Student housing in Gainesville starts with the University of Florida (UF) residence halls, which cost $3,319 to $6,176 per semester in 2026–27, depending on the room type. That is roughly $6,638 to $12,352 for fall and spring together, by my own doubling of UF’s per-semester rates. A traditional double costs $3,929 a semester, and UF’s 2027–28 rates are about 10.5% higher across the board. If you rent privately instead, Apartment List puts Gainesville’s overall median rent at $1,151 a month in October 2026, down 0.7% on a year earlier.
Hall rates come from UF Housing and Residence Life, and the rent figure from Apartment List, all checked on 9 November 2026. UF’s rates page lists both years and carries no “last updated” date. I could not verify UF’s meal plan rules, the application fee or the deposit, so I have not quoted them.
Cost at a glance: what to add up
Before you compare the prices on this page, check what each figure actually covers:
- Rent period: per week, month or semester, and per person or per room.
- What is included: utilities, internet, contents insurance and any meal plan.
- One-off costs: deposit, application or booking fee, and any first-month payment.
- Getting to campus: travel passes, or the extra cost of living further out.
- Currency: prices here are in the local currency. Convert them at your bank’s current rate and add the transfer fee. Rates change daily, so we do not publish rupee figures.
Anything we could not confirm from an official source is flagged on this page as “could not verify”, so read those notes before you rely on a figure.
UF residence hall rates, 2026–27 and 2027–28
UF quotes rates per term, billed semester by semester, and lists no annual totals. The table groups halls that share a price. The figures are for the fall and spring semesters, and summer terms are priced separately on UF’s page.
| Room type and halls | 2026–27, per semester | 2027–28, per semester |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional quad: Thomas | $3,319 | $3,667 |
| Traditional triple: Broward, Buckman, East, Jennings, North, Riker, Sledd, Thomas, Tolbert | $3,465 | $3,829 |
| Traditional triple: Murphree | $3,642 | $4,024 |
| Traditional double: Broward, Buckman, East, Fletcher, Jennings, Mallory, North, Rawlings, Reid, Riker, Sledd, Thomas, Tolbert, Weaver, Yulee | $3,929 | $4,342 |
| Suite double: Rawlings | $4,066 | $4,493 |
| Traditional single: Broward, Buckman, Fletcher, Jennings, Mallory, North, Reid, Riker, Sledd, Thomas, Tolbert, Weaver, Yulee | $4,161 | $4,598 |
| Traditional double: Murphree | $4,177 | $4,616 |
| Apartment double: Beaty Towers, Lakeside | $4,222 | $4,665 |
| Large traditional single, double or triple: Fletcher, Murphree, Sledd (large types vary by hall) | $4,510 | $4,984 |
| Suite double: Springs Complex | $4,540 | $5,017 |
| Apartment single: Keys Complex | $4,709 | $5,203 |
| Suite single: Springs Complex | $4,871 | $5,382 |
| Apartment single: Lakeside | $5,086 | $5,620 |
| Suite double: Cypress, Hume; traditional double: Honors Village | $5,304 | $5,861 |
| Suite double: Infinity | $5,534 | $6,115 |
| Suite single: Cypress, Hume; traditional single: Honors Village | $5,614 | $6,203 |
| Suite double: Honors Village | $5,835 | $6,448 |
| Suite single: Infinity | $5,858 | $6,473 |
| Suite single: Honors Village | $6,176 | $6,824 |
The cheapest option is the Thomas Hall quad, and the dearest is an Honors Village suite single. Infinity also has a large suite double at $5,698 (2026–27) and $6,296 (2027–28). UF’s page lists no meal plans, and it mentions a $50 fee for each lock-out after the second in a semester. Graduate and family housing has its own rate page, which I did not check.
Applying for UF housing
UF’s housing pages say housing is not reserved for first-year students, and I found no statement that first-years must live on campus. These are the rules UF published for the 2026 first-year cycle, the latest I could find.
- Deadline: the Student Housing Agreement and housing accommodations are due on or before 1 May.
- Waitlist: if capacity is reached before 1 May, UF opens a waitlist and sends agreements in priority order as spaces free up.
- Apply early: room-selection appointment times depend on when you complete the housing application.
