2026 Guide to Off-Campus Housing Near Santa Clara University

Accounting & Information Systems student at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business and an official SCU Student Ambassador.

Finding off-campus housing is one of the most important preparations for studying at Santa Clara University (SCU). Students need to compare more than monthly rent: room configuration, commute time, utilities, parking, renters insurance, furniture, and lease conditions can all affect the actual cost of living.

This guide explains the most common housing terms, estimated 2026 rental prices, popular neighborhoods, transportation options, and practical housing-search resources near SCU.

Rental prices and availability can change daily. The figures below are 2026 reference estimates rather than guaranteed quotations. Students should confirm the total monthly cost and lease conditions directly with the property or landlord before applying.

1. Common Housing Types

Understanding common rental terms is the first step when searching through U.S. housing platforms.

Housing Types Near SCU

Furnished or Unfurnished?

Most long-term apartment rentals in the United States are unfurnished.

Unfurnished

An unfurnished unit generally does not include a bed frame, mattress, desk, chairs, or other movable furniture. Window coverings may vary by property.

The initial setup requires more time and money, but unfurnished units usually provide:

• More housing choices

• Lower monthly rent

• Greater flexibility for long-term residents

Students can purchase furniture from IKEA or Costco or search for used items through platforms such as Facebook Marketplace.

Furnished

Furnished units are more common in student housing and short-term subleases.

They usually cost more per month but allow students to move in with fewer initial purchases. Furnished housing may be useful for short-term stays or students who do not want to transport and assemble furniture.

2. Santa Clara Rental Prices in 2026

Santa Clara is located in Silicon Valley, where housing costs are considerably higher than the national average.

Rental platforms use different datasets and calculation methods. In August 2026, Apartments.com reported average monthly rents of approximately $2,967 for a studio, $3,469 for a one-bedroom apartment, $4,244 for a two-bedroom apartment, and $4,750 for a three-bedroom apartment. Other platforms reported somewhat different medians and averages. Apartments.com, RentCafe, Zillow, and Zumper all showed substantial variation by unit type and listing inventory.

A practical 2026 reference range is:

• Studio: approximately 2,500–3,000+ per month

• 1B1B: approximately 3,000–3,800 per month

• 2B2B: approximately 3,600–4,500 per month

• 3B: approximately 4,300–5,400 per month

Reducing Individual Housing Costs

Many SCU graduate students share a 2B2B or 3B apartment. Depending on the location, lease, room allocation, and number of occupants, this can reduce individual rent to approximately 1,300–2,000 per month.

A private room in a nearby house may cost approximately 1,100–1,550 per month, although utilities are often charged separately.

Seasonality also affects prices. The July-to-September move-in season typically brings stronger demand, while November through February may offer more negotiation opportunities or move-in incentives. These patterns are not guaranteed, so students should monitor listings early.

3. Utilities, Parking, and Insurance

Before signing a lease, always ask the leasing office or landlord:

“What utilities are included in the rent?”

Base rent may not include electricity, gas, water, trash, internet, parking, or renters insurance.

Silicon Valley Power

A major cost difference within the area is the electricity provider.

Properties located within the City of Santa Clara generally receive electricity through the municipally owned Silicon Valley Power (SVP). Apartments outside the city boundary may use Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

According to SVP’s official 2026 comparison, its estimated average residential rate was approximately $0.182 per kilowatt-hour, compared with approximately $0.422 per kilowatt-hour for the referenced PG&E bundled residential rate. SVP described its average residential rate as approximately 57% lower. Silicon Valley Power

Actual bills depend on the building, season, appliances, heating and cooling, number of occupants, and personal usage.

For illustration, a household using 400 kWh per month would have an estimated rate-based difference of approximately $96 per month between $0.182 and $0.422 per kWh. That could exceed $1,100 over a year before account-specific fees, gas charges, and other adjustments.

Students should verify whether a prospective address is inside the City of Santa Clara and which providers serve the unit.

Common Additional Costs

Students without a Social Security Number may be asked for an additional deposit when opening certain utility accounts. Confirm the required identification and deposit directly with the provider.

4. Where to Live Near SCU

SCU is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and apartment communities. Housing options can be grouped into three general areas based on commuting distance.

Walking Distance: Within 1.5 Miles

The Old Quad and the streets surrounding campus contain older single-family houses and smaller apartment buildings, including fourplexes and eightplexes.

