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Champaign, Illinois sits right next to Urbana, and together the twin cities wrap around the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and its tens of thousands of students. The heart of student life is Campustown, the dense stretch along Green Street packed with student housing and everything within walking distance, just south of the Main Quad. Campus anchors the area with the open lawns of the Quad and green space at Washington Park, while Illini athletics keep the gamedays loud. Students spread across both cities, from Campustown and Downtown Champaign to the quieter tree-lined streets of West Urbana that run straight into campus. The two downtowns give you nightlife, arts, and a real city feel without the big-city grind.
Centered on Green Street, the busiest student area, walkable and steps from the Quad for people who want to be in the thick of it.
The leafy 'state streets' area that runs right into campus and suits students who want older homes and quieter blocks.
Offers a more grown-up city vibe with arts and nightlife, a quick bus ride from campus.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Champaign.
Champaign-Urbana is a transit town, and as a U of I student you ride the MTD buses fare-free with your i-Card. The system runs more than 20 routes and over 2,000 stops across Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy, so you can live a good distance from campus and still get there fast. A car isn't necessary for student life here, and many skip one given how strong the bus coverage is. The fare-free pass makes transit the default for most students.
Campustown along Green Street is extremely walkable, with class, food, and housing stacked together. Biking is popular too, since the area is flat and the cities have built out lanes and paths. The compact core makes walking the obvious choice near campus. Cyclists have a steadily expanding network of lanes to use.
A car isn't necessary for student life here, and many skip one given how strong the bus coverage is, though it can be useful for big grocery runs or trips out of town. Parking near Campustown is limited and competitive. The outer neighborhoods offer easier parking. Most students weigh the cost of a car against the fare-free transit.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
It ranges with location and roommates. Per-person rooms in shared units often land around $700-$1,000 per month, while individual studios and one-bedrooms in Campustown or Downtown Champaign frequently run $900-$1,400. The closer to Green Street, the higher the figure tends to climb.
Browse student housing near each Champaign-area university.