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The 12 Best Overall Student Apartments Near Penn (September 2026)

University of Pennsylvania·Philadelphia, PA·Updated Monthly

By the FMP Data Team · Reviewed September 1, 2026

37 properties reviewed
179+ reviews analyzed
updated September 2026
independent·no pay-to-rank
the short answer

Chestnut Hall Apartments leads our September 2026 ranking of the 12 Best Overall student apartments near Penn with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by The Mark Philadelphia and Rushwood Apartments. Across the 37 properties reviewed, students keep coming back to amenities & shared spaces and management & maintenance: the overall signals that move a property up this ranking. Browse all off-campus housing near University of Pennsylvania for every option.

  • winnerChestnut Hall Apartments
  • FMP Score range4.2–5.0 / 5
  • avg walk0 min to campus
  • rent range$625–$8425 /person
the ranking

The 12 Best Overall Student Apartments Near Penn

Sorted by FMP Score from verified Penn reviews, high to low. Scores reflect current Penn reviews only.

  1. Chestnut Hall Apartments
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Chestnut Hall Apartments stands out as the top overall choice near Penn for students seeking a well-rounded living experience. Residents consistently praise the building's management and community atmosphere, with staff like Cavan earning genuine appreciation from those who interact with them. The property delivers on the basics that matter most to students: responsive management, a welcoming environment, and the kind of reliable service that makes student life less stressful. It's the kind of place where you feel taken care of from day one.

    $1121/person/mo
  2. The Mark Philadelphia
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Mark Philadelphia earns its rank as a top overall option through exceptional leasing and management that makes the entire rental process feel effortless. Students consistently highlight the professionalism and genuine kindness of staff members like Aoife and Matthew, who go out of their way to answer questions thoroughly and walk applicants through every step without pressure. The building's thoughtful touches like a model room display and hardhat tours for those interested show that management actually listens to what students need. As one resident noted, Aoife made the process "incredibly easy and stress-free," setting the tone for what living here feels like.

    $1050/person/mo
  3. Rushwood Apartments
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Rushwood Apartments ranks as an overall standout because it combines exceptional management with genuine community and amenities that students actually love living with long-term. Quinton's consistent dedication to going above and beyond during the approval process has earned him a reputation as someone who truly cares, turning what could be a stressful experience into something smooth and professional. Beyond the leasing office, residents rave about the beautiful pool, solid gym, and the kind of neighbor community that keeps people renewing their leases year after year. As one multi-year resident put it, "I've been here almost a year now. I absolutely LOVE it! Rushwood rocks!!" That kind of genuine enthusiasm speaks volumes.

    $1419/person/mo
  4. The Accolade on Chestnut
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Accolade on Chestnut excels as an overall choice by delivering clean, secure housing with transparent pricing and staff who genuinely invest in making residents feel supported. Kerry's consistent presence and responsiveness from answering questions during the leasing process to coordinating every detail of your move-in sets a tone of real care that students notice and appreciate. The building's all-inclusive rent structure eliminates hidden fees, and the maintenance team backs up the promise with lightning-fast response times when issues arise. As one resident reflected, "I found the building to be very clean and secure," and that reliability combined with Kerry's attentiveness makes this a place where students can actually relax.

    $1435/person/mo
  5. Avira
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Avira stands out as the complete package for students seeking an exceptional living experience near Penn, combining stunning views with genuine community. Residents rave about the welcoming management team, especially Kristen, and the thoughtfully designed communal spaces that host engaging events throughout the year. The skyline views and sunrise-to-sunset vistas create an unbeatable backdrop, while the friendly, helpful resident culture makes it feel like home from day one. As one resident put it, "The welcoming community. Everyone is friendly and helpful, and the location is unbeatable, easily one of the best spots in Philly."

    $2265/person/mo
  6. SOLO on Chestnut - 4233
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: SOLO on Chestnut earns its spot with unbeatable transit access and a vibrant community atmosphere that keeps residents engaged. The building's proximity to the 21 bus line and Center City makes getting around Philly seamless, while the thoughtfully planned events create meaningful connections among residents. The convenient location means you're never far from where you need to be, and the welcoming vibe keeps the community feeling fresh. As one resident noted, "Love the atomsphere" at the events that bring people together.

    $1350/person/mo
  7. Temple Villas
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Temple Villas earns trust through exceptional maintenance and responsive ownership that actually listens to tenant concerns. Residents consistently praise the same-day maintenance response times and the owner's genuine commitment to keeping units in top condition, making it clear they care about where you live. The well-maintained apartments and reliable upkeep create a sense of security that matters when you're away from home. As one parent reflected, "I felt listened to and all of my concerns were taken care of. I have a sense of well being that my daughter is living in an apartment that is so well maintained."

    $625/person/mo
  8. Carlisle Court Medical Student Housing
    4.8(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Carlisle Court delivers everything grad and professional students need: furnished, spacious units with in-unit laundry, responsive management, and a prime location near Temple's hospital and transit hubs. The renovated homes come with thoughtful amenities like backyards and basements, while the property manager consistently earns praise for quick, efficient responses to maintenance requests. Safety and convenience are built into the experience, from the well-maintained grounds to the ideal walkability for busy students. As one resident put it, "The two main things that I look for in a place as a busy student is convenience/ease and safety," and Carlisle Court delivers on both fronts.

