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Frostburg is a small Appalachian college town in Allegany County, western Maryland, sitting at an elevation of about 2,600 feet in the Allegheny Highlands. The town of roughly 8,000 residents owes much of its identity to Frostburg State University, whose campus anchors the community and drives the local economy through students, faculty, and staff who fill the town's restaurants, shops, and cultural events throughout the academic year. The historic downtown along Main Street retains much of its 19th-century commercial architecture, giving Frostburg a sense of place that feels genuine rather than manufactured. Beyond the campus, the town is defined by its mountain setting: the surrounding state forests, the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail, and proximity to Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Resort make outdoor recreation a central part of life here. Winters are cold and snowy by Maryland standards, with the elevation regularly delivering more accumulation than the rest of the state. Cumberland, the nearest city of any significant size, lies about 15 miles to the east along the old National Road corridor and provides access to larger stores and services. Frostburg's combination of mountain scenery, a lively student culture, and an authentic small-town atmosphere makes it a distinctive and appealing place to live for students and locals alike.
The blocks immediately surrounding the FSU campus form the center of student life in Frostburg. Rental houses and small apartment buildings here fill up quickly each fall as upperclassmen claim the most convenient spots.
Frostburg's historic commercial main street is a short walk from campus and anchors daily life in the town. Apartments near this corridor put students close to local restaurants, shops, and the community gathering spaces that give Frostburg its small-town character.
A quieter residential cluster west of campus draws students and young professionals seeking more space and slightly lower rents. The streets here are peaceful and well-suited to students who prefer a calmer living environment while staying within walking distance of the university.
Stretching along the ridgeline east of downtown, this area offers older rental homes with views of the surrounding mountains. It is a bit more of a walk to campus but rewards students who appreciate the scenery and a sense of separation from the busiest parts of town.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Frostburg.
Frostburg is a small Appalachian college town where most daily transportation is handled on foot or by car. The Allegany County Transit system operates limited bus routes that connect Frostburg to Cumberland, the nearest larger city about 15 miles to the east. Service runs on weekday schedules and is primarily used for commuting to employment rather than student errands. Students relying on transit for off-campus needs should plan around posted schedules carefully.
Frostburg State University's campus sits at the heart of a compact, walkable college town where most student housing and daily amenities are within a 10 to 15 minute walk. Main Street's shops, restaurants, and services are easily accessible on foot from both campus and nearby off-campus housing. Biking is feasible on flatter sections of town, though Frostburg's hilly terrain can make cycling challenging in some directions. Many students find that a good pair of walking shoes handles the vast majority of their transportation needs.
On-campus parking is available through Frostburg State and requires a permit for students bringing vehicles to campus. The surrounding town streets offer metered and free parking near Main Street and residential areas. Because Frostburg is small and most destinations are walkable, many students find that having a car is more useful for weekend trips to Cumberland or Morgantown than for daily campus life. Off-campus rental houses typically include driveway or street parking as part of the rental arrangement.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Frostburg is one of the more affordable small college towns in the mid-Atlantic region. Rooms in shared student houses typically run $400 to $600 per month, while a full two-bedroom apartment generally costs between $700 and $1,000. The low cost of living is one of the most frequently cited advantages of studying and living in Frostburg.
Browse student housing near each Frostburg-area university.