About Minneapolis - MN
Minneapolis is located in Minnesota and is one of this state’s most popular destinations for students. Here is a breakdown of the proportion of international students by level of study in Minneapolis - MN:
Total number of international students: 9,890
Undergraduate: 4,120
Postgraduate and Research: 5,770
Minneapolis - MN, has a percentage of 10.9% of international students (approx.), which is above the USA’s national average. The city is home to the University of Minnesota, which, according to the QS World Rankings of 2024, ranks #58th worldwide.
Popular Student Areas in Minneapolis - MN
Popular Minneapolis - MN areas amongst university students are Dinkytown/Como, Uptown, Northeast Minneapolis, and Seward. There are a few things to remember while searching for the perfect student area to stay in, including transportation, cost, and amenities.
1. Students living in Dinkytown/Como will be near the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and purpose-built student apartments would cost around$700-$1,200/month.
Travel time from Dinkytown/Como to Minneapolis - MN Downtown, by different modes of transportation:
Bus - 10-15 minutes
Taxi - 5-10 minutes
Walking - 20-30 minutes
2. Students living in Uptown will be near the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (West Bank), and purpose-built student apartments would cost around US$800-$1,500/month.
Travel time from Uptown to Minneapolis - MN Downtown by different modes of transportation:
Bus - 15-20 minutes
Taxi - 7-12 minutes
Walking - 30-40 minutes
3. Students living in Northeast Minneapolis will be near the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (East Bank), and purpose-built student apartments would cost around $650-$1,000/month.
Travel time from Northeast Minneapolis to Minneapolis - MN Downtown by different modes of transportation:
Bus - 20-25 minutes
Taxi - 10-15 minutes
Walking - 45-60 minutes
4. Students living in Seward will be near Augsburg University-Minneapolis, and purpose-built student apartments would cost around US$550-$900/month.
Travel time from Seward to Minneapolis - MN Downtown by different modes of transportation:
Bus - 25-30 minutes
Taxi - 15-20 minutes
Walking - 60-90 minutes
Best Student Off-Campus Housings in Minneapolis - MN
Minneapolis - MN has a variety of student room options, and students can explore different areas of the city in proximity to their universities and budgets.
Popular student Off-Campus Housing in Minneapolis - MN that provides almost every room type are Yugo Minneapolis 412 Lofts, Yugo Minneapolis Sydney Hall, and The Edge on Oak.
Discover Student Room Types in Minneapolis - MN
The purpose-built student housing in Minneapolis - MN, typically includes various amenities in the bills; it varies according to the provider's terms and conditions. But broadly, we suggest a student should consider budget, needs, and preferences while making decisions.
Here, we have categorised the room types below based on preferences and budgets to help you decide.
Type 1: Affordable off-campus student housing in Minneapolis - MN:
These cost around US$200-$600/month on average and are recommended for students who are comfortable sharing space. Typically, such properties are houses or apartments. All mentioned for shared accommodations are per person.
Shared room
Amenities: Self-contained apartment with multiple bedrooms, shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Dinkytown/Como avg. Rent: $450-$700/month
Uptown avg. Rent: $500-$800/month
Northeast Minneapolis avg. Rent: $400-$650/month
Seward avg. Rent: $350-$550/month
Triple/ Quadruple rooms
Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Dinkytown/Como avg. Rent: $300-$550/month
Uptown avg. Rent: $350-$600/month
Northeast Minneapolis avg. Rent: $300-$500//month
Seward avg. Rent: $200-$450/month
Entire place
Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Dinkytown/Como avg. Rent: $600-$900/month
Uptown avg. Rent: $700-$1,000/month
Northeast Minneapolis avg. Rent: $550-$850/month
Seward avg. Rent: $500-$750/month
Type 2: Affordable off-campus student apartments in Minneapolis - MN with privacy: These rooms cost around US$400 – US$$700/month
Single Room
Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Dinkytown/Como avg. Rent: $450-$700/month
Uptown avg. Rent: $500-$800/month
Northeast Minneapolis avg. Rent: $400-$650/month
Seward avg. Rent: $350-$550/month
Single room options include Yugo Minneapolis Sydney Hall and The Edge on Oak.
Flatshare
Amenities: Private Bedroom in a shared house or flat, shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Dinkytown/Como avg. Rent: $400-$600/month
Uptown avg. Rent: $450-$700/month
Northeast Minneapolis avg. Rent: $350-$550/month
Seward avg. Rent: $300-$450/month
Double Rooms
Amenities: One bedroom with double bed, shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Dinkytown/Como avg. Rent: $450-$750/month
Uptown avg. Rent: $500-$800/month
Northeast Minneapolis avg. Rent: $400-$650/month
Seward avg. Rent: $350-$500/month
Room Type 3: Minneapolis - MN Off-campus student rooms with privacy, quiet space, and near the Downtown cost around US$700-$1,500 (on average)/month.
Student Flats
Amenities: Private bedroom, private bathroom, private kitchen
Dinkytown/Como avg. Rent: $800-$1,200/month
Uptown avg. Rent: $900-$1,400/month
Northeast Minneapolis avg. Rent: $700-$1,000/month
Seward avg. Rent: $600-$900/month
Student flat options include
Yugo Minneapolis 412 Lofts, Yugo Minneapolis Sydney Hall, and The Edge on Oak.
Student En-Suite Rooms
Amenities: Single bedroom, Private bathroom, shared kitchen
Dinkytown/Como avg. Rent: $900-$1,300/month
Uptown avg. Rent: $1,000-$1,500/month
Northeast Minneapolis avg. Rent: $800-$1,100/month
Seward avg. Rent $700-$1,000/month
Student en-suite room options include Yugo Minneapolis 412 Lofts, Yugo Minneapolis Sydney Hall, and The Edge on Oak.
