Cheapest Areas for International Students to Live in Los Angeles 2026
Finding the cheapest areas for international students to live in Los Angeles in 2026 requires looking beyond famous neighborhoods such as Westwood, Santa Monica and central Downtown Los Angeles. The biggest savings usually come from choosing a less expensive neighborhood and sharing an apartment with roommates.
Los Angeles’ overall median rent is approximately $2,495 per month in September 2026, with studios around $1,600, one-bedroom units around $2,092 and two-bedroom apartments around $2,800. However, several neighborhoods have median rents below the city average.
For UCLA students, Palms can be a practical lower-cost alternative to Westwood, while students whose campus is farther east or central may find better prices in Koreatown, East Hollywood or East Los Angeles.
Cheapest Areas for International Students to Live in Los Angeles
| Area | September 2026 Rent Indicator | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Koreatown | Median about $1,895 | Central LA students |
| East Los Angeles | Median about $1,900 | Students prioritizing low rent |
| East Hollywood | Median about $1,995 | Central/transit-oriented students |
| Van Nuys | Median about $2,195 | Students willing to commute |
| North Hollywood West | Median about $2,200 | Metro-access commuters |
| Palms | Median about $2,645 | UCLA students seeking savings vs Westwood |
These are current market medians across available rental types, not guaranteed student-room prices. A bedroom in a shared apartment may cost substantially less.
1. Koreatown – One of the Cheapest Central LA Options
Wilshire Center-Koreatown is currently one of the most affordable major neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
As of September 2026, median rent is approximately $1,895 per month, compared with $2,495 citywide.
Koreatown can be attractive to international students because it offers:
- Metro and bus connections.
- Grocery stores and restaurants.
- Dense apartment supply.
- Central access to different parts of Los Angeles.
- Opportunities to share multi-bedroom apartments.
UCLA also lists Koreatown among neighborhoods with transportation connections that students can consider when searching off campus.
Best for
Students who want relatively low rent while remaining in central Los Angeles.
2. East Los Angeles – Lowest-Cost Option Worth Comparing
Students who are willing to live outside the City of Los Angeles proper should also investigate East Los Angeles.
Current September 2026 rental data shows a median rent of approximately $1,900 per month, about $595 below the Los Angeles citywide median.
This area can provide better value, but the commute is crucial. Students attending UCLA may find it too far away, while students studying in Downtown or eastern parts of the metropolitan area may find it more practical.
Best for
Students whose main priority is reducing housing costs and whose campus is accessible by public transportation.
3. East Hollywood – Good Combination of Price and Location
East Hollywood is another relatively affordable central neighborhood.
Its September 2026 median rent is approximately $1,995 per month, down about 4% from the previous year.
Current listings also include multi-bedroom apartments around the low-to-mid $2,000 range, which may provide strong value when divided among roommates.
Advantages
- Central Los Angeles location.
- Metro access in parts of the neighborhood.
- Restaurants and international communities.
- Lower median rent than many Westside neighborhoods.
Best for
Students who need central access but cannot afford Westwood, Santa Monica or other premium areas.
4. Van Nuys – Lower-Cost San Fernando Valley Housing
Van Nuys is worth considering for students comfortable living farther from central Los Angeles.
The September 2026 median rent is approximately $2,195 per month, around $300 below the Los Angeles citywide median.
Van Nuys can offer:
- Larger apartment inventory.
- Potentially better value for multi-bedroom units.
- Bus and regional transportation connections.
- Lower prices than many Westside locations.
Its main disadvantage is commuting. Students should check the trip to campus during weekday rush hour before signing a lease.
5. North Hollywood – Best Lower-Cost Area With Metro Access
Parts of North Hollywood also offer relatively affordable rentals.
Current September 2026 median rents are around:
- North Hollywood West: $2,200/month.
- North Hollywood Northeast: $2,250/month.
One major advantage is access to the Metro B Line from the North Hollywood station, which can make commuting toward Hollywood and Downtown easier.
Best for
Students who want cheaper Valley housing but still value rail access.
For UCLA students, however, the cross-city commute can be long enough to cancel out some of the financial benefit.
6. Palms – Best Budget Alternative for UCLA Students
Palms is not among the absolute cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, but it deserves inclusion because it can provide substantial savings relative to living beside UCLA.
UCLA itself describes Palms as approximately five miles south of campus and states that apartments there are generally more affordable than housing closer to UCLA. Several direct bus routes connect Palms to campus.
In September 2026:
- Palms median rent: approximately $2,645.
- Westwood median rent: approximately $3,398.
That is a difference of roughly $750 per month at the neighborhood-median level.
Students sharing a two-bedroom Palms apartment can reduce the individual cost further.
What About Mar Vista?
UCLA also recommends Mar Vista as an area with affordable housing opportunities for students compared with neighborhoods immediately surrounding campus.
Mar Vista is about four to six miles southwest of UCLA and has several direct or connecting bus routes.
Current September 2026 figures show:
- Studio: around $1,995.
- One bedroom: about $2,395.
- Two bedrooms: approximately $2,995.
For UCLA students sharing a two-bedroom unit, this may provide better value than renting alone in Westwood.
Is Sharing an Apartment the Cheapest Strategy?
For most international students, yes.
Using the Los Angeles citywide average two-bedroom apartment rent of approximately $2,800, two students splitting the unit would pay roughly:
$2,800 ÷ 2 = $1,400 each before utilities.
Three or four students sharing a larger apartment can potentially reduce the per-person cost further.
Roommates can also divide:
- Internet.
- Electricity and gas.
- Furniture.
- Household supplies.
- Streaming and other shared services.
Cheapest Area for UCLA and USC Students
UCLA
For UCLA, prioritize:
- Palms – best combination of relative affordability and direct campus transportation.
- Mar Vista – residential and cheaper than many UCLA-adjacent neighborhoods.
- Koreatown – cheaper rent but significantly longer commute.
UCLA officially identifies Palms and Mar Vista as lower-cost housing areas and provides direct transportation guidance for both.
USC
For USC students, commute time should receive greater weight than simply finding the lowest citywide rent. USC provides private rental resources around North University Park, with listings in the university’s Department of Public Safety patrol zone.
Students can compare those options against Koreatown and other central neighborhoods, but should calculate transportation before choosing.
How to Reduce Los Angeles Student Housing Costs
The strongest strategies are:
- Rent a bedroom rather than a whole apartment.
- Find reliable roommates.
- Avoid premium areas such as Westwood when your budget is limited.
- Compare Koreatown and East Hollywood for central housing.
- Consider Van Nuys or North Hollywood if your commute is manageable.
- For UCLA, compare Palms and Mar Vista.
- Prioritize Metro or direct bus routes.
- Ask whether utilities, parking and furniture are included.
A $200 monthly rent saving is not worthwhile if it adds several hours of commuting every week.
Final Verdict
For international students in 2026:
- Best inexpensive central option: Koreatown.
- Lowest current median among areas compared: Koreatown/East Los Angeles.
- Best lower-cost central alternative: East Hollywood.
- Best Valley budget option: Van Nuys.
- Best budget area with Metro access: North Hollywood.
- Best value option for UCLA: Palms.
- Best overall savings strategy: Shared accommodation.
The goal should be to minimize total housing and transportation costs, not simply find the lowest advertised rent.
Official Sources
- UCLA Housing – Palms, Mar Vista and Areas South of Campus
- USC Housing – Off-Campus Housing Resources
- California Attorney General – Tenant Rights
