Cost of Living in Berkeley for Students

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Berkeley is on the northeastern shore of San Francisco Bay, US. It is one of the best college towns in California. Berkeley is home to the University of California, Berkeley.

Is Berkeley affordable?

Berkeley is less expensive than New York. The cost of living in Berkeley is $2,109 – $2,565 / month excluding tuition fees.

There are various types of student accommodation in Berkeley. But, the common student accommodation is listed below. Brief information is given on each of them so that you can understand what it entails and its features.

Before we list the details of the cost of living in Berkeley, let’s summarize its cost.

Expenses	Cost (Average)
Average Tuition Fees	$28,000 – $55,000 / Year
Accommodation	$1,444 – $2,251 / Month
Transportation	$204 / Month

Costs of Tuition Fees

The cost of tuition fees in Berkeley will depend upon the course type and university you choose to study. Berkeley has some good universities, and you have to check in for the fees with them.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee	Post-Graduate Tuition Fee
$44,000 – $55,000 / Year	$28,000 – $55,000 / Year

Student Accommodation Costs

The cost of student accommodation in Berkeley depends upon the type you choose to stay. If you choose to stay near the university within the city center, it might cost more than staying away from the city center.

1. Student Housing

Student housing is an alternative accommodation to stay on campus. With student housing, you can choose the type of room you wish to stay in. This type of housing is a new or refurbished building. It offers room and amenities to provide students with a comfortable stay.

Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are upto 20 miles.

Student Housing	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	$1,444 – $1,833 / Month

2. Private Apartment

They are residential apartments that offer flexible stay and occupancy. Students can rent the flat all to themself or share it with friends. It gives one the option to choose and decide on their flatmates. The best part of it all is the privacy and amenities!

Apartment	Price
Private	$1,900 – $2,251 / Month

3. University Halls

University Hall is a place where students live when studying at a university. First-year students usually prefer it as it’s convenient since they are freshers. The halls provide a shared or private room depending on the student’s needs.

University Hall	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	$1,500 – $3,500 / Month

[Read Also: Top 5 Student Accommodations in Berkeley]

Food

The cost of living is expensive in Berkeley, making food costs automatically expensive. So, finding the time to make food at home will save you a lot of money and your expense on food and eating out. For instance, a burger will cost you $10.50 a meal at an expensive restaurant will cost $20 a drink will cost $5.

Utility Bills

Your bills are usually covered if you stay in student housing and a private apartment. However, when it comes to university halls, you must check in with the university’s policies on bills.

Transportation

Getting around Berkeley is easy on foot. If you stay close to the university, you can walk or cycle! A bus and subway are available to travel farther from the property.