City Guides
Melbourne Student Suburbs 2026: Cheap Rent Near Each Uni
Honest rent prices for international students in Melbourne 2026 — cheapest suburbs near University of Melbourne, Monash, RMIT, La Trobe, Deakin, and Swinburne.
Published 2026-05-18 · 10 min read
Melbourne is Australia's most popular student city — over 180,000 international students live here. It's also 20–30% cheaper than Sydney for rent. Here's where to actually live in 2026.
Average Student Rent in Melbourne (2026)
| Accommodation type | Weekly rent |
|---|---|
| Room in a sharehouse (outer suburbs) | $200–$280 |
| Room in a sharehouse (inner suburbs) | $280–$420 |
| Studio apartment | $440–$650 |
| 1-bedroom apartment (CBD/inner) | $520–$780 |
| Student accommodation (UniLodge, Scape) | $400–$650 |
Add $50–$80/week for utilities + internet if not included.
By University
University of Melbourne (Parkville)
- Carlton: walking distance, $320–$480 — most popular for students
- Brunswick: 1 tram ride away, $260–$380 — hipster cafes, Sydney Road
- North Melbourne: 15 min walk, $290–$420
- Footscray: $230–$340 — cheap, diverse, 10 min by train
- Budget pick: Coburg ($230–$320)
Monash University (Clayton)
- Clayton: 5 min walk, $250–$380 — huge international community
- Notting Hill: 10 min walk, $230–$340
- Mount Waverley: $260–$400
- Oakleigh: $250–$370 — Greek community, great food
- Budget pick: Springvale ($210–$320)
RMIT (Melbourne CBD)
- Carlton: walkable, $320–$480
- Fitzroy / Collingwood: $340–$520 — nightlife, art scene
- Brunswick: $260–$380
- North Melbourne: $290–$420
- Docklands: $400–$600 — modern apartments, quiet
La Trobe University (Bundoora)
- Bundoora: $220–$340, walkable
- Reservoir: $230–$340
- Preston: $250–$370
- Budget pick: Thomastown ($200–$300)
Deakin University (Burwood)
- Burwood: $230–$360
- Box Hill: $250–$370 — big Asian community
- Ashburton: $260–$380
- Budget pick: Glen Waverley ($240–$360)
Swinburne (Hawthorn)
- Hawthorn: $290–$420
- Camberwell: $310–$450
- Glenferrie: walking distance, $300–$440
- Budget pick: Box Hill ($250–$370)
Public Transport — Myki Card
International students pay adult fares (no concession in most cases). The good news:
- Daily cap: $11 weekdays / $7.20 weekends
- Free Tram Zone covers the CBD — never pay for trams in city
- Off-peak fares (after 9:30am weekdays): 30% off
Estimated Total Monthly Budget (Melbourne, 2026)
| Expense | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Rent | $1,050–$1,700 |
| Groceries | $400–$550 |
| Public transport | $200–$320 |
| Phone + internet | $50–$80 |
| Utilities (if separate) | $80–$160 |
| Eating out, social | $150–$400 |
| OSHC | $60–$85 |
| Total | $1,990–$3,295 |
That's roughly $24,000–$40,000/year in living costs.
Use the Cost of Living Calculator
For your exact monthly figure based on your suburb and lifestyle, try our Cost of Living Calculator.
Related Guides
- Sydney Student Guide
- Best Cities Australia for International Students
- How to find a sharehouse without getting scammed
Updated 18 May 2026 with current rents from Flatmates.com.au and Domain.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest suburb in Melbourne for students?
Thomastown, Coburg, Springvale, Footscray, and Reservoir all offer rooms in sharehouses from $200–$320/week, with good public transport to most universities.
How much rent do international students pay in Melbourne in 2026?
A room in a Melbourne sharehouse costs $200–$280/week in outer suburbs and $280–$420/week in inner suburbs. Studio apartments are $440–$650/week.
Is Melbourne cheaper than Sydney for students?
Yes — Melbourne is roughly 20–30% cheaper than Sydney for rent. A typical Melbourne student spends $24,000–$40,000/year on living, vs $32,000–$45,000 in Sydney.
Do international students get concession Myki in Melbourne?
Most international students do not qualify for concession Myki in Victoria, but daily fare caps and the Free Tram Zone in the CBD keep transport affordable.