How Much Does Off-Campus Housing Cost Near the University of Delaware?
Most University of Delaware students pay $700 to $950 a month per person for a shared off-campus apartment in Newark, or $1,225 to $1,695 for a studio, one-, or two-bedroom. UD budgets $9,370 a year for off-campus housing plus $5,304 for food.
Most University of Delaware students pay somewhere between $700 and $950 a month per person for a shared off-campus apartment in Newark. Want your own place? A studio runs about $1,225 to $1,265, a one-bedroom lands around $1,460 to $1,495, and a two-bedroom sits near $1,650 to $1,695. For 2025-26, UD's financial aid office budgets $9,370 a year for off-campus housing (about $1,040 a month over the academic year), plus $5,304 for food, which is the number most students should actually plan around.
Key Takeaways
What the Average Rent Near the University of Delaware Actually Looks Like
Newark's overall average rent sits around $1,628 a month, but that number lumps together grad students in solo one-bedrooms with undergrads packing four people into a townhouse. Those are two completely different budgets. The average rent near the University of Delaware that matters to you depends almost entirely on how many people you split with.
Go it alone and you're paying the full freight of a studio or one-bedroom. Split a place and your per-person cost drops fast. A five-bedroom shared house near campus can come in around $744 per person, which is why so many sophomores and juniors pile into the bigger units on and around Cleveland Avenue.
Rent by Apartment Type
Here's how the market breaks down for the units students actually rent in Newark:
Best for grad students or anyone who wants zero roommate drama.
Roughly 9% below the national average, and a lot cheaper than anything you'd find in Philly.
Around $825 each when split two ways.
Often the cheapest per person, landing between $700 and $950 a bedroom.
The pattern is simple. More bedrooms, lower cost per head. If your top priority is keeping the average rent near the University of Delaware as low as possible, more roommates beats every other trick.
Where You Live Changes the Price
Walk-to-Main-Street convenience costs money. Newer furnished buildings a block or two off Main Street (think the Main & Haines area) charge a premium for that location, and they lease up first. Drift a little farther out and the price drops.
The cheaper pockets
South Newark is the most affordable area near campus, with one-bedrooms averaging closer to $1,300. Areas along Elkton Road and toward South College Avenue also tend to run cheaper than the units sitting right on top of Main Street. You trade a few minutes of walk time for real monthly savings.
The convenience premium
If you're an engineering student who wants to roll out of bed and be in class near Academy Street, or you just want to be steps from the bars and restaurants on Main Street, you'll pay for it. Whether that premium is worth it is a personal call, but know that you're paying for the zip code, not the square footage.
The Costs That Aren't Rent
Rent is the sticker price, not the total. UD's own off-campus budget splits the difference for a reason: it lists $9,370 for housing and a separate $5,304 for food, because the extras stack up. Parking permits, utilities, renters insurance, and internet all land on top of your monthly rent.
UD's official 2025-26 off-campus housing allowance, about $1,040 a month over the academic year.
Some buildings fold utilities and Wi-Fi into rent; plenty don't. Ask directly before you sign, because "$800 a month" turns into $1,000 fast once you're paying your own electric and internet. You can see UD's full breakdown on the university's official cost of attendance page, and reading verified student reviews of Newark apartments is the fastest way to find out whether a place nickel-and-dimes tenants on fees or actually includes what it advertises.
How to Find a Place That Fits Your Budget
Start early and compare per-person costs, not just headline rent. A $1,700 two-bedroom split two ways beats a $1,000 studio if you're cool with a roommate. Filter by what actually matters to your budget, then verify every listing before you hand over a deposit.
You can browse off-campus housing near UD filtered by price, distance, and roommate setup, and cross-check the honest reviews before you tour. The goal is landing at or under UD's $9,370 housing benchmark with room to spare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent Near the University of Delaware
Is it cheaper to live on or off campus at UD?
Off campus, usually. UD's 2025-26 budget puts off-campus housing and food at $14,674 combined versus $15,974 for the standard on-campus room and meal plan. Split a house with roommates and you can beat both numbers by a solid margin.
How much should a UD student budget for rent per month?
Plan for $700 to $950 a month if you're sharing, or $1,225 to $1,495 for your own studio or one-bedroom. Then add $100 to $250 for utilities, parking, and internet, since those rarely come free.
What's the cheapest area to rent near the University of Delaware?
South Newark. One-bedrooms there run closer to $1,300, and the stretch along Elkton Road tends to price below the Main Street buildings. The tradeoff is a slightly longer walk or a bus ride to central campus.
When should I start looking for off-campus housing at UD?
January or February for an August or September move-in. Newark's market is competitive, and the best-value units near campus get claimed months ahead. Wait until summer and you're picking from leftovers at higher prices.
Does rent near UD include utilities?
Sometimes, and you can't assume it. Some Newark buildings bundle water, electric, and Wi-Fi; many charge them separately. Always confirm what's included before signing, because it can swing your real monthly cost by a couple hundred dollars.
Find My Place — By Students, For Students
We're students and recent grads who've been through the housing grind. We built Find My Place because apartment hunting near a university is harder than it needs to be. Every guide we write is based on real experience — not a landlord's marketing copy.