    $1900/person/mo
  9. Paloma University City
    4.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Paloma University City stands out as an overall choice near Penn because of its genuinely welcoming community and thoughtful management from day one. Students consistently praise the spacious apartments, seamless move-in experience, and the kind staff who make you feel at home even when you've signed a lease sight unseen. As one resident shared, the front desk team is "very friendly and helpful," and that warmth extends across the whole complex where "everyone is so nice." Just keep in mind that package security can be hit-or-miss, so consider using package lockers or having deliveries held.

    $1169/person/mo
  10. The Greenery Apartments
    4.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Greenery Apartments earns its spot as an overall near-Penn favorite thanks to responsive staff who genuinely know their residents and beautiful, well-maintained units that feel like home. Students love the spacious, clean apartments and the flexibility to bring pets one resident even brought their dog Blu and felt welcomed. The property manager Mark is the kind of person who remembers your name despite juggling multiple properties, and as one tenant put it, he "always responded in the most helpful way." Just be aware that some units near stairwells have experienced pest issues, so ask about location when you tour.

    $1450/person/mo
  11. Evo at Cira Centre South
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Evo at Cira Centre South stands out for its stellar new management team and the kind of real, human service that actually makes a difference in student life. Residents are excited about the shift in leadership and the responsive, communicative staff who treat you like a person, not a ticket number. As one happy resident put it, "Love evos new management a lot happier here with them. Real people." Pair that with stunning skyline views and you've got a place that feels both beautiful and genuinely cared for.

    $983/person/mo
  12. YONO Apartments
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: YONO Apartments offers a clean, quiet living environment with genuinely attentive staff who take pride in hospitality and maintaining high standards. The reviews highlight the courteous and enthusiastic front desk team, spotless rooms, and peaceful atmosphere that make it an easy choice for students seeking a well-run residence near Penn. The combination of cleanliness, staff warmth, and tranquility creates a space where you can actually focus on your studies and enjoy your time off campus.

    $970/person/mo

The Full Ranking, One Table

Click any column to sort. The rank stays with the property.
The full ranking of every listed apartment, sortable by any column.
1Chestnut Hall Apartments5.0/55–$1121/mo
2The Mark Philadelphia5.0/55–$1050/mo
3Rushwood Apartments5.0/55–$1419/mo
4The Accolade on Chestnut5.0/55–$1435/mo
5Avira5.0/55–$2265/mo
6SOLO on Chestnut - 42335.0/55–$1350/mo
7Temple Villas5.0/55–$625/mo
8Carlisle Court Medical Student Housing4.8/55–$1900/mo
9Paloma University City4.6/55–$1169/mo
10The Greenery Apartments4.6/55–$1450/mo
11Evo at Cira Centre South4.2/55–$983/mo
12YONO Apartments4.2/55–$970/mo

Walk times are door-to-door to Penn campus. Rent is per person, per month.

FMP award criteria

How We Ranked These Apartments

1

Ranked by the FMP Score

FMP Score, high to low. That’s the whole ranking. It’s our overall measure of a property, combining verified review scores with signals reviews miss, like how current the listing is kept and how responsive management is. Ties go to the property with more verified reviews.

2

Who Makes the List

Every property near Penn can appear, but it takes a minimum number of verified reviews before we score and rank it. Properties under that bar sit below every ranked property and move up automatically as reviews come in.

3

How We Calculate the FMP Score

The FMP Score blends the social, management, and quality scores from verified reviews with signals that a place is actively and well run, like how up to date its listing is kept and how consistently management responds to residents. It’s built to surface genuinely well-run properties, not just the highest raw review average.

by the numbers

What Makes an Apartment ‘well-rounded’ Near Penn

We ran every verified overall review for Penn-area apartments through theme analysis. These are the themes students bring up most when a place feels well-rounded, by share of the reviews that mention them.

responsive staff and management
33%
maintenance and facility issues
23%
package theft and security
15%

Based on AI analysis of verified Penn overall reviews, refreshed monthly. Percentages show the share of reviews that mention each theme; most reviews mention more than one. See our complete Penn review data →

faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall student apartment near Penn?

Chestnut Hall Apartments leads our September 2026 ranking of the 12 Best Overall student apartments near Penn with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by The Mark Philadelphia and Rushwood Apartments.

How is this ranking calculated?

This list is ranked by one number: each property's overall score from verified reviews. Students rate a property's overall 1 to 5, and we average those scores, counting recent reviews more heavily than older ones. No self-reported data from landlords.

What makes an apartment the best overall?

The best overall apartments score highly across everything students rate (social scene, management, and unit quality), not just one. This ranking uses each property's overall rating from verified reviews.

How often is this ranking updated?

Monthly. We re-pull verified reviews and re-score every property at the start of each month, so the order reflects the most recent 24 months of student feedback. The “updated” date at the top of the page shows the latest refresh.

How many reviews does a property need to be included?

There's a minimum number of verified reviews to rank by score, and we don't publish the exact bar so it can't be gamed. Properties under it still appear, below every qualified property and ordered by review count, so a 5.0 from one review never outranks a 4.5 from thirty. Once a property collects enough reviews, it moves into the scored ranking automatically.

Is this ranking independent, or can properties pay to rank higher?

It's fully independent. There's no pay-to-rank. Position is set by verified reviews alone. Property managers can't buy placement, remove reviews, or influence the score.

for property managers

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Find My Place Award2026
11st place

Best Overall

student apartments near Penn

Verified & independentUniversity of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, PA
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