Five Universities Accommodation & Living Costs: A Cross-Comparison of Hall Fees, Off-Campus Rent, and Monthly Living Expenses

Bottom line: Official annual undergraduate hall fees across the five universities range from about HK$18,515 at PolyU (2026/27, unified rate for both Hung Hom and Ho Man Tin hall clusters) to HK$41,600 at CityU for a non-local single room in Kowloon Tong (2026/27)PolyU Hall Fees^※ · CityU Hall Fees^※; hall places are generally tight across all five. Among the five, only CUHK explicitly guarantees the first two academic years for non-local students, while PolyU typically guarantees only the first year for non-local undergraduates; the other three universities offer no fixed guarantee period, allocating places through a points-based system or priority ranking. Monthly rent for off-campus shared flats generally falls between HK$5,000–9,000, and when combined with food, transport, and miscellaneous expenses, a non-local student should budget approximately HK$80,000–150,000 per year for living costs (excluding tuition fees).

# What Are the Official Annual Undergraduate Hall Fees at the Five Universities?

The answer: Official hall fees can more than double from the lowest to the highest — PolyU's uniform rate of about HK$18,515 is the lowest, while CityU charges non-local students up to HK$41,600 for a single room. HKU, CUHK, and HKUST fluctuate by hall and room type, generally falling between approximately HK$17,000–38,000. The table below lists the official rates for the latest academic year for each university. All amounts shown are for the full academic year (usually payable in two instalments per semester, excluding the summer break).

Note on methodology: All the above are officially published annual hall fees, excluding deposits, membership fees, activity fees, and other miscellaneous charges. Fees are adjusted slightly almost every year at all universities, and price differences can more than double between different halls or room types within the same university (e.g., at HKU and HKUST). Before you enrol, you must check the exact fee notice for your assigned hall.

# How Tight Are Hall Places Across the Five Universities? What's the Difference in Guarantee Periods?

The answer: Among the five, only CUHK has a clear "two-year guarantee" for non-local students (including mainlanders). The other four either guarantee only one year, or have no fixed guarantee period at all, with places allocated competitively through points or priority systems. This policy difference has a major implication for your budget: it tells you whether you need to set aside money for off-campus rent in advance.

• CUHK: Undergraduate students are guaranteed at least one year of hall residence during their studies,with over 50% of undergraduates^※ living in college hostels long-term. Non-local students enrolling in or after the 2025/26 academic year are guaranteed on-campus accommodation for their first two academic years, the clearest commitment among the five for new mainland students.
• PolyU: Non-local undergraduates are usually assigned on-campus accommodation for the first academic year only. From Year 2, they must find their own off-campus housing — meaning PolyU mainland students need to budget for off-campus rent starting from the second year.
• HKU, HKUST, and CityU all offer no fixed-period guarantee. Places are allocated through points-based systems, priority rankings, or supply-and-demand competition. Hall places are limited and not everyone gets one.

For details on the number of hall places, priority rules, and a per-university comparison, see the accommodation section of Five Universities: Accommodation, Life & Environment Comparison.

# What Are the Approximate Monthly Rents for Off-Campus Private Housing?

The answer: For private rentals near the five universities, monthly rent for a room in a shared flat is generally HK$5,000–9,000, while renting an entire one-bedroom unit typically costs HK$9,000–15,000. The price fluctuates based on location (urban vs. suburban campus), room type (en-suite / subdivided flat / shared flat), and the age and condition of the building. Off-campus renting is an unavoidable expense for non-local students in their senior years at all five universities, especially at PolyU.

• Around urban campuses (CityU in Kowloon Tong, PolyU in Hung Hom, HKU around Sai Ying Pun), rents are generally higher. A room in a shared flat costs about HK$6,000–9,000, and a self-contained small unit (colloquially known as a "subdivided flat" or mini-studio) is roughly HK$9,000–15,000.
• Around suburban campuses (CUHK in Sha Tin, HKUST in Clear Water Bay), rents are relatively more affordable. A room in a shared flat costs about HK$3,500–6,000, but commuting costs (time and transport fees) will increase accordingly.
• Private rentals in Hong Kong usually require one to two months' rent as a deposit plus the first month's rent upfront. A "fixed-term" lease (e.g., a 10-month contract with no early termination clause) is common. Before signing, always confirm whether the rent includes utilities (water, electricity, internet) and the conditions for deposit refund.
• Mainland students primarily search for housing through local estate agents like Centaline Property and Midland Realty, rental platforms specialising in services for international students, or channels like university forums and senior students.

A tip: Specific rents fluctuate with Hong Kong's property and rental market each year, and within the same district, prices vary enormously based on the building's age, floor level, and whether there's an en-suite bathroom. The ranges above are for budget reference only. Before viewing and negotiating, we strongly recommend comparing prices across multiple platforms and prioritising listings from licensed agents or university-recognised channels to avoid rental scams.

