How much does it cost to live in Los Angeles as a student?

The cost of living in Los Angeles can be high, but there are affordable options for students. Sharing a flat or living in university residences can cost between USD $800 and USD $1,500 per month. Food costs can be USD $300 to USD $500 per month, and public transportation is affordable if you use monthly passes that you can get with the tap card.

What’s student life like in Los Angeles?

It’s multicultural and lively, accompanied by high academic quality. Universities offer many extracurricular activities such as student clubs and sporting events. In addition, you find varied entertainment options, from festivals to outdoor activities in its beautiful parks and beaches.

What are the best areas to live in Los Angeles as a student?

There are several ideal areas to live as a student in LA. Some are Westwood (UCLA location, with an academic and cultural atmosphere), University Park (home of USC, with a variety of activities for students), Downtown LA (provides easy access to transportation and cultural events), and Santa Monica (perfect area for beach lovers, with its famous coast and various entertainment options).

How to study in Los Angeles?

To study in Los Angeles, you need to choose an institution and a program or course that suits your interests. Make sure you meet the admission requirements, have all the necessary documents and apply for a student visa to reside in the United States. You can also investigate scholarship or funding options that may be available for international students.

Where to study in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is home to a number of renowned institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Southern California (USC), which are two of the most prestigious. There are also many English schools and centres if you are looking to improve your use of the language.

Studying in Los Angeles

Information and tips for international students in Los Angeles


Private rooms Los Angeles	247	1870/month
Residences Los Angeles	62	3190/month
Apartments Los Angeles	158	4803/month

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If you like the sun, the beach, and the iconic state of California, home to many celebrities, then Los Angeles may be an attractive destination for you! In the second largest city in the United States, and one of the most diverse in the world, you’ll enjoy great academic quality, combined with cultural wealth and a lively student life full of entertainment opportunities. Do you want to know other reasons to study in Los Angeles? We tell you everything you need in this article. Let 's start!

Cost of living in Los Angeles, United States

Being a luxurious city, the cost of living in Los Angeles can be high, but there are affordable options for students.

Accommodation is the biggest expense you’ll have. Sharing a flat or living in university residences is a common option among the youngest, and it can cost between USD $800 and USD $1,500 per month. This will depend on the location and amenities of each one. Full one-bedroom apartments typically range from $1,500 to $2,500 per month.

You also have to add other expenses. For example, food can cost from USD $300 to USD $500 per month. Additionally, public transportation is an affordable option to move in this big city, with monthly passes that you can get with the tap card.

Student life, parties, and leisure in Los Angeles

Los Angeles offers an unmatched nightlife and options for parties and leisure. Hollywood is famous for its nightclubs and trendy bars like Avalon and The Roxy. Downtown has popular places like The Edison and Exchange LA, which are ideal for a night out. Besides, Santa Monica offers beachfront bars, with a relaxed atmosphere, in places like The Bungalow. West Hollywood is known for its inclusive and lively atmosphere, with clubs such as The Abbey and Micky’s. Lastly, live music lovers can enjoy concerts in The Troubadour and The Greek Theatre.

Culture and gastronomy in Los Angeles

LA is a cultural epicentre, rich in arts, music and entertainment. The Getty Center and the LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), which stand out for their impressive collections, are two places that you can’t miss in the city if you are an art lover. And, if you want to get out of the ordinary, you have to go up The Box, a gallery known for its innovative and experimental exhibitions of both emerging and established contemporary artists.

In the musical field, you can enjoy high quality concerts if you visit the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. But our favourite place is the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame which, although more touristy, is a cultural icon where you can see the stars of your favourite celebrities. The photos here and on the Hollywood sign cannot be missed!

California is famous for culinary diversity that mixes Mexican and Spanish cuisines. In LA you can try Mexican tacos and burritos, but with local products. Even so, thanks to the region's multiculturalism, you can find cuisines from all over the world. Some of the most famous dishes are “french dip sandwich” (sandwich stuffed with slow-cooked beef, with pepper, onion and cheese), the "cobb salad” (lettuce, avocado, blue cheese, tomato, grilled chicken and crispy bacon, with Greek yoghurt sauce) and, our favourite, the “California roll” (a type of sushi with the rice on the outside and the ingredients on the inside, which usually contains crab, avocado, cucumber and mayonnaise). Depending on the neighbourhood you go to, you find a different cuisine. For example, you can taste the typical glazed dish in Chinatown, and excellent sushi at Little Tokyo. If you’re looking for new flavours gathered in one place, this city is for you!

Advantages of studying in Los Angeles, United States

You’ll have high educational quality, since it’s home to some excellent universities. such as the University of California (UCLA) or the University of Southern California (USC).
Student life here is full of extracurricular activities with student clubs or sporting events.
The nights light up to the rhythm of the music from bars and clubs that populate the city.
The warm and sunny climate allows you to enjoy outdoor activities all year round. The crystalline beaches, like Santa Monica, can be a perfect setting for relaxing or practising water sports.
Living in LA means studying surrounded by large green spaces, palm trees and contemporary architectural constructions.
It's a multicultural centre, so the experiences here are very varied and the opportunities to meet people from many parts of the world are never lacking. A stay in Los Angeles is anything but boring!

Cheap student accommodation in Los Angeles

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Are you looking for accommodation in Los Angeles but you're not sure how to get it? You can use our Erasmus Play search engine to compare different options, all of them verified and secure, to make the process easier for you.

Frequently asked questions about studying in Los Angeles

How much does it cost to live in Los Angeles as a student?
The cost of living in Los Angeles can be high, but there are affordable options for students. Sharing a flat or living in university residences can cost between USD $800 and USD $1,500 per month. Food costs can be USD $300 to USD $500 per month, and public transportation is affordable if you use monthly passes that you can get with the tap card.
What’s student life like in Los Angeles?
It’s multicultural and lively, accompanied by high academic quality. Universities offer many extracurricular activities such as student clubs and sporting events. In addition, you find varied entertainment options, from festivals to outdoor activities in its beautiful parks and beaches.
What are the best areas to live in Los Angeles as a student?
There are several ideal areas to live as a student in LA. Some are Westwood (UCLA location, with an academic and cultural atmosphere), University Park (home of USC, with a variety of activities for students), Downtown LA (provides easy access to transportation and cultural events), and Santa Monica (perfect area for beach lovers, with its famous coast and various entertainment options).
How to study in Los Angeles?
To study in Los Angeles, you need to choose an institution and a program or course that suits your interests. Make sure you meet the admission requirements, have all the necessary documents and apply for a student visa to reside in the United States. You can also investigate scholarship or funding options that may be available for international students.
Where to study in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is home to a number of renowned institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Southern California (USC), which are two of the most prestigious. There are also many English schools and centres if you are looking to improve your use of the language.