The Hill vs Martin Acres vs East Aurora: Where CU Boulder Students Should Live

CU Boulder students choosing between The Hill, Martin Acres, and East Aurora face distinct tradeoffs in price, commute time, and social atmosphere. The Hill costs $1,800 to $2,600 monthly for one-bedroom apartments and sits within a ten-minute walk to campus. Martin Acres offers Boulder’s lowest student rents at $1,500 to $2,100 monthly but requires a 15 to 20 minute bus ride. East Aurora splits the difference with $1,600 to $1,900 rents and direct walking access to CU Boulder’s East Campus engineering buildings. Each neighborhood serves different student priorities and budgets.

TL;DR: Quick Answer

• The Hill charges $1,800 to $2,600 monthly and offers the shortest walk to CU Boulder’s main campus at five to ten minutes.
• Martin Acres provides Boulder’s most affordable student housing at $1,500 to $2,100 monthly with free RTD bus access via your Buff OneCard.
• East Aurora costs $1,600 to $1,900 monthly and puts engineering students within a five-minute walk to East Campus research facilities.
• Boulder’s March 2025 occupancy law changes removed limits on unrelated roommates, though individual leases may still restrict occupancy.
• Find My Place listings show current availability and pricing across all three CU Boulder neighborhoods.

CU Boulder Neighborhoods Differ in Price, Distance, and Social Options

Boulder’s three main student neighborhoods each attract different types of renters. Some students want walkability above all else. Others prioritize savings. A few need proximity to specific campus buildings. This comparison covers the basics.

Factor	The Hill	Martin Acres	East Aurora
1BR Rent	$1,800-$2,600	$1,500-$2,100	$1,600-$1,900
Campus Access	5-10 min walk	15-20 min bus	5-10 min to East Campus
Social Scene	Most active	Quiet, family-oriented	Moderate
Best For	Social students, Greek life	Budget-focused, grad students	Engineering, science majors

The Hill Offers CU Boulder’s Shortest Campus Commute

University Hill sits directly adjacent to CU Boulder’s main campus. Most apartments here place students within a five to ten minute walk to classrooms, the UMC, and Norlin Library. The neighborhood runs from Broadway to Baseline Road, putting Pearl Street Mall restaurants and shops within easy reach. No car needed.

The location costs money. One-bedroom apartments on The Hill run $1,800 to $2,600 monthly. Two-bedrooms typically hit $2,500 to $3,000. Shared houses charge $1,550 to $1,665 per person before utilities. Newer buildings cost even more. The Mansion and Parker Off Pearl represent the premium end of Hill pricing.

Housing types vary widely. You’ll find converted Victorian homes, purpose-built student apartments, and larger houses shared among four to nine roommates. Many older buildings have modern updates. Others need work. Inspect carefully before signing anything.

The Hill’s 13th Street Corridor Anchors Boulder’s Student Social Scene

Students wanting an active social life gravitate here. The 13th Street area packs in The Sink Restaurant, Illegal Pete’s, The Fox Theatre, and dozens of coffee shops. Fraternities and sororities concentrate on The Hill. Weekend gatherings happen frequently. Football season intensifies everything.

That energy creates noise. Studying at home proves difficult during peak social hours. Parking runs $100 to $200 monthly when available at all. Older buildings sometimes have maintenance problems. Properties lease early, often by October for the following August move-in. Start searching months ahead.

Martin Acres Delivers Boulder’s Lowest Student Housing Costs

Martin Acres sits about two miles south of CU Boulder’s main campus. The neighborhood offers Boulder’s most competitive rental rates. Budget matters here. One-bedroom apartments cost $1,500 to $2,100 monthly. Two-bedrooms run $1,900 to $2,400. Some units drop below $1,500. That’s rare in Boulder.

You won’t walk to class. The RTD bus system handles commuting. SKIP and Route 225 connect directly to campus in 15 to 20 minutes. Your Buff OneCard covers all fares. Free public transit essentially. The Table Mesa Shopping Center nearby has groceries and restaurants, so daily errands don’t require campus trips.

Housing options include student-focused complexes like Creekside Apartments and single-family ranch houses suitable for roommate groups. About 23% of Martin Acres residents are college students. The rest are young professionals and families. Quieter than The Hill. Much quieter.

