Student housing in Moscow

Live near your university without overpaying for rent or commuting

Start with your university dormitory. If you need private rent, compare rooms and apartments by total cost and commute, not the listing price alone.

Dorms at 13 universitiesRoom or apartmentAreas and metroFirst-month budgetAnti-scam
Universities covered
13

13 Moscow universities with accommodation cards and official-source links.

Room in Moscow
≈ RUB 27.5k

Average long-term room asking rent on CIAN at the end of July 2026.

CIAN
Long-term rental market
≈ RUB 90k

Median across apartment types in Moscow in H1 2026, Yandex Rent data cited by RBC.

RBC / Yandex Rent
First rental month
Rent + deposit + more

Commission, utilities, transport and move-in purchases can materially change the initial budget.

Start with the official source

Dormitories at 13 Moscow universities

Eligibility, capacity and fees change. Use these summaries as a starting point and verify the current rules on each university’s official page.

Checked against university sources · August 2026
MSU

MSU dormitories

Leninskie Gory / Ramenki

MSU operates several dormitory complexes; allocation depends on faculty and student category.

  • Full-time state-funded non-local students beyond the 5th Moscow Railway zone may receive a place by Central Admissions decision.
  • Fee-paying students may receive a place when capacity is available.
  • The system includes the Student House, its branch, Kravchenko Student House and DAS.
Official information
HSE

HSE dormitories

Moscow + Odintsovo

HSE has a distributed dormitory network in Moscow and Odintsovo, so commute time varies by programme.

  • The official list includes dormitories No. 1, 3–10, Dubki and the postgraduate residence.
  • Applicants have separate allocation rules and fee information.
  • Always compare the dorm location with your actual teaching building.
Official information
BMSTU

Bauman University housing

Baumanskaya / Izmailovo

Bauman University uses several residential facilities; placement and price depend on student category.

  • Official international-student guidance describes the Bauman and Izmaylovo residential complexes.
  • The Bauman complex is within walking distance of core buildings.
  • Izmaylovo requires a metro commute; confirm allocation and price with the university.
Official information
MEPhI

MEPhI dormitories

Moskvorechye / Kashirskaya

MEPhI officially lists seven dormitories of apartment, corridor and mixed types.

  • Buildings are located around Moskvorechye, Proletarsky Prospekt, Shkuleva and Koshkina streets.
  • The university publishes room type, kitchens, laundry, internet and facilities.
  • Applicants have separate eligibility and move-in information.
Official information
RUDN

RUDN dormitories

Miklukho-Maklaya / South-West

RUDN publishes detailed campus, room-type, move-in and fee information.

  • The university states more than 9,000 dormitory places.
  • Most rooms accommodate 2–3 people, with different building and comfort types.
  • The current official page lists fees from RUB 1,100 to RUB 17,500 per month depending on type and comfort.
Official information
Pirogov

Pirogov University dormitory

Konkovo / Troparevo

Pirogov University publishes a detailed application process and warns that capacity is limited.

  • The dormitory has four buildings with 3,280 places.
  • For 2026 applicants the university reported 400 places: 370 for specialist programmes and 30 for residency.
  • Applications are submitted after enrolment through the student account; plan an alternative in advance.
Official information
МАИ

Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) dormitories

Сокол / Щукинская / Войковская

Check eligibility, application dates and fees for your exact student category.

  • MAI operates a nine-building student campus; allocation rules and current conditions are published by the university.
  • Recheck current rules and deadlines on the university’s official page before applying.
  • Compare the trip from the exact dormitory building to your teaching building at morning and evening times.
Official information
МЭИ

National Research University MPEI dormitories

Лефортово / Авиамоторная

Check eligibility, application dates and fees for your exact student category.

  • The Lefortovo student campus publishes dedicated 2026 move-in guidance, current fees and accommodation procedures.
  • Recheck current rules and deadlines on the university’s official page before applying.
  • Compare the trip from the exact dormitory building to your teaching building at morning and evening times.
Official information
МИСИС

MISIS University of Science and Technology dormitories

Беляево / Донской / Студенческая

Check eligibility, application dates and fees for your exact student category.

