Student Housing vs. Regular Apartments Near U of U: Which Is Actually Better?

If you’re deciding where to live near the University of Utah, you’ll likely face this question early: Should I choose student housing or a regular apartment?

Both options are advertised heavily. Both claim to be “perfect for students.” And both can be either a great fit or a complete headache depending on your situation.

At Find My Place, we see students on both sides of this decision every year. The right answer depends less on marketing and more on how each option actually works day to day. This guide breaks down the real differences so you can choose what’s actually better for you.

What counts as student housing near U of U?

Student housing usually refers to purpose-built apartments designed specifically for students. These properties often:

• Lease by the bedroom, not the unit
• Offer individual leases
• Come furnished
• Include roommate matching
• Market amenities like gyms, study rooms, and social events

They are commonly located close to campus or near major transit routes.

What counts as a regular apartment?

Regular apartments are traditional rentals not designed specifically for students. These include:

• Standard apartment complexes
• Duplexes or smaller buildings
• Houses rented by groups of students

They usually lease the entire unit, not individual rooms, and are often unfurnished.

Cost comparison: which is actually cheaper?

This is where most students get misled.

Student housing costs

Student housing often looks affordable at first because:

• Rent is advertised per bed
• Utilities may appear included
• Furnishings are provided

But total cost often includes:

• Higher base rent per room
• Amenity fees
• Technology or internet fees
• Parking fees
• Utility caps with overages

Student housing is usually predictable, not necessarily cheap.

Regular apartment costs

Regular apartments often have:

• Lower base rent per bedroom
• Fewer built-in fees
• No amenity charges

But you may need to budget for:

• Furniture
• Separate utilities
• Internet setup
• Shared financial responsibility

Regular apartments can be cheaper long-term, but only if roommates are reliable and costs are managed well.

Lease structure: risk vs flexibility

Student housing leases

Most student housing uses individual leases.

• You are responsible only for your portion
• If a roommate does not pay, it does not affect you
• Easier to leave through contract transfers

This structure reduces financial risk, especially for first-time renters.

Regular apartment leases

Most regular apartments use joint leases.

• Everyone is responsible for full rent
• One roommate missing payment affects all
• Breaking a lease is harder

This setup increases risk but can lower monthly costs if everyone is dependable.

Roommates: convenience vs control

Student housing roommates

Pros:

• Roommate matching options
• Easier to fill empty rooms
• Individual responsibility

Cons:

• Limited control over who you live with
• Less ability to screen roommates
• More turnover

Student housing is convenient, but you may sacrifice compatibility.

Regular apartment roommates

Pros:

• You choose your roommates
• More lifestyle compatibility
• Greater sense of control

Cons:

• More responsibility if someone leaves
• Shared liability on joint leases

Regular apartments reward good planning but punish poor roommate choices.

Furnishing and move-in ease

Student housing

• Typically furnished
• Easier move-in for out-of-state students
• Less upfront cost

This is a major advantage for students without furniture or transport.

Regular apartments

• Usually unfurnished
• Higher upfront costs
• More setup time

However, long-term renters may prefer owning their own furniture.

Amenities: useful or overpriced?

Student housing often advertises:

• Gyms
• Pools
• Study lounges
• Social events

Some students love these. Others never use them but still pay for them.

Regular apartments typically offer fewer amenities, which keeps costs lower. You pay less, but you also get less.

Location and commute

Student housing is often:

• Closer to campus
• Near UTA TRAX lines
• Designed around student schedules

Regular apartments may:

• Be farther from campus
• Require a car or longer transit
• Offer quieter neighborhoods

If walkability matters, student housing often wins. If peace and space matter, regular apartments may be better.

Noise and lifestyle differences

Student housing tends to be:

• Louder
• More social
• More transient

Regular apartments are often:

• Quieter
• More mixed-age
• Less party-oriented

Your tolerance for noise should heavily influence your decision.

Flexibility if plans change

Student housing flexibility

Student housing usually allows:

• Contract transfers
• Lease takeovers
• Structured exit processes

This matters if:

• You graduate early
• Study abroad
• Change schools
• Face unexpected life changes

Regular apartment flexibility

Regular apartments are:

• Less flexible
• Harder to exit early
• More expensive to break

Flexibility has real value, especially for students.

Who student housing is best for

Student housing near U of U is usually best if you:

• Are a first-time renter
• Want predictable monthly costs
• Prefer individual leases
• Do not want to buy furniture
• Value proximity to campus
• Want lower financial risk

Convenience and structure are the main benefits.

Who regular apartments are best for

Regular apartments are usually best if you:

• Have reliable roommates
• Want lower rent per person
• Prefer quiet living
• Plan to stay multiple years
• Are comfortable managing utilities and bills

Control and cost savings are the main advantages.

The biggest mistake students make

The biggest mistake is choosing based on price alone.

Students who regret their choice usually:

• Underestimate fees in student housing
• Overestimate roommate reliability in regular apartments
• Ignore lease structure risks
• Choose convenience without reading the lease

Understanding how each option works matters more than the listing headline.

How Find My Place helps students compare options

Find My Place exists to make this decision clearer.

• Student-focused comparisons
• Lease structure transparency
• Real cost breakdowns
• Contract and takeover options

We help students choose based on reality, not marketing.

Final verdict

There is no universal winner between student housing and regular apartments near the University of Utah.

Student housing is better for:

• Simplicity
• Flexibility
• First-time renters
• Predictability

Regular apartments are better for:

• Lower long-term cost
• Lifestyle control
• Quiet living
• Experienced renters

The best choice is the one that fits your budget, risk tolerance, and lifestyle, not what looks best in an ad.

Choosing correctly now saves you money, stress, and housing regret later.