Off Campus Housing

Depending on what you are looking for and the time of year that you arrive, you can find housing to fit your needs.

There are many apartment options in Boulder and the surrounding communities. You can search for a studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or three-bedroom apartment.  Some apartments come with furniture, but they do not include linens, dishes, or cooking utensils.  Most apartments are unfurnished when you move in.  Many students choose to share an apartment with other students or rent a private room in a house. 

In Boulder, the rent for a one-bedroom / one-bathroom unfurnished, shared apartment is approximately $1,300 per month.  There are additional costs for off-campus housing including utilities, internet, and cable television service. Here is a list of apartments in Boulder where some of our students live.

If you are looking for housing within walking distance to the IEC and CU Boulder campus, the following options offer a flexible leasing structure:

  •  provides community-style housing to undergraduate and graduate students. 
  •  welcomes students and visiting scholars for extended stays. This housing option provides similar amenities to on-campus dormitories.  Please contact IEC Student Services to request more information.

Housing costs in the surrounding communities, such as Louisville, Superior, or Broomfield, are usually cheaper than in Boulder.  If you choose to live in one of these locations, it is important to consider your transportation to Boulder.  The operates public transit services in the Denver-Boulder area. Because you can easily take public transportation to Boulder for free with your university card, we strongly recommended that you choose an apartment with convenient access to an RTD bus station.  Here is a list of apartments in the surrounding communities that have easy bus access to the IEC. Off-Campus Housing Options Outside of Boulder

You can also use to find housing.  There is an Apartment Guide on Ralphie’s List that provides information on local apartment buildings and Boulder property management companies.  More information about renting an apartment can be found at CU's .

Students living off-campus can also purchase Student Meal Plans.

For additional information, please refer to the Off-Campus Housing Guide for International Students.

Things to Consider

Budget Commute Neighborhood Safety Affordable housing Rental averages
Budget

When considering your budget, you'll need to think beyond rent. Some apartments may include utilities in the rent, but many do not, and may have extra fees for other amenities. Be sure to consider all of the following when determining your budget: 

  • Rent
  • Utilities - may or may not be included in your lease. Be sure to ask potential landlords.
  • Other fees - this can include things like pet fees, security deposits and fees for shared amenities.
  • Parking - there may be parking included as your rent or you might need to pay a fee for it. Alternatively, street parking may be your best option.
  • Transportation - park & ride and other bus services may be available to you.

Think about what kind of commute you want to have to campus. You may be able to save money on rent if you are open to a longer commute, but don't forget to factor in other potential costs like car payments and maintenance, gas, tolls and parking passes. All students receive an RTD CollegePass that gives them access to all local and regional bus services, that you can use to commute in and around Boulder as well as the surrounding towns. 

Each area of Boulder offers different housing options with different amenities. Here are a few examples:

  • Conveniences (grocery stores/restaurants)
  • Types of housing available (houses, condos, townhouses or apartments)
  • Who lives in that neighborhood (mostly students, grads, families)

There is a lot to consider when determining how safe an apartment is: neighborhood, building/apartment security, ensuring your apartment has necessary safety precautions in place, like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Check out our list of questions to ask a landlord for safety related questions to ask, and campus safety tips from the CU Police Deaprtment. You can also  website.

While the term “affordable” can mean different things to different people, we can assist in narrowing down options that are likely to offer rent that is on the lower end of the market or tips on how to reduce rent (like living with roommates or sharing bedrooms). You can also .

2020 Rental averages

Does not include utilities or other fees

Year Room/Unit Type Rental Avg.
2020 Studio $1,256.80
2020 1 Bedroom $1,111.00
2020 2 Bedroom $1,843.00
2020 3 Bedroom $2,825.00
2020 4 Bedroom $3,887.00