aerial view of davis

Housing Resources

two girls in a dorm room

For Students

UC Davis Housing

Students have many housing options on campus, including guaranteed housing for first-year and incoming transfer undergrads.

Learn more about on-campus housing
housing with greenery

Living in Town

Off-Campus Housing

Most incoming UC Davis students, scholars and families will need to look for housing off-campus. These resources can help!

Learn more about off-campus housing
hotel sign

Temporary Housing

Short Term Housing

For those who need to arrange for temporary housing for the first few days of your stay or need short-term rentals.

Learn more about short-term housing

Look out for scams! Be wary of paying anything to reserve your housing before you arrive. Be careful about using companies that promise to find you a place to live, but want you to pay in advance. It is best to make sure that the apartment or room actually exists by going to see it in person.

Learn more about avoiding scams

Watch More About Housing at UC Davis

Planning Your Housing Budget

Set a budget with all your monthly expenses so you know how much you can spend on housing. Some areas in Davis, Sacramento and surrounding areas are more expensive than others. Do your research in advance and plan ahead.

Here are some important questions to consider when you start thinking about housing:

  • How much money are you willing to pay monthly for rent?
    • Set a range so you know your limit.
  • What expenses are included in the rent?
    • For example, some rent can include water and garbage. Get to know what is and is not included in that cost.
  • Are you comfortable living with a roommate or roommates?
    • If you are not sharing a living space with someone you know, be sure you know your boundaries, such as number of roommates or living with someone of a different gender.
  • Are you comfortable living in a private home and living with the rules of a private home?
    • If you rent a room from a homeowner, they may have rules about when you can have visitors, use of the kitchen, what kind of food you can cook, how late you can return to the house, etc. Get to know those rules and expectations before you sign a lease.
  • Will you need fully furnished housing or do you plan on buying furniture?
  • Do you need to cook your own food, or are you okay with eating in restaurants and cafeterias?
  • Do you plan on using the bus (public transportation) or a bike to get around?
    • Consider the cost of transportation
    • If you plan on buying a car and driving, consider the cost of gas and parking in your budget.
  • What is the distance from your housing options to campus? 
  • When can you move into your housing?