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Roommates & housing near Wayne State University for international students

Wayne State sits in Midtown Detroit, where most students commute and the off-campus stock ranges from new mid-rise blocks to century-old houses, many without the city rental certificate. Midtown listings had a median near $1,495/mo in 2025, while the university subsidises bus, bike-share and the fare-free QLine streetcar, so a cheaper room further along Woodward Avenue can still work.

Typical rent
$1,400/mo
Range
$1,300–$1,425
Looking for a room
9 people
Room types
Private (3)

3 results

Single room in Detroit, MI
$1,400/mo
Single room
Single room in Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
~1.8 km from Wayne State University
Available from Aug 2026Posted 3mo ago
Chen ZhangChen Zhang
New here
Single room in Detroit, MI
$1,425/mo
Single room
Single room in Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
~2.7 km from Wayne State University
Available from Sep 2026Posted 2mo ago
Anika ShahAnika Shah
New here
Single room in Detroit, MI
$1,300/mo
Single room
Single room in Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
~3.1 km from Wayne State University
Available from Sep 2026Posted 4mo ago
William BrownWilliam Brown
Replies to 65% · within 2h

Living near Wayne State University: a newcomer's guide

Where to live

Areas students rent in, nearest first

  1. Midtown

    The campus neighbourhood, with university apartments, new rental buildings and converted houses along Cass and Woodward avenues. Most convenient, but newer buildings price at the top of the Detroit market.

    Commute
    Walk to campus
    Typical rent
    About $1,495/mo median listing (2025)

  2. Woodbridge

    Victorian houses just west of campus, often rented by the floor or room to students and young professionals. Housing stock is old, so check heating, windows and the city certificate.

    Commute
    10–20-min walk or MoGo bike to campus
    Typical rent
    About $1,900/mo median listing (2025)

  3. New Center

    North of the main campus around TechTown and the Integrated Biosciences Center, with apartment buildings on the QLine. A good fit for students whose labs or classes are at the north end.

    Commute
    QLine along Woodward, a few stops to campus

  4. Corktown

    Detroit's oldest neighbourhood, west of downtown, with rowhouses and newer flats near Michigan Avenue. Popular and pricey relative to the rest of the city.

    Commute
    DDOT bus or drive, about 10–15 min to campus
    Typical rent
    About $2,395/mo median listing (2025)

  5. Downtown

    High-rise apartments near the Mike Ilitch School of Business, with the QLine running straight up Woodward to campus. Expect higher rents and paid parking.

    Commute
    QLine, roughly 10–15 min to main campus

Getting around

The QLine streetcar runs along Woodward Avenue between New Center and downtown and is operating fare-free. DDOT buses serve the city and SMART buses the suburbs, sharing the Dart fare system; DDOT 4 and 16 are handy routes around Midtown.

Student fares
Wayne State subsidises up to three 4-hour Dart passes a day for enrolled students (request a code each semester) plus a free annual MoGo bike-share pass.
Car
About 85% of students commute and many drive, but campus parking is tight, so a Midtown or QLine-corridor room avoids a car entirely.

What it costs

Room in a shared place
About $450–750/mo for a room, derived from the early-2026 Detroit three-bedroom median ($1,350) and average ($2,258) split three ways; Midtown sits at the top
Studio or 1-bedroom
Citywide one-bedroom apartment median about $1,247/mo in early 2026
Also budget for
Michigan allows a deposit of up to 1.5 months of rent; university apartments bill per semester instead.

Leases and deposits

Lease
Private landlords mostly use 12-month leases; Wayne State's university apartments offer 8- or 12-month license agreements on some graduate floors.
Deposit
Michigan caps deposits at 1.5 months of rent. Your landlord must return the deposit, or send an itemized damage list, within 30 days after you leave, as long as you gave a written forwarding address within 4 days of moving out.
Good to know
Detroit landlords may not collect rent on a unit without a Certificate of Compliance; tenants in uncertified units can pay rent into the city-run escrow program instead, with no filing fee, and retaliation is barred.
City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department — Rental Escrow Program(opens in a new tab)

Campus housing

Residence halls are mainly for first-year students. Graduate students can apply for graduate-only floors in Anthony Wayne Drive Apartments (furnished studio, 1-, 2- and 4-bedroom units), Towers Residential Suites and the unfurnished University Tower Apartments, using the separate graduate housing application. Space is limited, so most graduate students rent privately.

University housing page(opens in a new tab)

Before you move

  1. When to start looking

    Apply for graduate housing as soon as you are admitted for fall; private Midtown buildings fill for August, while Woodbridge and New Center house rooms turn over across the year.

  2. Your first weeks

    Students starting in summer can request spring/summer term housing in Anthony Wayne Drive Apartments; others book a short stay in Midtown and use the fare-free QLine to view units along Woodward before signing.

  3. Watch out for

    Only a small share of Detroit rentals hold a Certificate of Compliance (about 8% in 2022 and roughly 10% in 2024 reporting), so check the address in the city database before paying any deposit.

Questions about renting near Wayne State University

What do rooms near Wayne State University cost on HomiesAbroad right now?

3 rooms are listed right now, at a median of $1,400/mo (from $1,300 to $1,425).

Can I live near Wayne State without a car?

Yes. Wayne State subsidises up to three 4-hour Dart passes a day for DDOT and SMART buses, the QLine streetcar is fare-free along Woodward, and students get a free annual MoGo bike-share pass good for unlimited 60-minute trips. There are seven MoGo stations on or next to campus. Choose a room within walking distance of Woodward or a frequent DDOT route and you will rarely need to drive.

What is a Detroit Certificate of Compliance and why should I check it?

It is the city's proof that a rental passed inspection, including paint-hazard testing in pre-1978 buildings. Detroit's ordinance makes it unlawful to collect rent on a unit without one. If your home lacks it, you can apply to the city's Rental Escrow Program and pay rent into escrow; if the landlord does not fix the problems, escrowed funds can go back to you.

Are there graduate-only apartments on campus?

Yes, on dedicated floors. Graduate and professional students can live on graduate-only floors in Anthony Wayne Drive Apartments, Towers Residential Suites and University Tower Apartments. University Tower offers unfurnished one-, two- and three-bedroom units with full kitchens; Anthony Wayne Drive is furnished. Apply through the graduate housing application rather than the general one.

Is New Center a practical place to live for Wayne State?

Often, yes. Wayne State's campus stretches from TechTown and the Integrated Biosciences Center in New Center down to the main and medical campuses in Midtown. The QLine runs along Woodward between New Center and downtown, so a room near a QLine stop gives a short, free ride to most buildings.

How many people are looking for a room or roommate near Wayne State University?

9 people have an open housing request here. Their median budget is $700/mo.