How Much Do You Really Need to Live Near UCLA Each Month?

Before you sign a lease near Westwood, look at the real numbers, not the ones on the listing page.

Most students and graduate students who move to the UCLA area don't realize that their monthly costs are $300 to $500 higher than they thought. On paper, the rent seems reasonable, but then the first utility bill comes, parking becomes a daily stress, and all of a sudden, you're losing money you didn't plan for. This guide tells you exactly how much it costs to live near UCLA each month, including rent, utilities, parking, and other costs that most people forget about. This way, you can make a budget without any surprises.

What Rent Near UCLA Really Looks Like

The UCLA campus is in Westwood, Los Angeles. The neighborhoods around it—Westwood, Palms, Mar Vista, Brentwood, and Sawtelle—each have their own price ranges.

Based on the most recent information about the Los Angeles rental market (2024–2025):

UCLA graduate housing through the university (like the Weyburn Terrace or Rieber Vista grad complexes) is usually a little cheaper than the market price—usually between $1,400 and $2,000 a month, depending on the type of room and how many people are living there—but there aren't many available, and incoming graduate students may have to wait months or even longer for a spot.

Most people looking for apartments near UCLA on the open market will pay more for Westwood because it is easy to walk around. If you're okay with a 15- to 25-minute bike or bus ride to work, Brentwood and Sawtell have much lower rents.

Utilities: The Line Item That Wasn't Budgeted Enough

Most apartments in Westwood and West LA list rent and utilities separately, and the gap between them is larger than most people think.

Monthly utility bills near UCLA are usually:

• Electricity: $60-$120. The weather in LA keeps cooling costs reasonable for most of the year, but they can rise in September and October for older buildings without central HVAC.
• Gas: $20-$50 (less in newer buildings, more in older ones with gas heating)
• Water and trash: $30-$60 (sometimes the landlord includes it, sometimes not)
• Internet: $45-$80. Spectrum and AT&T Fiber are the main providers in the area.
• Renters insurance: $10-$20 (always get it)

The average monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom or shared apartment is $165 to $330.

Some newer student apartments and co-living spaces near UCLA include utilities in the monthly rent, which makes it much easier to plan your budget. Before you compare listings side by side, always ask what's included. A $2,200 all-inclusive unit can be cheaper than a $1,950 unit where you pay for utilities separately.

Parking: One of LA's Most Expensive Habits

This is a topic that needs its own serious discussion if you're bringing a car to campus or just keeping one nearby.

Transportation Services at UCLA charges $100 to $150 per month for a student parking permit, depending on the lot and permit type. There are a lot more people who want permits than there are permits available.

Options for parking off campus:

• A dedicated parking space in an apartment building costs between $100 and $250 per month, depending on the area and whether it is in a garage or on a surface lot.
• Monthly parking in a private lot near Westwood costs between $120 and $200.
• Street parking: In theory, it's free, but most streets in Westwood and Brentwood are in residential permit (RPP) zones, and obtaining a permit from the City of LA takes time and costs about $63 per year for the first vehicle.

Some streets in Palms and Mar Vista don't require permits, which makes parking easier. This is one reason renters willing to bike or take the Big Blue Bus to campus often prefer those neighborhoods.

If you own a car and need guaranteed parking, you should set aside $150 to $250 a month on top of your rent. You don't have to do this at all if you don't have a car or use a bike and public transportation together.

The Whole Monthly Budget Picture

This is a realistic monthly cost breakdown for a UCLA grad student who shares a two-bedroom apartment in West LA, a common arrangement for grad students who want to save money.

If you want a studio apartment in Westwood that you can live in by yourself, you should plan on spending between $2,400 and $3,100 a month, not including food, transportation, or other costs.

What Most Budget Guides Don't Tell You

1. Laundry: Many older Westwood apartments have coin-operated laundry rooms available to everyone. Plan on spending $30 to $60 a month unless your unit has a washer and dryer.
2. Costs to move in: As of July 2024, Los Angeles law states that security deposits for units may not exceed 1 month's rent (AB 12). But it used to be that the first month, last month, and the deposit were all due. Before you sign, make sure you know your rights.
3. Furnished vs. unfurnished: Furnished apartments cost more each month, but you don't have to pay for furniture up front. Furnished units are often better for students who only need a place to stay for a short time.
4. Lease length: Most Westwood landlords prefer 12-month leases. Leases that are shorter than six months or month-to-month usually cost an extra $100 to $300 per month. If you're a graduate student and don't know when you'll finish, think about this when you make your choice.

A Useful Tip About UCLA Grad Housing and Apartments Off-Campus

UCLA's on-campus graduate housing is really affordable compared to other places, and it's worth it for many new PhD and master's students to get on the waitlist early. But it's not a sure thing, and it's not always the best fit. Some grad students like living off-campus because it gives them more freedom, is close to certain parts of campus, or lets them sign a lease with a partner or roommate.

The right answer will depend on your stipend, your program's schedule, and how you live. A lot of grad students end up in Palms or Sawtelle because the rent is lower, the public transportation is good, and the area is a little more separate from the undergraduate campus.

The Bottom Line

It's not cheap to live near UCLA, but with careful planning, it's doable. For most students and graduate students:

• If you're sharing a 2BR unit in Brentwood or Sawtelle, plan on spending $1,500 to $2,000 a month.
• If you want a private unit close to campus in Westwood, plan to spend $2,200 to $2,800 per month.
• If utilities aren't included, add $165 to $330.
• If you need parking, add $150 to $250.

Students who are having trouble with money near UCLA usually aren't picking the wrong neighborhood. Instead, they are underestimating utility and parking costs or signing leases without considering the total cost of living. Don't just look at the rent; run the full number before you sign.

FAQs

Q: How much does it cost to live in UCLA's graduate housing on campus?

A: The cost of graduate housing at UCLA usually ranges from $1,400 to $2,000 per month, depending on the type of unit and how many people are living there. However, there aren't many units available. As soon as possible, incoming graduate students should apply for on-campus housing. Waitlists can be long. Most graduate students rent homes in nearby areas like Palms, Brentwood, or Sawtelle.

Q: What is the least expensive area to rent near UCLA?

A: Brentwood and Sawtelle always have lower rents than Westwood, and you can easily get to campus by bike or the Big Blue Bus. A shared two-bedroom apartment in Sawtelle costs between $1,100 and $1,500 per person per month, while a similar unit in Westwood costs between $1,400 and $1,800 or more.

Q: Do most apartments near UCLA include utilities?

A: Not usually in older Westwood buildings or single-family homes that have been turned into apartments. Utilities (or flat-rate utility billing) are more likely to be included in the monthly rent of newer apartment communities and co-living properties near UCLA. Always check what's included before you sign. It can make a big difference in how much the listings really cost.