A double in a standard UC Berkeley residence hall is projected at $17,000 for housing alone in 2026–27, or $23,885 with the Blue & Gold meal plan. Off campus, the University of California’s budget table lists a room in a three-bedroom house at $1,276 a month. This guide sets out the verified figures and what I could not confirm.
Details come from UC Berkeley Housing (rates marked projected) and the UC Office of the President student budget table (March 2026), checked on 21 October 2026. The UC table uses HUD 2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents averaged within five miles of campus, and the university notes actual costs vary considerably.
Berkeley residence hall rates, full academic year, 2026–27 (projected)
| Room type | Housing only | With Blue & Gold meal plan |
|---|---|---|
| Standard single | $19,645 | $26,530 |
| Standard double | $17,000 | $23,885 |
| Standard triple | $13,840 | $20,725 |
| Quad (Clark Kerr only) | $12,370 | $19,255 |
| Mini-suite double (Units 1 and 2) | $19,630 | $26,515 |
| Premium single (Blackwell) | $20,580 | $27,465 |
The Blue & Gold meal plan is $6,885. Residence halls also carry a $110 equipment fee (not at Blackwell), an $85 student experience fee and, for new and transfer students, a one-time $385 fee. Spring-only contracts are half the full-year rate.
University apartments, full academic year, no meal plan
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Channing-Bowditch, triple bedroom | $15,300 |
| Channing-Bowditch, single bedroom | $18,420 |
| Enclave, small double bedroom | $19,470 |
| Enclave, single bedroom | $22,305 |
| Anchor House, single studio | $23,695 |
Typical off-campus costs near Berkeley
| Housing type | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Own room, four-bedroom house | $1,135 |
| Own room, three-bedroom house | $1,276 |
| Own room, two-bedroom house | $1,497 |
| One-bedroom apartment | $2,452 |
| Two-bedroom apartment | $2,994 |
I could not retrieve a current Berkeley rent report, so these budget-table figures are my only off-campus numbers. I have not ranked neighbourhoods or listed private blocks, because I could not verify prices or area details against reliable sources. View any room in person or on a live video call, get a written lease and never pay before you have one. For other California cities, see our guides to San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Cruz, or browse all student accommodation in the United States.
FAQs about student accommodation in Berkeley
How much does Berkeley residence hall housing cost?
Projected 2026–27 housing-only rates run from $12,370 for a Clark Kerr quad to $22,120 for a single suite, and the meal plan adds $6,885.
What does a room in a shared house cost near campus?
The UC budget table lists $1,135 to $1,497 a month, depending on house size.
Sources
- UC Berkeley Housing: housing rates
- UC Office of the President: typical housing costs near UC campuses
All checked 21 October 2026.
