Finding Housing

There are many resources available to help you find housing on or near the UC Berkeley campus. The Cal Housing office should be the first place you start your search for housing on or off-campus.  Degree-seeking undergraduate students planning to live on campus should also visit Living on Campus.

For any student interested in living off campus, the Graduate Assembly has developed: The GA’s Housing Guide: Housing Resources for UC Berkeley Graduate Students, which offers an overview of the housing situation in Berkeley and the Bay Area. The guide offers a lot of information on the average prices of housing in the Bay Area and tips for finding housing after you have arrived.

Check out the Cal Rental Resources page for information about living off-campus, including information on typical rent averages, Rental Safety, and much more. 

We also recommend you review our Arrival Guide for information on Berkeley neighborhoods, housing search strategies, utility services, and more. 

Scams & Fraud Awareness

Check out our Scams and Safety information for precautionary tips about finding housing. Housing scams primarily appear as online advertisements on sites such as craigslist.org. The contact person will insist that you send them money for housing accommodations even though you have not yet visited the property in person. When you show up to the address, the place is unavailable. Never send money or give out personal information or immigration details to anyone over the phone or online. If you are required to wire money ahead of time, please be sure the housing post is legitimate. Check the address on Google Maps or a search engine to ensure it is a residential building. Try to arrange a digital viewing via Skype, FaceTime, etc. to confirm it is a real address and to see the unit in person.

If you have any doubts or are unsure about a request, please contact a Berkeley International Office adviser.

Temporary Housing

You may need a short-term place to stay when you arrive in Berkeley. Listed below are some inexpensive places close to campus. If you mention that you are affiliated with UC Berkeley, you may be eligible for a discount. Reservations are recommended.

On-campus

• Residential and Student Service Programs (RSSP): Offers a wide range of options to undergraduates, transfer students, graduate students, visiting scholars and families
• International House: An exciting home to around 600 students and scholars from around the world, including Americans.

Off-Campus

• Moving off-campus 101: BIO's short guide to transitioning from living on-campus to off-campus. It covers how to search for and secure housing and protect yourself in the process. 
• CORT Furniture: Affordable furniture rental. A convenient and cost-effective alternative to purchasing furniture. CORT will handle delivery and setup, and will come and pick it up at the end of the year! Furnish your room or home without the hassle of buying or re-selling.
• UC Berkeley Cal Rentals: Provides a wide selection of rental listings, counseling and written information on finding housing, and setting up telephone and utility (gas/electricity) services.

• Housing and Accommodations (VSPA Office): List of housing resources compiled by the VSPA Office for Postdocs, Visiting Scholars, and VIsiting Student Researchers

• Mills College Housing for UC Berkeley Students
• Berkeley Student Cooperative: Student-run, non-profit housing cooperative that provides quality, low-cost housing opportunities to university students. Each of the 20 houses is close to the UCB campus and democratically run by its members.

• Craigslist.com: Offers postings about available housing in the East Bay or other parts of the Bay Area. Be sure to review the information about scams and personal safety on Craigslist

• Academic Housing Rentals: Furnished homes with a focus on community for academics and young professionals.