents, which makes for a more diverse community than West Campus.

Student housing here encompasses a mix of older homes converted to apartments, small apartment complexes, and single-family houses available for group rentals. Prices tend to be cheaper than West Campus, though higher than in areas further beyond UT Austin.

Riverside

Located southeast of downtown across Lady Bird Lake, Riverside has become a popular choice for budget-conscious students looking for lower rents than those typical of West Campus, North Campus, and Hyde Park.

Despite being one of the more affordable areas for student apartments in Austin, it’s still within walking distance of downtown. UT Austin’s shuttle bus also passes through Riverside, providing a direct service to campus.

Austin cost of living

As major cities go, Austin’s cost of living is pretty reasonable and lower than the likes of Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City. Student housing represents the main expense, with the apartments we list in Austin ranging from $1,000–$1,600 per month.

For groceries, you’ll generally want to budget $200–300 per month, while you may be able to cut out transport costs completely if you live close to campus. Excluding tuition, the average student will need $1,500–$2,500 per month to get by in Austin.

Free things to do in Austin

When the student bank balance is running low, Austin offers plenty of free entertainment to keep you occupied. Blanton Museum of Art is of course free to UT Austin students, while Mexic-Arte Museum waives its fees on Sundays. If you’re into history and politics, book in for a free tour at the Texas State Capitol building.

Austin’s stunning outdoor scenery can also be enjoyed year-round without spending a dollar. We’ve already mentioned Barton Springs Pool and the Barton Creek Greenbelt, and there are great hike-and-bike trails along Lady Bird Lake, too. Missed out on a ticket to SXSW? Tag along to one of the free showcases that take place during the festival.

Student discounts in Austin

Your student ID card unlocks game-changing discounts at many of Austin’s top attractions. History buffs can snag savings at Bullock Texas State History Museum, while art enthusiasts get big money off entry to the Contemporary Austin’s Jones Center.

Movie theatres like Alamo Drafthouse and AMD Barton Creek also provide student discounts with a valid ID. If you’re going to be using public transport, be sure to pick up a CapMetro student pass for major savings on buses, trains, and bikeshares. 

Public transit in Austin

Austin has a solid public transit system with the main operator, CapMetro, running regular bus and rail services. The provider also works closely with local colleges and universities to offer student discounts.

Bus 

Buses are the backbone of the city’s public transit system with services running across most routes every 15–30 minutes. The UT Shuttle is super convenient for UT Austin students, while there’s also limited-stop MetroRapid services and Night Owl buses running until 3am. 

Train 

The MetroRail Red Line connects downtown Austin to the northern suburbs, with a convenient stop at MLK Jr. Boulevard near the east side of the UT Austin campus and another right outside ACC’s Highland Campus. 

Bikeshare

With downtown Austin being fairly compact, many students choose to cycle. If you don’t own your own bike, you can easily jump on one of the CapMetro electric bikes dotted around the city and dock it after completing your trip.

Frequently asked questions

Is Austin safe for students?

Austin is generally considered one of the safer major cities in the US. Popular student areas around UT Austin have strong safety records, with campus police providing security services and night safety escorts upon request. Still, you should exercise the usual precautions like securing your belongings and keeping an eye on your surroundings after dark. 

Is there high demand for student apartments in Austin?

Most students in Austin choose to live off campus, which means there’s a high demand for student apartments. This is especially true in popular student areas like West Campus where pre-leasing starts early. With this in mind, it’s best to start your property search a minimum of three months before your planned move-in date. 

How much does student housing in Austin cost? 

Rental costs for student housing in Austin vary widely depending on the neighborhood and type of property, with studio apartments in popular areas like West Campus commanding a significant price. The apartments we list in Austin typically range from $1,000–$1,600 per month. 

Do I need a visa to study in Austin? 

If you want to study in Austin as a non-US citizen, you’ll need to obtain an F-1 visa from a US embassy or consulate in your home country. Read more on the requirements and your eligibility here. 

What if I didn’t get an answer to my question here? 

For information on how the booking process works, click here. We also have answers to a range of other questions on our FAQ page. If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us!