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Kent is a college town of approximately 29,000 residents in Portage County, Ohio, located about 11 miles east of Akron and 45 miles southeast of Cleveland in the northeastern part of the state. The city is defined by its relationship with Kent State University, one of Ohio's largest public universities with roughly 28,000 students, whose campus borders the downtown and whose academic calendar shapes much of the city's economic and social rhythm. Kent's downtown, centered on North Water Street, is a lively strip of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, music venues, and locally owned businesses that caters heavily to the student population but also maintains a distinct local identity. The city is known nationally for its connection to the May 4, 1970 shootings, which are commemorated on the Kent State campus and draw visitors and researchers from around the world. Beyond its history, Kent has developed a strong identity as an arts and music town, with a thriving independent music scene rooted in the venues along Water Street. The surrounding region offers access to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Portage Lakes, and the outdoor amenities of northeastern Ohio. The rental housing market is large and affordable relative to major Ohio metro areas, with student-dominated neighborhoods adjacent to campus offering a range of housing options at competitive prices.
The streets immediately adjacent to campus and along North Water Street form the most walkable and socially active student neighborhood in Kent. Rents here are the highest in the student market, but the proximity to campus, dining, and nightlife makes this zone the most in-demand among upperclassmen.
The East Main Street and Summit Street corridor east of the campus core offers a mix of older houses and apartment buildings popular with upperclassmen seeking a short walk or quick bus ride to campus. Rents in this area are moderate and the neighborhood is well-established as a student zone.
This area south and southeast of campus offers some of the most affordable student housing in Kent, with larger houses suitable for groups of three to five students. The trade-off is a longer walk to central campus, which is manageable by bike or via the Flash bus.
Students who want to be in the middle of Kent's bar and restaurant scene sometimes choose apartments in the blocks immediately surrounding downtown North Water Street. This location maximizes access to nightlife and dining while remaining close enough to campus to commute comfortably on foot or by bike.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Kent.
Kent is served by the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority, known as PARTA, which operates bus routes connecting Kent to Akron, Ravenna, and other Portage County destinations. Kent State University also operates the Flash bus system, which provides free rides to students on routes that connect campus to off-campus neighborhoods, the downtown, and major student destinations. The combination of PARTA and the university Flash bus system makes it possible to live in Kent without a car for most day-to-day activities, though access to Akron and Cleveland is easiest with personal transportation.
The university district and downtown Kent are highly walkable for students living in the neighborhoods adjacent to campus. Most off-campus houses and apartments within the student housing zone are within a 10 to 25 minute walk of the main academic buildings on campus. Kent has bike lanes and shared-use paths connecting parts of the student housing area to campus, and the proximity of the Portage Hike and Bike Trail provides a dedicated off-road cycling route. Biking is a popular choice for students during the warmer months of the academic year.
Students with cars can find street parking in the residential neighborhoods surrounding campus, though permit zones and time-limited spaces require attention near campus. Kent State offers commuter parking permits for students who drive to campus regularly, and several surface lots serve the downtown area. Parking is generally easier and less expensive in Kent than in larger Ohio cities, but the most popular blocks near campus can fill during class hours.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Shared houses in the university district typically rent for $450 to $750 per person per month with multiple roommates. One-bedroom apartments near campus range from $750 to $1,100 per month, making Kent one of the more affordable college housing markets in Ohio.
Browse student housing near each Kent-area university.