The cheapest route to a bed in Riyadh is usually your own university’s housing, and Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University says it is open to Saudi and international students. Neither it nor King Saud University publishes rent on the pages I could reach, so any “cheap” price you see online needs checking against the university.
Details come from the Imam University and King Saud University websites and Ejar, the Saudi government’s rental platform, checked on 30 October 2026. I have not quoted rents or named neighbourhoods, because I could not verify current prices or availability against reliable sources.
Start with university housing
Imam University’s housing office lists these conditions for Saudi and international students:
- You are regularly enrolled at the university.
- You are free from infectious diseases.
- You have no previously terminated housing contract for security, ethical or public-interest reasons.
- You do not live in Riyadh, although exceptions can be made case by case.
- You complete the required documents and forms.
Residents pay rent and an insurance deposit, except students on external scholarships at the university. Saudi students apply through the Student Support Services Portal; the page does not explain the steps for international students, so ask the housing office. King Saud University’s English housing page covers faculty housing only, so contact its international students office. See our Riyadh student accommodation guide for the full detail.
If you rent privately
Rent is only part of the cost, so compare the whole bill before you sign.
- Total monthly cost: ask whether electricity, water, internet and any service charges are included.
- Deposit and payment terms: get the amount, what it covers and when it is returned in writing. Be wary of anyone demanding a full year up front before you have seen the room.
- Contract: ask whether the lease is registered on Ejar. The platform’s service covers residential contracts, and a registered lease gives you an official record. Have the terms translated if they are only in Arabic.
- Sharing: a shared room usually costs less than a private one, but check who else will live there and any house rules.
- Distance: work out the commute to your campus, because transport can cancel out a lower rent.
View any room in person or on a live video call, and never pay before you have a written contract.
FAQs about cheap student accommodation in Riyadh
How much does student housing cost in Riyadh?
The official university pages I checked list no amounts. Imam University says residents pay rent and an insurance deposit, with an exemption for students on external scholarships. Ask the housing office for the current figure.
Can international students live in university housing?
Imam University’s page says yes, if they meet its conditions, including regular enrolment and living outside Riyadh.
What is Ejar?
It is the Saudi government’s platform for documenting rental contracts, covering residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial leases.
Sources
- Ejar: rental contract documentation service
- Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University: student housing page
- King Saud University: housing page
All checked 30 October 2026.
