The Carbondale Mass Transit District and the SIU Saluki Express together provide reasonable coverage for students living near campus. For most daily needs including getting to class and running local errands, the transit network is sufficient, though a car helps for trips to outlying destinations.

Carbondale is one of the more affordable college towns in Illinois, with shared apartments and houses near SIU typically ranging from about $350 to $600 per person per month. All-inclusive furnished rentals are common in some complexes near campus, which can simplify budgeting.

Carbondale offers a classic college town experience with affordable housing, a compact walkable and bikeable layout, and a community centered around SIU. The city has a range of student-focused dining and entertainment options, and the surrounding natural areas in southern Illinois provide outdoor recreation opportunities.

Carbondale has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, typical of southern Illinois. Students should be prepared for occasional ice and snow in January and February, though winters are generally milder than in the northern part of the state.

Carbondale is approximately 300 miles south of Chicago, roughly a five to six hour drive. Amtrak's Illini and Saluki trains provide a direct rail connection between Carbondale and Chicago, which many students use for trips home during breaks.