Study In China

Accommodation Guide

On-campus dorms or off-campus apartments — compare your options and see real rental price expectations across Chinese cities.

Your Options

On-campus dorms vs off-campus housing

On-Campus Dorm

Simplest option for new international students. Universities guarantee a dorm bed in your first year — book through the admissions office.

Off-Campus Housing

More space and freedom from your second year. Rent via agents (中介) or apps like Ziroom and Lianjia — bring a Chinese-speaking friend.

Factor
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Cost
$500–1,300 / semester
$200–600 / month
Booking
Arranged by university
Self-sourced via agents/apps
Deposit
Small / none
1–3 months rent + agent fee
Location
On campus, walk to class
Citywide, commute required
Language practice
High (dorm intl. floor)
Lower unless shared with locals
Freedom
Curfew & rules
Full independence
Real Prices

Average monthly rent by city

Shanghai

Tier 1
$350/ month avg

Living: ~$700/mo · Shanghai

Beijing

Tier 1
$320/ month avg

Living: ~$650/mo · Beijing

Dongguan

New Tier 1
$320/ month avg

Living: ~$550/mo · Guangdong

Ningbo

New Tier 1
$310/ month avg

Living: ~$520/mo · Zhejiang

Foshan

New Tier 1
$300/ month avg

Living: ~$520/mo · Guangdong

Wuxi

Tier 2
$290/ month avg

Living: ~$500/mo · Jiangsu

Shenyang

New Tier 1
$300/ month avg

Living: ~$500/mo · Liaoning

Hangzhou

New Tier 1
$250/ month avg

Living: ~$500/mo · Zhejiang

Changsha

New Tier 1
$290/ month avg

Living: ~$500/mo · Hunan

Guangzhou

Tier 1
$350/ month avg

Living: ~$500/mo · Guangdong

Sanya

Tier 2
$300/ month avg

Living: ~$500/mo · Hainan

Harbin

New Tier 1
$280/ month avg

Living: ~$480/mo · Heilongjiang

Hefei

New Tier 1
$280/ month avg

Living: ~$480/mo · Anhui

Shenzhen

New Tier 1
$320/ month avg

Living: ~$480/mo · Guangdong

Fuzhou

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$470/mo · Fujian

Jinan

New Tier 1
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$470/mo · Shandong

Zhengzhou

New Tier 1
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$460/mo · Henan

Shenyang University Town

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Liaoning

Wuxi Central District

Tier 2
$261/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Jiangsu

Shenyang South District

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Liaoning

Shenyang North District

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Liaoning

Sanya New District

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Hainan

Wuxi New District

Tier 2
$261/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Jiangsu

Shenyang East District

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Liaoning

Shenyang West District

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Liaoning

Sanya Old Town District

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Hainan

Shenyang Coastal District

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Liaoning

Shenyang Riverside District

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Liaoning

Sanya High-Tech Zone

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Hainan

Sanya Central District

Tier 2
$270/ month avg

Living: ~$450/mo · Hainan

Off-campus studio: tier-1 cities ~$300–600/mo, tier-2 ~$150–350/mo. Shared apartments reduce cost by ~30%.

Tips

Before you sign a lease

Verify ownership

Ask the landlord for their ID and property ownership certificate before paying.

Negotiate deposit

Standard is "押一付三" — 1 month deposit + 3 months rent upfront. Negotiate where possible.

Register your address

Within 24h of moving, register at the local police station — required for your residence permit.

Check utility terms

Confirm water, electricity, gas and internet are included or priced clearly in the contract.

Need help finding housing?

We help students book dorms and trusted off-campus apartments before they arrive.