# What Are the Approximate Monthly Living Costs at the Five Universities?

The answer: According to the official "Study in Hong Kong" page by the Education Bureau, an annual budget of HK$30,000–50,000 is recommended for living expenses excluding accommodation (food, transport, miscellaneous). When accommodation is added, the total annual living cost for a non-local student (excluding tuition) typically falls in the range of HK$80,000–150,000. The table below breaks down the main spending categories to help you estimate based on your own consumption habits.

According to PolyU's School of Design official budgeting guide for non-local students, "Groceries: HKD 1,500–2,500/month"PolyU Living Budget Guide^※ and "Octopus card (monthly transport): HKD 300–500"PolyU Living Budget Guide^※. The Education Bureau's "Study in Hong Kong" official page also recommends setting aside an additional HK$30,000 to HK$50,000 per year (excluding accommodation) for food, leisure, transport, and personal itemsEducation Bureau Cost of Living Page^※.

# A Quick-Reference Budget Table for Accommodation and Living Costs

Placing hall fees, accommodation guarantees, and estimated living costs side-by-side allows a quick, at-a-glance comparison of the five universities on the "money" dimension:

The estimates above are reference ranges for decision-making only. Actual spending varies significantly based on individual consumption habits, choice of room type, exchange rates, and market fluctuations. For precise, per-university hall fees and accommodation policies, always refer to the latest announcements from each university's Student Residence Office or Office of Student Affairs.

# How to Factor Accommodation and Living Costs into Your University Selection Budget?

To turn these numbers into a concrete plan, we suggest prioritising based on your situation and budget sensitivity: If your budget is tight and you want to minimise accommodation uncertainty, CUHK's "two-year guarantee for non-local students" can save you from the stress and premium-price risk of house-hunting in Years 1 and 2. If you are leaning towards PolyU and have a limited budget, you must, from your first year, plan to set aside funds for off-campus rent starting in Year 2 to avoid a last-minute scramble before the semester starts. If you have high expectations for room type/location and a relatively flexible budget, the premium halls at HKU, HKUST, and CityU, and well-appointed off-campus apartments are all options, but you must accept the uncertainty of competitive, points-based allocation. This expenditure on accommodation and living, beyond tuition fees, is often underestimated by mainland applicants — we recommend listing it alongside the non-local tuition fee comparison in your budget sheet before finalising your preference order.

Tip: The hall fees, rents, and living cost ranges on this page may be adjusted annually. Official sources from each university have been cited for every item. Before making a formal decision, please verify details against the latest announcements from each university's Student Residence Office/Office of Student Affairs and the current Hong Kong rental market conditions. For a complete comparison of accommodation guarantee policies and campus environments, see also Five Universities: Accommodation, Life & Environment Comparison; for application and tuition fee details, see Comparison of Five Universities for Mainland Gaokao Applicants.

# Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does a year of study in Hong Kong cost in total? A: Excluding tuition fees, a non-local student's annual living costs (accommodation + food + transport + miscellaneous) at the five universities typically fall between HK$80,000 and 150,000. In years when you live in a hall, this figure is roughly HK$80,000–120,000. In a year when you don't secure a hall place and must rent off-campus, the total cost could climb to HK$120,000–180,000. Tuition fees are an additional sum that must be factored into the overall budget.

Q: How much are hall fees for one year at the five universities in Hong Kong? A: Official annual hall fees for undergraduates at the five universities can more than double from the lowest to the highest. PolyU has the lowest, at a uniform rate of about HK$18,515 (2026/27), while CityU's Kowloon Tong non-local single room is the highest at HK$41,600 (2026/27). At HKU, fees range from approximately HK$17,000–38,000; CUHK standard rooms start from about HK$17,182; and for new non-local students at HKUST, fees range from HK$22,099–37,310. These amounts all exclude deposits, membership fees, and other sundry charges, and prices for different room types within the same university can vary by more than a factor of two.

Q: What are the approximate monthly rents for off-campus housing in Hong Kong? A: For private rentals near the five universities, a room in a shared flat is typically HK$5,000–9,000 per month, while renting a self-contained one-bedroom unit generally costs HK$9,000–15,000 per month. Rents are higher around urban campuses (CityU in Kowloon Tong, PolyU in Hung Hom, HKU in the Sai Ying Pun area), where a shared room costs roughly HK$6,000–9,000. Suburban areas (CUHK in Sha Tin, HKUST in the Clear Water Bay area) are relatively cheaper, with shared rooms at about HK$3,500–6,000, though commuting costs will be higher.

Q: How should I estimate monthly living expenses for studying in Hong Kong? A: According to the official "Study in Hong Kong" page by the Education Bureau, an annual budget of HK$30,000–50,000 is recommended for living expenses excluding accommodation (food, transport, miscellaneous). Broken down monthly: food is roughly HK$1,500–2,500; transport (Octopus card) is about HK$300–600; utilities for off-campus renters are about HK$300–600; and personal spending and social entertainment are about HK$1,000–2,000, with the last category being the most flexible.