Martin Acres Residents Trade Nightlife for Flatirons Views and Study-Friendly Quiet

The neighborhood sits in the foothills with clear Flatirons views. Parks matter here. Tantra Park draws sledders in winter. Martin Park hosts community events, food trucks, and concerts. Students focused on academics rather than parties find the atmosphere productive.

Drawbacks exist. Campus events and library access require planning. A car or reliable bike helps significantly. Nightlife options are limited. Social butterflies may feel isolated. The savings offset these concerns for many students.

East Aurora Puts Engineering Students Minutes from CU Boulder Labs

East Aurora occupies the area between CU Boulder’s main campus and East Campus. Engineering and science buildings cluster on East Campus. The Phoenix Apartments and similar properties sit within a five-minute walk to aerospace engineering labs and research facilities. Main campus takes about 15 minutes on foot or a quick Buff Bus ride.

Rents fall between The Hill and Martin Acres. One-bedrooms average $1,600 to $1,900 monthly. Three-bedroom units range from $1,800 to $3,500 depending on building age and amenities. Many apartments have recent renovations. In-unit washers and dryers are common. Updated kitchens too. The overall average across unit types runs about $2,619.

East Aurora Attracts Academically Focused CU Boulder Students

The neighborhood draws students prioritizing coursework. About 72% of residents rent. Only 42% of households have children. Young professionals and students dominate. Residents describe the area as quiet and community-oriented. Close enough to campus for occasional social events. Far enough for productive study time.

The Boulder Creek Path runs through the area. Biking to class works well here. Dining and entertainment options are fewer than The Hill offers. Late-night food runs require more effort. Students who spend most waking hours in labs and libraries often prefer this tradeoff.

CU Boulder Students Get Free RTD Bus Access Across All Neighborhoods

Your Buff OneCard includes unlimited RTD bus rides. The service extends to Denver International Airport. No car required in most situations.

Transportation differs by neighborhood. The Hill works entirely on foot. HOP bus connects to Twenty Ninth Street shopping and downtown Boulder. Bike lanes run throughout. Martin Acres depends on SKIP and numbered RTD routes. Route 225 proves particularly convenient. Buses run every 15 to 20 minutes during peak hours. East Aurora combines Buff Bus service, particularly the ECX route between campuses, with excellent biking via Boulder Creek Path.

Download the Transit app. Real-time tracking for all Buff Buses and RTD routes makes commute planning straightforward.

Boulder’s 2025 Occupancy Law Changes Affect Student Roommate Limits

Boulder City Council voted unanimously in March 2025 to repeal occupancy limits based on familial relationships. Previously, Boulder restricted how many unrelated people could share a residence. The limit was three people until 2023, then five. Now relationship status doesn’t determine occupancy. Building and fire codes still apply.

Individual leases may still limit occupants. Always check your specific rental agreement. Confirm with landlords how many people can legally occupy your unit before signing.

CU Boulder Students Should Match Neighborhood Choice to Personal Priorities

Budget determines options for most students. Martin Acres stretches dollars further than anywhere else in Boulder. Class locations matter too. Engineering and science students benefit from East Aurora proximity. Liberal arts majors may prefer The Hill’s main campus access. Social preferences split students sharply. The Hill suits party-goers. Martin Acres and East Aurora suit serious studiers.

Car ownership changes calculations. Without one, The Hill or East Aurora offer better walkability. Martin Acres requires reliable bus use. Study habits matter. Quiet neighborhoods support focused work. Energetic neighborhoods provide distractions and connections.

Three CU Boulder Neighborhoods Serve Three Different Student Types

Choose The Hill for classic college living, premium pricing, and constant activity. Walking to class in under ten minutes has real value. Paying $1,800 to $2,600 monthly for that convenience makes sense for some students.

Choose Martin Acres for Boulder’s best housing value. Monthly savings of $300 to $500 compared to The Hill add up over a lease term. The 15 to 20 minute bus commute works fine for students comfortable with public transit.

Choose East Aurora for balanced access to both CU Boulder campuses. Engineering and science students particularly benefit from East Campus proximity. Moderate pricing and quiet surroundings attract academically focused renters.

Boulder’s rental market moves fast. Start searching early. The best units disappear quickly. Check Ralphie’s List through CU Boulder and browse Findmyplace.co for current availability, student reviews, and pricing across all three neighborhoods.