What is the Average Cost of Student Housing in the Madison?

Madison is the capital city of Wisconsin, a US state, and is widely popular among international travelers for a number of reasons. One of the reasons why it has gained widespread fame is higher education. Numerous international students come to Madison to complete their education. 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the university located in this city. This university ranks #116 out of 1503 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025.  

The major requirement of students coming to Madison happens to be accommodation. So, prominent concerns of many students visiting Madison are the cost and other details of accommodation in Madison. So, here you will get some details of student housing in Madison followed by the cost of housing.  

Overview 

Different types of accommodation options are available in Madison for international students. The accommodations comprise basic as well as high-end amenities and facilities. You can get accommodation in Madison with the help of university resources and private online platforms. 

Accommodation Available 

Four major types of student housing properties available for students in Madison: 

• On-Campus Accommodation 

• PBSA 

• Homestays  

• Private Apartments 

Let’s have a look at some details of the abovementioned types. 

On-Campus Accommodation 

On-campus accommodation is a type of housing offered by a university. The University of Wisconsin-Madison also offers on-campus housing to students. 

PBSA 

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation is the full form of PBSA, which is a type of student housing designed by private developers. PBSA properties are designed according to the requirements and preferences of students. Here, you can find internet, laundry, kitchen appliances, study tables and chairs, gyms, swimming pools, games, clubhouses, entertainment rooms, private study rooms, and a lot of other facilities. However, facilities may vary depending on the property. So, you should check according to your preferences before selection. 

Some popular PBSA properties in Madison are: 

1. Yugo Madison Lux 

2. Atmosphere Madison 

3. The Towers on State 

Homestays 

Homestays are the types of arrangements where students can get a room or space in the houses and can live with families in Madison. Living in a homestay is a perfect way to immerse in the city’s culture. You have to follow the rules imparted by homeowners. 

Private Apartments 

Students can also rent rooms in private apartments in Madison. These private apartments give complete freedom to students. Unlike other types of accommodations, students don’t have to follow so many rules. 

Average Cost of Housing in Madison

The cost of accommodation depends on the type of room and property you own. The yearly estimated cost of on-campus accommodation with meals in Madison is $13,500. Costs of accommodations offered by the University of Wisconsin on a monthly basis are: 

• Single Room: US$1,364/month 

• Shared Room: US$1,116/month    

• Studio: US$1,606/month 

• 1B: US$1,812/month 

• 2B: US$2,329/month 

You can rent accommodation in a PBSA property at $869 per month, and the yearly cost is $10,428. The highest cost of accommodation here is around $2,000 per month and $21,329 per 11 months. 

You can rent a homestay at $32 per night or $800 per month. The average rent for a one-bedroom private apartment in the city center is around $1,200 per month. Outside, the city center, it is around $900 per month. 

Basic Tips to Find Housing in Madison 

#1. Contact University Resources 

If you want to rent on-campus accommodation, you can contact online and offline university resources. 

#2. Check Online Platforms 

There are online platforms like Universityliving.com, which you can visit to find PBSA and other private accommodations. Such platforms provide lists of accommodations for students in different cities. 

#3. Set Your Budget 

Set your budget for accommodation so that you can find the right accommodation as per your affordability. 

#4. Set Your Preferences 

Set your preferences about location and amenities to get satisfactory accommodation according to you. 

#5. Search Early 

Search for accommodation early, at least three months before your journey to Madison, to get accommodation at affordable rates and as per your preference. 

Conclusion 

Students can find different accommodation options, such as on-campus accommodation, PBSA, homestays, and private apartments. Their price of accommodation here for students is from $800 per month to $2,000 per month. To get on-campus accommodation, you can contact university resources. Private accommodations can be acquired with the help of some online platforms. You should search early and set your budget and preferences to find suitable accommodation in Madison. 
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