- Honors Village: students accepted to the Honors Program who sign by 1 April are guaranteed a space there.
- What the agreement guarantees: a space in a residence hall, but not a particular building, room type or rate.
- 2026 timeline: room selection in mid-May (Summer B) and late May (Fall), assignments in June, and move-in on 15–16 August.
UF Housing can be reached on 352-392-2161 or at ContactHousing@ufsa.ufl.edu, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Private rental in Gainesville
| Measure (October 2026, Apartment List) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Overall median rent | $1,151 a month |
| Change over 12 months | Down 0.7% |
That median covers every unit type, so it is not a price for a single room. I have no verified one-bedroom or two-bedroom figure, and I have not ranked neighbourhoods or listed private blocks, because I could not check their prices or details against reliable sources.
Florida security deposit rules
These come from section 83.49 of the Florida Statutes (2025 edition).
- No claim: the landlord must return the deposit, plus any required interest, within 15 days of the rental agreement ending.
- Claim on the deposit: the landlord must send written notice, with reasons, within 30 days of the agreement ending. A landlord who misses that deadline loses the right to deduct from the deposit.
- Your response: object in writing within 15 days of receiving the notice. If you do not, the landlord may deduct the claim, though you can still seek damages in a separate action.
- Where it is held: in a separate Florida account or under a surety bond. Within 30 days the landlord must tell you which, unless they rent fewer than five units.
I did not find a statutory cap on the deposit amount, so I have not stated one. The FTC’s rental-scam warning signs are rent far below the local level, an owner who cannot meet you or show the property, pressure to decide quickly, and requests for wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency. View any room in person or send someone you trust, get a written lease and never pay before you have one. Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Getting around Gainesville
Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) says UF students, faculty, staff and retirees ride all fixed routes free. You need the Gator 1 ID (app or card) on city routes, and affiliate cards are not valid. The free ride does not cover special services such as Gator Aider. Everyone else pays $1.50 a single ride, $3.00 for a 24-hour pass or $35 for a monthly pass. That makes a bus route a real factor when comparing off-campus rent against hall prices.
What I could not verify
I found no UF application fee, deposit amount or meal plan requirement, and no 2027–28 application dates. UF’s rates page carries no update date. Apartment List gave only an overall median, so I have no private rent figure by bedroom count or area. I did not check graduate and family housing rates, and I read the Florida statute’s wording but not any case law on it.
Talk to us about your budget and city
Not sure which option suits you or your family? Send us your city, budget and room type, and we will point you to the right guide and the next steps to check. Students and parents are both welcome to ask.
Frequently asked questions
How much do University of Florida dorms cost?
UF halls cost $3,319 to $6,176 per semester in 2026–27, depending on room type. A traditional double is $3,929 a semester, which is $7,858 for fall and spring by my doubling of UF’s figure.
How do I apply for freshman housing at UF?
Apply through UF Housing and sign the Student Housing Agreement. For the 2026 cycle the deadline was 1 May, and applying early gives you an earlier room-selection time. Check UF Housing for the 2027 dates.
Is UF housing guaranteed?
Not in a way I could verify. The agreement secures a space in a hall but not a specific building, room type or rate, and a waitlist starts if capacity is reached before 1 May.
What is the median rent in Gainesville?
$1,151 a month overall in October 2026, according to Apartment List. It covers all unit types, not single rooms.
When must a Gainesville landlord return a security deposit?
Within 15 days of the agreement ending if there is no claim. If the landlord wants to deduct, they must give written notice within 30 days, and you have 15 days from receiving it to object in writing.
Do UF students ride the bus for free?
Yes, on all RTS fixed routes, using the Gator 1 ID on city routes. Special services such as Gator Aider are not covered.
Comparing Florida options? See our guides to student accommodation in Orlando, Tampa and Miami, or browse all US student accommodation guides.
Sources
- UF Housing: residence hall rental rates, 2026–27 and 2027–28
- UF Housing: first-year student application
- UF Housing: incoming students
- UF Housing: living options
- Gainesville RTS: fares and passes
- Florida Statutes 2025, section 83.49: security deposits
- Apartment List: Gainesville rent report (October 2026)
- FTC: rental listing scams
All checked 9 November 2026.
