When considering your off-campus housing options, it may be wise to start with your personal budget. While the "sticker price" of an off-campus house or apartment may appear to be lower than the cost of living on campus, you may be surprised at how quickly additional expenses add up.

What Can You Afford?

Before signing a lease, you should evaluate your monthly budget, starting with your anticipated income and your expected expenses. Will the property you've selected fit within your budget without placing a significant financial strain on you, your roommates, and/or your parents? If the budget looks too tight for comfort, you may want to take a look at a few other options before signing.

You can find budgeting tips and tools through Miami's Financial Wellness Center.

Off-Campus Costs in Oxford

There is a wide range of costs for rental units and houses in Oxford. The pricing situation is complicated by the fact that many properties charge students rent per semester, rather than per month.

Off-campus apartments often charge a monthly rate per person, while off-campus houses frequently charge a semester rate per person. Be sure to understand the terms and length of the lease as you compare properties. 

Average Utilities Costs in Oxford

According to a survey of off-campus juniors in 2017, here are the major utilities and how often they are included in rent: 

• Gas: included as part of rent in 24.34% of responses
• Electric: included as part of rent in 9.09% of responses
• Water: included as part of rent in 38.42% of responses
• Cable / satellite: included as part of rent in 26.98% of responses
• Internet: included as part of rent in 38.74% of responses