  • MISIS uses several Moscow housing complexes, including Metallurg, Dom-Kommuna, Gornyak and residences on Studencheskaya Street.
  • Recheck current rules and deadlines on the university’s official page before applying.
  • Compare the trip from the exact dormitory building to your teaching building at morning and evening times.
Official information
МГИМО

MGIMO University dormitories

Проспект Вернадского / Тёплый Стан / Царицыно

Check eligibility, application dates and fees for your exact student category.

  • MGIMO runs a dedicated official dormitory service; accommodation rules depend on the campus and student category.
  • Recheck current rules and deadlines on the university’s official page before applying.
  • Compare the trip from the exact dormitory building to your teaching building at morning and evening times.
Official information
Сеченовский

Sechenov University dormitories

Хамовники / Озёрная / Первомайская

Check eligibility, application dates and fees for your exact student category.

  • Sechenov University officially lists five student dormitories with about 2,600 places.
  • Recheck current rules and deadlines on the university’s official page before applying.
  • Compare the trip from the exact dormitory building to your teaching building at morning and evening times.
Official information
РАНХиГС

RANEPA Presidential Academy dormitories

Юго-Западная / Текстильщики / Царицыно

Check eligibility, application dates and fees for your exact student category.

  • The Presidential Academy publishes its dormitories, competitive allocation rules and dedicated 2026 first-year move-in information.
  • Recheck current rules and deadlines on the university’s official page before applying.
  • Compare the trip from the exact dormitory building to your teaching building at morning and evening times.
Official information
Финуниверситет

Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation dormitories

Аэропорт + маршруты от общежитий

Check eligibility, application dates and fees for your exact student category.

  • Financial University reported 1,043 dormitory places for 2026 entrants and states that no accommodation prepayment is collected.
  • Recheck current rules and deadlines on the university’s official page before applying.
  • Compare the trip from the exact dormitory building to your teaching building at morning and evening times.
Official information
If a dorm is unavailable or unsuitable

Room, shared apartment or your own place

Compare privacy, commute, deposit, flatmates, utilities and time — not just the monthly rent.

Lowest private-rent entry point

Room

Market reference: about RUB 27.5k/month
Lower monthly cost than a whole apartment.
You can choose a direct metro line to campus.
Easier to move if study or work changes.
Household rules depend on flatmates.
Deposit and agency fee can make month one expensive.
Price/freedom balance

Shared apartment

Cost depends on area and is split between tenants.
More control over the household than renting one room.
Rent, internet and some costs can be shared.
Works well for friends or classmates with similar routines.
Agree payments and responsibilities before move-in.
If one tenant leaves, the others may suddenly pay much more.
Maximum autonomy

Studio / one-bedroom

Usually the most expensive solo option.
Quiet and full control of your schedule.
No conflicts over kitchen, cleaning or guests.
Suitable for a stable long-term routine.
High monthly cost and large initial payment.
All utilities and household issues are yours.
Do not search only “near the centre”

Where to search relative to your university

In Moscow, a longer distance on a direct metro line can be better than a shorter but awkward route. These are starting search zones, not rankings.

MSU
Ramenki / Prospekt Vernadskogo
Universitet · Ramenki · Lomonosovsky Prospekt

Compare walking distance and one simple transfer; MSU buildings cover a large campus area.

HSE
Centre + dorm corridors
Chistye Prudy · Kitay-gorod · Kurskaya + routes from Odintsovo

HSE has multiple teaching locations. Check the exact building for your programme.

Bauman
Basmanny / Lefortovo / Izmailovo
Baumanskaya · Elektrozavodskaya · Izmaylovskaya

Prioritise a direct route to Baumanskaya or Elektrozavodskaya; Izmailovo can reduce rent.