Student Studios
Amenities: private bedroom, Private bathroom, private kitchen
Dinkytown/Como avg. Rent: $900-$1,300/month
Uptown avg. Rent: $1,000-$1,500/month
Northeast Minneapolis avg. Rent: $800-$1,100/month
Seward avg. Rent: $700-$1,000/month
Student studio options include Yugo Minneapolis 412 Lofts, Yugo Minneapolis Sydney Hall, and The Edge on Oak.
Room Type 4: Students who prefer amenities over budget
Student penthouses in Minneapolis - MN cost around $1,500-$5,000/month.
These are suitable for students who prefer to have private bedrooms, a private balcony, a terrace, privacy, spacious rooms, and a top floor that is more over budget.
Cost of Living in Minneapolis - MN for Students
It varies depending on students’ lifestyle choices, but overall, keeping your Minneapolis - MN, student housing rent apart, additional expenses are estimated to be around $530 - $2,800. We have curated a list of such necessary items along with some tips to help you reduce the cost of living in Minneapolis - MN as a student:
Food Expenses: $300-$400 /month on average.
We suggest buying groceries that cost around US$250/month and cooking your own meals.
Shop from grocery stores that offer student discounts on grocery items.
Hy-Vee: This local grocery store is located in Minneapolis - MN, and it runs weekly sales and student discounts. You can set yourself a monthly budget there, of $120-$150/month.
Aldi: The store is available in Minneapolis - MN and is popular for rock-bottom prices on grocery items. You can expect to spend US$75-US$100 per month there.
Walmart: The store is available in Minneapolis - MN, and offers a student-focused Walmart Student programme for free shipping on grocery orders over US$35 and access to exclusive discounts. You can set a US$50-US$75 budget there for specific items.
Cub Foods: This is a local brand with affordable private-label products. There, you can set yourself a budget of $75-$125/month.
Transportation Expenses: $30-$95/month on average. Tips to save some money on daily transportation in Minneapolis - MN, while living as a college student. According to your preferences and the university's distance from your residence, you may choose whichever option suits you.
Rent Bicycles: A few companies offer students docked bike sharing and dockless bike sharing at discounted prices. The most popular are BCycle (dockless) for $44/year and Nice Ride (docked) for $30/year, which offer student discounts.
Buses & Metro Passes: Metro Transit offers a U-Pass for unlimited bus and light-rail travel for students for $95/semester.
Trains: Amtrak Intercity trains connect major cities across the country and can be a good option for weekend tours. It offers student discounts for people aged between 12-25 years. Amtrak also has discounts on weekend trips.
Ridesharing: As an alternative to taxis, companies like Uber and Lyft offer student discounts. Just ensure that their services are available in Minneapolis - MN
Carpooling: University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Metro Transit Carpool both offer carpooling services.
Electric Scooters: These are a flexible option for short trips within the city. Many companies, such as Bird or Lime, offer electric scooter-sharing services in Minneapolis - MN.
Kitchen Essentials: cost you between$50-$150. However, it depends on your student room, regardless of whether on-campus and off-campus apartments include kitchen essentials in the rent or not. Checking the property page you are interested in is recommended. Costs may vary according to the city.
Basic cookware set (pots, pans, skillet): $25-$50
Utensils (spatulas, spoons, forks, knives):$10-$20
Plates, bowls, mugs: $5-$15 per person
Cutting board, knives: $15-$30
Small appliances (microwave, toaster, coffee maker): $75-$180 (for all of these items combined)
Tips for international students to save money on Kitchen essentials
Thrift stores and consignment shops
Reuse utensils of former students leaving the city. Join international student groups or ask your friends for someone who is ready to give away their utensils or lend them to you.
Online marketplaces are helpful for buying items at affordable prices and second-hand items. Checking the item personally is recommended.
Check if your university has any college campus rental programmes for kitchen utensils.
Search for appliance rental companies nearby in the city to rent out kitchen essentials.
Cook in groups: If you are a group of students moving together, divide the selected rental utensil bill with them. It will reduce the cost way more than expected.
Bedding, Bathroom, and Cleaning Essentials: approximately cost you around $75 and $500.
Bedding Essentials would cost you approximately $75-$200
including
Mattress and box spring: $150-$500 (Some properties already include it in rent; checking before buying yourself is recommended.)
Comforter: $20-$50 (Some properties already include it in rent; checking before buying yourself is recommended.)
Sheets: $10-$30
Pillows: $5-$10
Blanket: $10-$20
Bathroom Essentials would cost you approximately US$50–US$150
Including
Toothbrush: $2-$5
Toothpaste:$2-$5
Bar soap: $1-$3
Body wash: $3-$10
Shampoo and conditioner: $5-$15
Razor:$5-$10
Shaving cream: $2-$5
Towel: $2-$5
Cleaning Essentials would cost you approximately US$40–US$75.
Including the items shared below. Generally, cleaning essentials are required for living in studio apartments and private rooms.
Dish soap: $1-$2 (Concentrated formulas)
Sponges: $1-$3
Trash bags: $3-$5 for a large roll
Laundry detergent: $5-$10 (Arm & Hammer or Seventh Generation detergents)
Cleaning wipes: $2-$5 for a pack
All-purpose cleaner: $3-$5
Toilet bowl cleaner: $2-$3
Mop and bucket: $5-$10
Tips for international students to save money on Bedding & Bathroom essentials
Shop during sales, promotions on special occasions
Buy in bulk from the stores that offer student discounts.
Reuse the bedding essentials of former students leaving the city. Join international student groups or ask your friends for someone who is ready to give away their bedding essentials.