Advantages

• Walking or cycling distance from academic buildings

• Short daily commute

• Many private-room and shared-house options

Considerations

• Buildings may be older

• Maintenance quality varies by landlord

• Heating, cooling, insulation, and laundry facilities should be inspected carefully

Apartment Communities: Within 1–2 Miles

The El Camino Real corridor and Downtown Santa Clara include larger apartment communities with standardized management and additional amenities.

The Benton

The Benton is located at 588 El Camino Real, directly north of campus and close to Lucas Hall.

The property includes amenities such as a rooftop clubhouse, swimming pool, spa, fitness facilities, and shared outdoor spaces. Its location is highly convenient, but rental prices are generally at the higher end of the local market.

Domicilio

Domicilio is located along El Camino Real and offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans.

The community includes modern amenities and is within walking distance of the Santa Clara Transit Center. Recent listings placed studio units in the mid-$3,000 range, although pricing changes according to lease term, availability, and concessions.

Nanda on the Alameda

Nanda on the Alameda is a newer student-oriented housing property at 2655 The Alameda.

It offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts and is located southeast of campus near Safeway. Its proximity to SCU makes it convenient for students seeking modern housing close to academic buildings.

Lower-Cost Areas: More Than 2 Miles Away

Students may find less expensive units along The Alameda toward San Jose or in areas farther from central Santa Clara.

Current market data shows that comparable San Jose units can cost several hundred dollars less per month on average than Santa Clara apartments. Santa Clara rental trends and San Jose rental trends

The tradeoff is commuting. Students living farther away may need a car, bicycle, or longer public-transit journey. Any rent savings should be compared with transportation, parking, fuel, and time costs.

5. Shopping and Transportation

Grocery Shopping

Common grocery and household shopping options include:

• Safeway: A practical option for everyday groceries, with locations along El Camino Real and in Rivermark.

• Target: Useful for move-in supplies, household products, and groceries.

• Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s: Options for organic products, prepared foods, and snacks.

• Costco: Suitable for bulk shopping, particularly for students with access to a car.

• 99 Ranch Market and H Mart: Chinese and Korean supermarkets are available within approximately a 15-to-20-minute drive, depending on traffic and the starting location.

Caltrain

The Santa Clara Caltrain Station is located next to the university at 1001 Railroad Avenue. Caltrain serves stations throughout the Peninsula, including Palo Alto and San Francisco. Santa Clara Station and Caltrain system information

This can be useful for students attending professional events, interviews, or internships elsewhere in the Bay Area. Travel time and service frequency vary, so students should review the current schedule before planning a commute.

VTA Buses

VTA Route 22 and Rapid 522 operate along the El Camino Real corridor, providing important connections for students without cars. Route 22

Students should check service alerts and schedules because temporary stop closures and route changes may affect travel times.

Airport Access

Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is generally the most convenient airport for SCU. It is approximately four miles from campus, and driving time is often around 10 minutes under light traffic.

VTA Route 60 connects the Santa Clara Transit Center with SJC Airport. VTA Route 60 and Caltrain airport connections

Fare rules depend on the boarding location and current VTA policy. Students should not assume that every Route 60 trip is free and should check the latest fare information before traveling.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) provides more international flight options but is considerably farther from SCU.

6. Finding Reliable Housing

SCU Off Campus Living

The SCU Off Campus Living office provides housing resources and general policy information for undergraduate and graduate students.

SCU recommends beginning the housing search approximately 9–14 months before the intended move-in date because demand within five miles of campus continues to increase. SCU Off-Campus Housing Resources

The university provides informational resources but does not act as a landlord, guarantee individual listings, or provide legal advice. Students remain responsible for reviewing contracts and evaluating landlords and properties.

Major Rental Platforms

Students can search by location, price, unit type, and amenities through platforms such as:

• Zillow

• Apartments.com

• Apartment List

• Zumper

Potential tenants should verify the property address and owner or management company before transferring money or submitting personal documents.

Apartment Websites

Large apartment communities usually post their most current availability and pricing on their official websites.

Some properties offer temporary move-in incentives, such as several weeks of free rent or a reduced first month. Students should calculate the total cost over the full lease term rather than focusing only on the advertised concession.

A Note from Sandy

Finding off-campus housing can feel like the first major challenge of building an independent life in the United States.

Comparing prices, finding roommates, communicating with leasing staff, and reading a lengthy English-language lease are all part of the process. Each step is also an opportunity to become more confident and independent.

Start early, compare multiple options, and never be afraid to ask questions. I hope every student can find a comfortable home in the Bay Area.

See you at SCU! 🏠