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UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions
07/24/08

Off-Campus Housing

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Are you ready to make the move to an off-campus house or apartment? From studios to townhouses, condos to co-ops, the City of Davis has housing options to match every lifestyle. The friendliness that defines UC Davis extends to its neighborhoods, offering safety, a bike-friendly commute, free bus service for undergraduates and student-oriented social opportunities.
Off-Campus Housing

Housing Costs

If you’re moving to Davis from most large metropolitan areas, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the cost of housing here. Average rent in Davis is more affordable than equivalent housing in many other cities with UC campuses.

Average Rental Rate for an Unfurnished Apartment
(surveyed in October 2007)

  • Studio: $747/month
  • One-bedroom: $893/month
  • Two-bedroom: $1,172/month
  • Three-bedroom: $1,714/month
  • Four-bedroom: $2,279/month
  • Six-bedroom: $2,575/month
  • Vacancy rate: 0.7% of all units

Most houses and apartments in Davis are leased on an annual basis, from September 1 through August 31. Many landlords use the Davis Model Lease, developed by UC Davis to protect the rights of both tenant and landlord. Be prepared to pay first and last months’ rent when you move in, as well as a security deposit. The amount of the deposit varies at the landlord’s discretion, but cannot be more than two months’ rent. (If the apartment is furnished, your deposit can total up to three months’ rent.)

Finding a Place

We encourage you to start your housing search well in advance of your arrival on campus, for the best selection. Most students begin their search around December for the following fall, and property management companies begin releasing new listings after March. If you’ll enroll in the winter or spring, your best bet may be to begin your search a month or two in advance; other tenants may be graduating and moving out at the end of a quarter.

Both the university and the Davis community have a number of resources available for students searching for housing. The ASUCD Community Housing Listing Web site is a good place to start. It contains a searchable database of currently available apartments, houses and rooms for rent. The Davis Wiki offers a variety of helpful tips and resources to further expand your search.