Austin's average studio runs over $1,500/mo without food or bills. At College Houses, we bundle private or shared bedrooms, utilities, reliable Wi-Fi, and daily member-cooked meals into one predictable rate starting at $695/mo. Semester leases available.
College Houses isn’t just a place to live—it’s an intentional cooperative community where students save thousands, eat great food, and democratically run their own homes.
Prices & Terms Made for Students
No surprise electricity bills in August, no extra grocery charges, and reliable Wi-Fi. Everything is bundled into one flat rate so budgeting during college is stress-free.
100% fixed, transparent ratesFrom $695/mo
Be Part of a Real Community
Eat hot member-cooked dinners together after class, study in quiet common lounges, and form lifelong friendships with a diverse crew across every major, year, and background.
17 home-cooked meals / week+ 24/7 Pantry
Real Democratic Self-Governance
Members vote on house budgets, elect officers, and cooperatively run their own home. It looks fantastic on a résumé, and it’s a hands-on way to develop lifelong skills.
Student-governed nonprofitSince 1968
★★★★★Google Review•Actual Student Member Review
"I lived in Laurel House for two summer internships in 2015 and 2016 and I will say it was a great housing experience. The community was fantastic and I have always recommended people to live there and they have had great experiences as well. The community is what you make it. You get out of it what you put into it. I thought it was fair when it came to cooking, cleaning, etc. I highly recommend people consider Laurel house, even go check it out if you have questions and want more info. Definitely worth checking it out. 👍"
Located directly across Guadalupe St from UT, Taos features a 4th-floor sun deck overlooking campus, member-cooked dinners, and lively community events.
Shared Bedroom
$695 / mo
Private Bedroom
$1080 / mo
Flat-rate: rent, Wi-Fi, bills & meals included
Standout Features
Across the street from UT (1 minute walk to campus!)
Sun deck overlooking Guadalupe St with panoramic views
17+ home-cooked meals every week by member cooks
Across the Street from UTRooftop Sun DeckAcademic & StudyHome-Cooked Meals
Located at 1906 Pearl St, Opsis is reserved exclusively for graduate students, offering a peaceful, supportive household with a communal kitchen and genuine cooperative governance.
Private Bedroom
$925 / mo
Flat-rate: rent, Wi-Fi, bills & amenities included
Standout Features
Reserved exclusively for graduate students
Quiet, scholarly environment with fellow researchers and professionals
Short stroll to UT campus, Central Office, and West Campus amenities
Graduate Students OnlyPeaceful & StudiousCommunal KitchenDemocratic Living
See the real all-inclusive math compared to Austin apartments, or take our 60-second quiz to discover which of our 6 houses best matches your personality.
Question 1 of 40% Completed
It's A Match!
Taos Co-op
Art-filled, social & storied West Campus landmark
Why this house fits you:
You value an artistic community, member-cooked meals, and taking in the sunset from the 4th-floor sun deck.
From weekly shared dinners and simple house shifts, to democratic ownership and complete peace of mind for families. Explore the pillars of our cooperative model.
An Organized System of Member Shifts
Members contribute a fixed amount of time each week to shifts for services like meal planning and preparation, house cleaning, and simple maintenance through an organized, democratic system. Because we do not rely on expensive outside management companies, our rates stay radically affordable.
How shifts work in practice:
Fixed weekly shift commitment scheduled around your college courses
Rotations for food prep, pantry inventory, common area upkeep, or minor repairs
Accountability tracked through an organized, member-managed system
Teaches practical home stewardship, teamwork, and reliable habits
Total Privacy Whenever You Need It
A common myth is that co-ops mean "zero privacy." In reality, you get your own lockable bedroom (private or shared), sound-conscious quiet hours, and dedicated study rooms.
The best of both worlds:
Shut your door for uninterrupted midterm studying or restful sleep
Step outside your room and find friends instantly — no lonely isolation
Dedicated quiet study lounges and computer labs in every house
Enforced quiet hours approved by members at each property
Daily Hot Meals & 24/7 Pantry Access
Skip the expensive DoorDash deliveries and grocery lines. At our meal-serving co-ops, hot dinner is planned and prepared fresh by fellow members on cooking shifts, with dietary accommodations for omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans.
Pantry & dining perks:
Hot prepared dinners Monday through Friday cooked by member teams
24/7 kitchen & pantry access with milk, eggs, bread, coffee, fruit & snacks
Late plates set aside if you have evening classes or labs
Saves members hundreds of dollars every month on Austin groceries
You’re An Owner & Decision Maker
College Houses is a student-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit. There are no corporate landlords or outside shareholders taking profits. Members elect house officers, vote on property budgets, and decide house policies democratically.
Leadership development:
Run for House Director, Kitchen Coordinator, Maintenance Officer, or Treasurer
Gain real financial management and collaborative governance experience
Build an impressive leadership resume while still an undergrad
Decide together how social and house improvement budgets are allocated
College Houses is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 74-1648710) that provides over 500 beds of affordable student housing across properties near UT Austin and Austin Community College, alongside the Ark Park—a shaded half-acre park open to all College Houses members.
Our mission is to foster a community that empowers students through democratic, cooperative living while promoting personal development.
We enable equitable access to higher education by lowering the housing and food costs associated with attending college.
Austin's average studio costs $1,500+ without food or utilities. We bundle rent, bills, internet, and a meal plan into one low monthly rate.
Democratic Student Governance
What if you and your friends worked together to design a unique community for yourselves? That's co-op life.
Members contribute a fixed amount of time to shifts around the co-op for services like planning and prep for meals, cleaning, and simple maintenance through an organized system. You’re not just a resident—you’re part owner, leader, and community builder. It takes all kinds, come be a part of the mix!
Learning about our differences and ourselves
Live with a diverse crew where you eat, study, and grow in an inspiring social atmosphere. We’re all imperfect, and that’s why there are still new projects and ideas born every semester!
Information For Parents & Families
Safe. Structured. Financially Responsible.
Sending a student off-campus into the Austin rental market can be overwhelming. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving students for over six decades, College Houses offers a mix of the structure and support of supervised dorm life with the independence and privacy of off-campus student life.
Safety & Building Security
Secure exterior building access, resident verification, full-time professional facilities & maintenance support, and an active community of students watching out for one another.
Daily Meals, Real Food
At our Halstead, 21st Street, Taos, and Pearl Street houses we provide hot, balanced dinners prepared daily. Members in these houses also have round-the-clock pantry access with fresh fruits, groceries, and staples for making snacks and personal meals. If your student has dietary needs for health or religious reasons, the co-op will prepare food that meets their needs.
Student Growth and Professional Development
Co-op members are able to get involved in budgeting, marketing, maintenance, meeting facilitation, or can run for a seat on our non-profit Board of Directors. The co-op is always happy to help members document these experiences in their resumes or applications for Graduate School.
Life Skills & Responsibility
Students learn self-reliance, budgeting, cooperative leadership, and conflict resolution by actively participating in their living community.
Quick Parent Facts
Semester & Academic Leases: Semesterly contracts are available, so you aren't forced into a multi-year commitment.
Long-term Discounts: If you know your plans for the next year, the co-op offers discounted rates for members who are able to make longer commitments.
Supportive Environment: Whether it's switching schedules with a neighbor to study, having someone to bring you dinner when you have to stay home sick, or always getting new recommendations about the neighborhood, co-ops make college better.
Predictable Expenses: One flat fee covers everything — room, electricity, water, fast, reliable Wi-Fi, and food.
Parents Are Welcome to Tour: Schedule an in-person or virtual walkthrough with your student at any time.
Nonprofit Mission: As a 501(c)(3), our mission is educational access and community empowerment, not corporate profit margins.
Roommate Matching: Mutual roommate requests are honored, and individual applicants are paired with care based on lifestyles and habits.
Trained, Maintained, and Inspected: Our officers and members get outside safety certifications, and our kitchens get regular public health inspections. We even award bonuses to the houses with the best run kitchens.
Everything you need to know about joining College Houses in West Campus.
What exactly is a student housing co-op?↓
A co-op (cooperative) is a democratically operated community where students are equal voting members rather than passive tenants. Members contribute a fixed amount of time to shifts for services like preparation and planning of meals, cleaning, and simple maintenance through an organized system. There is no corporate landlord taking profits - we keep our costs affordable by sharing tasks between members and our paid staff, and our members vote on the budget and the policies describing daily life at the co-op.
Who is eligible to live at College Houses?↓
Any student enrolled in at least 6 college or university credit hours (including UT Austin, Austin Community College, St. Edward's, or online degree programs) is eligible. We welcome undergraduate, transfer, graduate, and international students! Learn more on our member eligibility page.
How does the application process work?↓
Our co-op maintains a free wait list where you can share a preference for a house or a specific room. When you are notified of an opening there is no application fee to move from the wait list to an application. We send updates to anyone on the wait list every two weeks with our current availability and upcoming deadlines.
We also offer a priority application with a $10 application fee. Applications will get a response from our staff within two business days. Room availability is first-come first-served in order of the completed application date.
What is included in the monthly flat rate?↓
Your single monthly payment bundles your furnished bedroom, fast and reliable Wi-Fi, all utilities (electricity, air conditioning, water, gas, trash), on-site laundry facilities, and (at meal-providing houses) 17+ member-cooked meals every week plus 24/7 access to a fully stocked pantry. Most houses decide to have a breakfast, lunch, and dinner every weekday, as well as a brunch or dinner on weekends.
We ask anyone under the age of 21 on the day of signing to add a guarantor. If you do not have a guarantor contact [email protected] to ask about other options.
Do I have to move out between leases or between semesters?↓
No, if you have a lease before and after a break, you can stay in your room through the entire break.
How does the Halstead and Laurel House combination work?↓
For the upcoming year, we have unified our Laurel and Halstead operations at our 1905 Nueces St property under the Halstead name. Members enjoy access to expanded quiet study areas, Capitol and UT Tower views, a member fitness room, and delicious shared meals.
Can I choose my roommate or live with friends?↓
Yes! If you are applying with friends, you can list each other on your applications as mutual roommate requests. If you apply individually for a shared room, you'll be able to see any policies about quiet hours, pets, or other room issues, and if another member is already in the other half of the room you'll get information about your shared room preferences.
What if I have never lived away from home or in Austin before?↓
Co-ops are the #1 way incoming students make friends fast. Unlike isolating high-rise apartments where you might never meet your neighbors, co-ops offer built-in community dinners, study sessions, and social events from your very first day.
Still have questions or want to see a house?
Our membership team and current student officers are happy to talk or give you a personal tour.
