Understanding the Cost of Living at University: How On-Campus Living Can Save You Money

Blog
4 min read
•
Posted September 2026

Three residents sit on green couches in a bright lounge area, talking. A round coffee table with books, a plant, and mugs is in front of them. Sunlight comes in through large windows.

When students start comparing accommodation options, the first number they usually look at is the weekly rent.

Makes sense, right?

But here's the thing: rent is only one part of the cost of living away from home.

Before long, there are internet bills to organise, furniture to buy, transport expenses to consider and, somehow, a light globe that needs replacing just when assignments are due.

Suddenly, that cheaper-looking rental isn't looking quite so cheap.

That's why it's important to look beyond the weekly rent and ask a different question:

"What will I need to pay for separately if I don't live on Res?"

When you start adding up the extra costs, the value of living at Deakin Res becomes much clearer.

The Move-In Costs You Might Not Expect

Picture you've secured an off-campus rental and you're ready to move in.

Then comes the realisation that an empty room is exactly that... empty.

You'll likely need a bed, desk, chair, storage, white goods, a television and all the other bits and pieces that make a place feel like home. Before you've attended your first class, you could be spending around $1,300 just on furniture.

At Deakin Res, your room is ready when you arrive.

A resident wearing a yellow cardigan and white shirt stands in the doorway of a modern room with shelves, a closet, and a desk with a laptop.

Your furniture is already there. Your desk is ready for study sessions. Your bed is ready after a long day of classes. Even the smaller essentials, like your desk lamp, desk bin, toaster and kettle are taken care of.

That's one less moving expense and one less thing to worry about.

The Bills Never Stop Coming

One of the trickiest parts of moving out for the first time is learning how many bills adults actually pay.

Electricity. Water. Laundry. Internet.

Then winter arrives, the heater gets a workout, and suddenly the power bill is looking very different from what you expected.

At Deakin Res, utilities are included in your accommodation fees.

That means no surprises when the next bill arrives and no worrying about whether using the heater, drying your clothes, taking a long shower or charging your devices will impact your budget that month.

Wi-Fi is included too, so there's no hunting around for providers or splitting internet bills with housemates. Better still, if you ever encounter a technical issue, IT support is available to help.

What Happens When Things Go Wrong?

Here's a question that doesn't usually come up when students are comparing accommodation:

What happens if something breaks?

A leaking tap. A light globe that stops working. A door that won't lock properly.

In a private rental, these situations often mean spending time contacting landlords, organising repairs or trying to solve the problem yourself.

At Deakin Res, dedicated maintenance staff are on hand to help.

A maintenance wearing a staff uniform looks unde a kitchen sink with the cabinet door open, while another resident looks on. The man points at something under the sink. Kitchen items and cleaning products are visible, as well as the maintenance officer's tool bag.

No emergency trip to the hardware store. No late-night Google searches about how to fix things. No trying to work out which screwdriver you need.

Just support when you need it.

The Value of Having People Around You

Moving away from home can be exciting, but it can also be a huge adjustment.

Whether it's navigating university life, managing study pressures, dealing with homesickness or simply having a bad day, having support nearby can make all the difference.

Three residents gather around a table in a brightly lit common room. A Residential Leader stands and shakes hands with a seated resident wearing glasses. Notebooks, mugs, and stationery are on the table.

Deakin Res provides 24/7 support through a team that includes:

· Residential Leaders (RLs) who are fellow students and understand what it's like to live away from home for the first time

· Campus Life staff who residents can meet with for support and guidance

· Campus Support staff (Security) available around the clock

· Reception staff

· Night Welfare Coordinators

· Maintenance staff

It's the kind of support network that would be difficult, and expensive, to replicate elsewhere.

For many parents, it's also one of the most reassuring aspects of choosing on-campus living.

A Social Life Doesn't Have to Cost a Fortune

Anyone who has ever tried to organise a social life on a budget knows how quickly costs can add up.

Dinner here. Tickets there. Weekly sports. A weekend activity with friends.

At Deakin Res, residents have access to hundreds of events and activities throughout the year, at no additional cost.

From free food events and sporting competitions to wellbeing programs, cultural celebrations, study support and social activities, there's something happening for every interest.

And if there isn't? Students can chat with their Residential Leader or Campus Life team and help start something new.

The Cheapest Commute You'll Ever Have

For many students living off campus, transport becomes a regular weekly expense.

Fuel, public transport fares and rideshares all add up over time.

At Deakin Res, your commute might be one of the shortest you'll ever have.

Two residents are walking on a paved path beside a grassy area with shrubs and trees. They are talking and smiling. Behind them is a modern building under a clear blue sky.

Residents can walk from their room to class in just a few minutes.

That's time and money saved, and significantly fewer early-morning transport headaches.

Keep Your Bond Money

Most private rentals require a bond payment upfront, often equivalent to four weeks' rent.

For students already paying moving costs and preparing for university, that's a significant amount of money to find before they've even unpacked.

At Deakin Res, there's no bond required.

That's money that can stay in your pocket instead of being tied up for the duration of your tenancy.

The Bottom Line

When comparing accommodation options, it's easy to focus on the rent and miss everything else.

But furniture, utilities, internet, laundry, transport, bond payments, social activities, maintenance and support services all form part of the real cost of living away from home.

At Deakin Res, those costs are already included in one accommodation fee.

So while the weekly rent might be the first figure students notice, it's rarely the most important one.

Because the real question isn't just, "How much is the rent?"

It's "How much will it cost me to live?"

So before comparing accommodation options based solely on weekly rent, consider the full cost of living. You may find that what's included at Deakin Res can save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars over the course of your university journey.

Four residents sit at a table in a bright art room, painting and drawing. Art supplies, including paint and brushes, are on the table. Large windows let in natural light, and trees are visible outside.

Written by

Kelsey Mounsey • Senior Officer, Future Resident Engagement

Kelsey Mounsey is the Senior Officer, Future Resident Engagement. Kelsey brings over nine years of experience in the student housing industry and is passionate about creating positive student experiences and building strong, inclusive communities where students are supported to thrive.