--- title: Apartment Living Can Be More Affordable Than Dorm Life description: Living in the dorms can be deceptively more expensive than living in an apartment. Find out what you need to consider when considering your student housing options. image: https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/hubfs/apartment-living-dorm-life.jpg --- [First Site Apartments](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/home) - [On-Campus](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus) - [Overview - Start Here](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus) - Apartment Listings - [1 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/1) - [2 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/2) - [3 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/3) - [4 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/4) - [Houses](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/houses) - [Current Promotions](https://firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/current-promotions) - [Fiber Internet & TV](https://firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/fiber-internet-and-tv) - [2019 State Farm Summer Intern Program](https://firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/2019-state-farm-summer-intern-program) - [Parents Only](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/parents-only) - [Festival ISU 2018](https://firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/festival-isu-2018) - [On-Campus Map](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/on-campus-map) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/frequently-asked-questions) - [Learn More Now](https://firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/make-an-appointment#on-campus) - [Off-Campus](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus) - [Overview - Start Here](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus) - Apartment Listings - [1 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/1) - [2 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/2) - [3 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/3) - [Houses](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/apartment-listings/houses) - [Residential Map](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/residential-map) - [Specials](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/specials) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/frequently-asked-questions) - [Learn More Now](https://firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/make-an-appointment#off-campus) - News - [News & Information](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/news/news-and-information) - [Blog](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog) - Contact Us - [Make An Appointment](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/make-an-appointment) - [Staff](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/staff) - [Contact First Site](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/contact-first-site) - [About First Site](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/about-us/about-first-site) - [Why First Site](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/about-us/why-first-site) - [Pay Rent & Resident Portal](https://firstsite.residentportal.com/resident_portal/?module=authentication) - Resident Resources - [Rewards](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/resident-resources/rewards) - [Roommate Match](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/resident-resources/roommate-match) - [On-Campus Online Forms](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/resident-resources/on-campus-online-forms) - [On-Campus Subleasing](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/resident-resources/on-campus-subleasing) - [Off-Campus Online Forms](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/resident-resources/off-campus-online-forms) - [Off-Campus Subleasing](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/resident-resources/off-campus-subleasing) - [Home](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/home) - [On-Campus](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus) - [Overview - Start Here](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus) - Apartment Listings - [1 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/1) - [2 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/2) - [3 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/3) - [4 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/4) - [Houses](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/apartment-listings/houses) - [Parents Only](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/parents-only) - [On-Campus Map](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/on-campus-map) - [Subleasing](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/subleasing) - [Roommate Match](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/roommate-match) - [Specials](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/specials) - [Online Forms](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/online-forms) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/frequently-asked-questions) - [Schedule a Showing](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/make-an-appointment) - [Off-Campus](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus) - [Overview - Start Here](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus) - Apartment Listings - [1 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/1) - [2 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/2) - [3 Bedroom](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/apartment-listings/bedrooms/3) - [Houses](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/apartment-listings/houses) - [Residential Map](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/residential-map) - [Off-Campus Subleasing](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/off-campus-subleasing) - [Specials](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/specials) - [Online Forms](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/off-campus/online-forms) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/on-campus/frequently-asked-questions) - [Schedule a Showing](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/make-an-appointment) - [News](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/news) - About Us - [About First Site](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/about-us/about-first-site) - [Why First Site](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/about-us/why-first-site) - Contact Us - [Make An Appointment](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/make-an-appointment) - [Staff](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/staff) - [Contact First Site](https://www.firstsiteapartments.com/contact-us/contact-first-site) - [Pay Rent & Resident Portal](https://firstsite.residentportal.com/resident_portal/?module=authentication) - Resident Resource # Blog [![](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/hubfs/FirstSite_July2018/Images/down-arrow.png) ![](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/hubfs/FirstSite_July2018/Images/down-arrow.png) ![](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/hubfs/FirstSite_July2018/Images/down-arrow.png)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/apartment-living-can-be-more-affordable-than-dorm-life#top) ## Archive [\[ RSS \]](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/news/rss) [Recent Posts](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/news) - [September 2018 (4)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2018/09) - [October 2018 (4)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2018/10) - [November 2018 (3)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2018/11) - [December 2018 (3)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2018/12) - [January 2019 (3)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/01) - [February 2019 (3)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/02) - [April 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/04) - [May 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/05) - [June 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/06) - [July 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/07) - [August 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/08) - [September 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/09) - [October 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/10) - [November 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/11) - [December 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/12) # Apartment Living Can Be More Affordable Than Dorm Life **Published:** *Tue. Sep 18th, 2018 by:* ![apartment-living-dorm-life](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/hs-fs/hubfs/apartment-living-dorm-life.jpg?width=1200&name=apartment-living-dorm-life.jpg) You may think that living in the dorms is the cheapest option for room and board while you’re at school. However, living in an apartment is typically more cost-effective than living in a dorm. Here are the factors you need to check before making your decision. ## **What’s Included In Rent?** When looking at an apartment, you may be swayed one way or the other by the hard number of the monthly rent. One question you should ask is what the cost of the rent covers. In some rental agreements, rent may only include the cost of renting the space. In others, it may include some bills, such as: - Internet - Water - Electricity - Parking - Cable TV You may find that bundling all of these bills together is cheaper than paying them separately. Plus, it helps you focus on your homework and activities instead of tracking which bills to pay every month.   ## **Is The Deposit Refundable?** Deposits are typically paid at the signing of the lease. The landlord holds the money in case you damage your apartment or dorm while you live in it. Compare whether the dorms and apartments you’re interested in require a deposit and whether they refund it.  It turns out that dorms often require more money for deposits that are non-refundable. Apartments, on the other hand, can offer lower deposits that are refundable.   ## **What Does The Meal Plan Look Like?** Meal plans are typically required for students living in dorms, and they usually charge more than what you need if you were to shop for your own groceries. Apartments typically offer full kitchens. Students who live in apartments, and who buy and cook their own food can save an extra 20-25 percent each year—a significant $3,000. You can use that money for your spring break trip, to take an extra class, or to begin investing.   ## **Do You Like Personal Space?** If you’re one who enjoys personal space, you may consider an apartment over a dorm. - Dorms are smaller than apartments. - Dorms monitors may require you to check in after a certain time of night. - Dorms kick you out as soon as school is over. On the other hand, apartments offer more space. - Apartments are generally bigger than dorms. - You have the option of getting a personal bedroom and bathroom in an apartment. - Apartments don’t require you to check in. - Apartments let you stick around until your lease is up.   ## **What Else Do You Need To Consider?** Apartment living and dorm living has a few other factors for you to think about. - **On-Campus vs. Off-Campus** - On-campus housing is a little more expensive than off-campus housing because of its proximity to school. - ****Service Fees** - Both dorms and apartments will charge service fees. You need to consider what your fees will be for each and which is more affordable for you. **Furnishings** - Some apartments come fully furnished, which will make move-in easier. Tuition** - You must include the cost of tuition in your college budget. - ****Bedrooms** - The cost of an apartment increases with the amount of bedrooms, but a 4-bedroom apartment with four people splitting the rent can still more affordable than a single person living in a dorm suite. ** Think about these factors as you hunt for your next apartment. [![Your Guide To Student Housing Costs](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4726991/ec526267-6a87-411c-8745-8a6403d62f34.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4726991/ec526267-6a87-411c-8745-8a6403d62f34) [« Back to News](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog) ## Archive [\[ RSS \]](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/rss.xml) [Recent Posts](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog) - [September 2018 (4)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2018/09) - [October 2018 (4)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2018/10) - [November 2018 (3)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2018/11) - [December 2018 (3)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2018/12) - [January 2019 (3)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/01) - [February 2019 (3)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/02) - [April 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/04) - [May 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/05) - [June 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/06) - [July 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/07) - [August 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/08) - [September 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/09) - [October 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/10) - [November 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/11) - [December 2019 (2)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/archive/2019/12) ### By Author - [First Site Staff (38)](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/blog/author/first-site-staff)          ![Bloomington](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/hubfs/FirstSite_July2018/Images/Best-of-Seal-01.png) [![Web Designers in Bloomington](https://blog.firstsiteapartments.com/hubfs/FirstSite_July2018/Images/cybernautic.png)](http://www.cybernauticdesign.com/)