The Short Answer

Off-campus housing near USC ranges from $850/month for a shared bedroom in a co-living house to $2,200+/month for a private 1-bedroom apartment. Most students living in co-living houses pay between $1,154 and $1,600/month for a private bedroom.

Cost by Housing Type

Shared Bedroom (Co-Living House)

• Monthly rent: $850–$1,200
• Best for: students on a tight budget who don't mind sharing a room
• What's included: shared kitchen, living room, laundry
• Note: least privacy but lowest cost per person

Private Bedroom (Co-Living House)

• Monthly rent: $1,154–$1,800
• Best for: most USC students — balance of cost and privacy
• What's included: fully furnished bedroom, shared common areas, gas stove, laundry
• Most popular option near USC

Studio Apartment

• Monthly rent: $1,275–$1,900
• Best for: students who want full privacy without roommates
• What's included: self-contained unit with own kitchen and bathroom
• Furnished options available but less common than co-living

1-Bedroom Apartment

• Monthly rent: $1,421–$2,200
• Best for: graduate students, couples, or students with larger budgets
• What's included: separate bedroom and living area, full kitchen
• DTLA and Koreatown 1BRs start at $2,300+

Cost by Neighborhood

University Park / Figueroa Corridor (most popular) Private bedroom: $1,154–$1,700/month Inside USC DPS patrol zone. Walking distance to campus. Highest demand, units go fast.

West USC Campus (Hoover / Normandie) Private bedroom: $1,100–$1,600/month Slightly more affordable, newer buildings, still within or adjacent to DPS zone.

Exposition Park / Vermont Area Private bedroom: $950–$1,400/month At the edge of the DPS zone. Lower price but slightly longer walk or bike to campus.

Downtown LA / Koreatown 1BR apartment: $2,000–$2,800/month Well-connected by USC shuttle but no DPS coverage. Better for grad students with cars or flexible schedules.

What's Typically Included vs Extra

Usually included in co-living near USC:

• Furniture (bed, desk, wardrobe)
• Kitchen appliances (refrigerator, microwave, gas stove, oven)
• WiFi
• Water and trash

Usually paid separately:

• Electricity and gas (split among housemates, typically $30–$80/month per person)
• Renters insurance (recommended, ~$10–$20/month)
• Parking (if needed, $50–$150/month depending on location)

On-Campus vs Off-Campus Cost Comparison

On-campus USC housing for 2026 runs approximately $1,800–$2,800/month including a mandatory meal plan. Off-campus co-living with a private bedroom starts at $1,154/month — typically $600–$1,000/month less per person, without the meal plan requirement.

Most students find they can eat well and save money buying their own groceries compared to a mandatory meal plan.

What Drives the Price Difference

Three factors affect price most:

1. DPS patrol zone — units inside the zone command a premium because of safety and convenience. Expect to pay 10–20% more inside the zone vs just outside.

2. Move-in timing — units near USC fill up as early as January for fall semester. Students who start looking late often pay more for whatever's left.

3. Furnished vs unfurnished — fully furnished units near USC typically cost $100–$200/month more than unfurnished, but save you $1,000–$2,000 in furniture costs upfront.

The Real Monthly Budget

Here's what a realistic monthly budget looks like for a USC student in a co-living house:

• Rent (private bedroom, DPS zone): $1,300
• Utilities split: $50
• Groceries: $300–$400
• Transportation: $50–$100
• Renters insurance: $15

Total: approximately $1,715–$1,865/month

This is significantly less than on-campus housing with a meal plan, and gives you more flexibility and space.

Current Availability Near USC

Moo Housing has co-living units available near USC with private bedrooms starting from $1,154/month, fully furnished, inside or adjacent to the DPS patrol zone. Move-in available from August 10.

Current offer: 1 month free rent on select units.

Tell us your budget and move-in date and we'll match you directly: