7 Best Student Apartments Near Portland State University
The best apartments near Portland State University sit within a half-mile of campus in the University District and Goose Hollow — where rent runs $950–$1,550 per month depending on room type and how much of a downtown premium you’re willing to pay. Portland’s MAX lines and Streetcar make a wider radius workable, but most PSU students find that staying within walking distance is worth it, especially in the rain. This list covers seven solid options across different price points and neighborhoods, so you can match your budget to your commute tolerance.
Key Takeaways
- Studios near PSU average $1,250–$1,300/mo; 1-bedrooms run $1,450–$1,550/mo; 2-bedrooms typically fall in the $1,550–$1,850/mo range.
- University Pointe at College Station is the closest purpose-built student housing to campus — it sits literally across from the main quad on SW 5th Ave.
- Goose Hollow, just west of campus on the other side of I-405, consistently offers the best value per dollar in walking distance of PSU.
- Inner Southeast Portland gives you the most space for your money, but count on a 20–30 minute commute via MAX or bus.
- Portland Astoria on SW Columbia puts you blocks from campus in a modern building without the full luxury-complex pricing.
- PSU’s Walk Score is 95 — most errands are doable on foot, and the MAX Green and Yellow Lines stop directly at the university.
1. University Pointe at College Station — Best for Campus-Adjacent Living
University Pointe at College Station sits at 1955 SW 5th Ave, which is essentially on the PSU campus — you can roll out of bed and be in class in under five minutes. It’s a Portland State Housing partner and LEED Gold certified, with studio, 2-bedroom, and 4-bedroom floorplans. Rent per person runs approximately $749–$1,100 depending on room type, and the building includes utilities (internet, water, trash) plus fully furnished units, which matters more than most first-years realize when they’re budgeting. The tradeoff is that it feels purpose-built for students, which you’ll either love or find a little institutional — but the amenities are solid, including a 24-hour academic center and fitness facilities. If you’re a first-year or transfer student and want to hit the ground running without worrying about furniture or utility setup, this is your play.
2. Portland Astoria — Best for Downtown Convenience
Portland Astoria is located at 140 SW Columbia St, which puts you a few blocks from the heart of PSU’s campus and walking distance to everything downtown Portland has to offer — Powell’s Books, the Pearl District, the South Park Blocks. Browse Portland Astoria listings on Find My Place to see current availability and pricing for whole-unit options. Expect to pay in the $1,400–$1,900/mo range for a unit in this area, though splitting a 2-bedroom with a roommate brings that down significantly. The location is hard to beat if you want to walk to class and have the city at your doorstep — this neighborhood has a Walk Score that makes a car genuinely optional.
3. mResidences Portland Pearl District — Best for Pearl District Living
If you want to live in the Pearl District and still get to PSU without a car, mResidences Portland Pearl District at 1155 NW Everett St is worth a serious look. The Pearl is about a mile north of campus — manageable on foot, easy on the Portland Streetcar. See mResidences Pearl District listings on Find My Place for current room options. Pearl District rents trend higher than the University District — studio and 1-bedroom units in this area typically run $1,500–$2,200/mo — so this one makes most sense if you have roommates splitting the cost or a housing stipend that gives you flexibility. The upside is that you’re in one of Portland’s best-designed neighborhoods, surrounded by galleries, restaurants, and the kind of urban infrastructure that makes daily life easy.
4. Goose Hollow — Best Value Within Walking Distance
Goose Hollow sits just west of I-405, about a 10–15 minute walk from PSU’s main buildings, and it’s consistently the most affordable walkable neighborhood for students. You’ll find a mix of older apartment buildings and smaller complexes — less polished than the purpose-built student housing on campus, but significantly cheaper. Private rooms in shared Goose Hollow apartments typically run $900–$1,200/mo, and whole 1-bedroom units hover around $1,100–$1,400/mo depending on the building and amenities. The neighborhood is quiet by Portland standards, which is a feature if you’re trying to actually study. The MAX Yellow Line runs along SW Jefferson nearby, so you’re well connected even when you don’t feel like walking.
5. South Park Blocks District — Best for Campus Immersion
The streets immediately surrounding PSU’s South Park Blocks — think SW Park Ave, SW 6th, the blocks between Market and Montgomery — put you inside the university’s heartbeat. You’re walking to the PSU Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, grabbing coffee between classes at any of the spots along SW Broadway, and cutting through the park on your way to lectures. Apartment buildings in this tight radius tend to be older and smaller, but 1-bedrooms are available in the $1,200–$1,650/mo range. The density here means you’ll need to move fast when you find something — units turn over quickly in summer and don’t last long once listed. PSU’s off-campus housing page maintains a resource list for students searching in this area.
6. Sunshine Portland — Best for SE Portland Space and Value
If downtown density and downtown prices both feel like too much, Inner Southeast Portland offers a different trade-off: more space, quieter streets, and noticeably lower rents in exchange for a commute. Sunshine Portland at 3650 SE 29th Ave is one of the FMP-listed options in this part of the city — check Sunshine Portland on Find My Place for available listings and pricing. Southeast Portland is a legitimately great place to live — strong neighborhood coffee shop culture, great food, and the kind of walkable residential blocks that make off-campus life feel like an upgrade. The PSU commute via MAX or bus runs about 20–30 minutes, which is very livable if you structure your schedule right.
7. NW Portland / The Alphabet District — Best for Neighborhood Character
NW 23rd Ave — Portland locals just call it the Alphabet District — is about 1.5 miles from PSU and consistently ranks among the city’s most popular neighborhoods. You’re getting independent coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, and the kind of neighborhood energy that makes Portland famous, all within reach of campus via the Portland Streetcar or a 20-minute bike ride. Rents here run $1,100–$1,600/mo for 1-bedrooms, with shared apartments and rooms available below $1,000/mo if you’re willing to search. The commute is the main consideration — it’s not a walk-to-class situation unless you’re logging serious steps — but for students who spend a lot of time on campus during the day and want to come home to something that feels different, the Alphabet District delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apartments Near Portland State University
How much does it cost to live near PSU?
Expect to pay $1,250–$1,550/mo for a studio or 1-bedroom within walking distance of campus. Sharing a 2-bedroom brings per-person costs down to $800–$950/mo in most neighborhoods. Goose Hollow and Inner SE Portland offer the best value; the University District and Pearl District run higher. On-campus housing options like University Pointe factor utilities and furnishings into the rent, which can make them competitive once you price out what you’d spend setting up an unfurnished apartment.
Is it worth living on-campus at PSU?
For first-years, usually yes — the convenience and built-in community are real. University Pointe at College Station is PSU’s main housing partner and offers furnished units with utilities included at prices that aren’t wildly out of line with the off-campus market once you factor everything in. For returning students, the off-campus market gives you more flexibility, more space, and often a better deal if you have a solid roommate situation.
What neighborhoods are best for PSU students?
The University District (directly on campus) is unbeatable for walk-to-class convenience. Goose Hollow is the sweet spot for students who want to walk but not pay downtown prices. The Pearl District and South Park Blocks area are excellent if urban lifestyle matters as much as the commute. Inner Southeast Portland is the move if you want space and neighborhood character and are comfortable with a 20–30 minute bus or MAX ride.
How do PSU students get around Portland?
Most PSU students either walk or use Portland’s MAX light rail system — the Green and Yellow Lines stop directly at the university. The Portland Streetcar connects campus to the Pearl District and NW Portland. Portland is also one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, and a bike commute from most of the neighborhoods on this list is realistic year-round if you’re willing to invest in rain gear. A car is genuinely optional for most students, which is one of Portland’s real advantages over other college cities.