MEPhI
Moskvorechye-Saburovo / Tsaritsyno
Kashirskaya · Kantemirovskaya

Southern districts often give the clearest route to Kashirskoye Shosse and MEPhI dorms.

RUDN
Obruchevsky / Konkovo / Belyaevo
Belyaevo · Konkovo · Yugo-Zapadnaya

South-West Moscow is convenient for Miklukho-Maklaya; check the last-mile walk and evening transport.

Pirogov University
Troparevo-Nikulino / Konkovo
Troparevo · Konkovo · Yugo-Zapadnaya

Check travel to Ostrovityanova and clinical sites, since the study day may span more than one building.

МАИ
Сокол / Щукинская / Войковская
Sokol

Check the exact teaching building and dormitory address because commute patterns can differ within one university.

МЭИ
Лефортово / Авиамоторная
Lefortovo / Aviamotornaya

Check the exact teaching building and dormitory address because commute patterns can differ within one university.

МИСИС
Беляево / Донской / Студенческая
Oktyabrskaya

Check the exact teaching building and dormitory address because commute patterns can differ within one university.

МГИМО
Проспект Вернадского / Тёплый Стан / Царицыно
Prospekt Vernadskogo

Check the exact teaching building and dormitory address because commute patterns can differ within one university.

Сеченовский
Хамовники / Озёрная / Первомайская
Frunzenskaya / Sportivnaya

Check the exact teaching building and dormitory address because commute patterns can differ within one university.

РАНХиГС
Юго-Западная / Текстильщики / Царицыно
Yugo-Zapadnaya

Check the exact teaching building and dormitory address because commute patterns can differ within one university.

Финуниверситет
Аэропорт + маршруты от общежитий
Aeroport

Check the exact teaching building and dormitory address because commute patterns can differ within one university.

Before signing

Calculate month one, not rent alone

Enter your actual figures to see the move-in payment and normal monthly load.

Compare options

Compare a dorm, room and apartment using real-life criteria

Price is only one factor. Compare monthly cost, move-in payment, commute, condition, safety and documents. Data stays in your browser.

Best balance now

Dorm near university

Score: 100/100 · Per month: 6,000 ₽ · First payment: 6,000 ₽ · Commute: 15 min

100
100
out of 100
Strong option
A higher score means a calmer balance of cost, commute, documents, safety and condition.
50
out of 100
Needs checking
A higher score means a calmer balance of cost, commute, documents, safety and condition.
48
out of 100
Needs checking
A higher score means a calmer balance of cost, commute, documents, safety and condition.
This is not legal advice, only a practical student filter. Always verify documents, contract terms, deposit return and actual living conditions before paying.
Anti-scam before payment

Five checks worth doing before you transfer money

Do not rush because a listing says “today only”. The cost of a mistake is usually higher than one more day of searching.

  1. 1Verify the landlord and their right to rent the property; if a representative acts, check their authority.
  2. 2Use a written contract with rent, term, utilities, deposit return and termination terms.
  3. 3Do not send a large “reservation” payment before viewing the property and checking documents.
  4. 4On move-in day photograph the condition, furniture and appliances and attach this to the handover record.
  5. 5An unusually low price, time pressure, refusal to sign a contract or payment to a third party are warning signs.
Moving plan

From decision to keys without chaos

1

Check the dorm first

Verify eligibility and application dates on your university website.

2

Then compare routes

If you need private rent, compare 3–5 areas by real morning and evening travel time.

3

Calculate month one

Add deposit, fee, utilities, transport and initial household purchases.

4

Check documents

Before payment, fix the contract, landlord details, deposit terms and property condition.

Quick answers

Common questions about student housing in Moscow

Is a dormitory guaranteed to every non-local student?

No. Rules vary by university, study mode and student category, and capacity is limited. Treat a place as confirmed only after official approval.

What matters more: rent or distance to campus?

Calculate both money and travel time. A cheaper home on a direct metro line can be better than an expensive central address.

How much should I budget for the first rental month?

At minimum include rent, deposit, possible agency fee, utilities, internet, transport and move-in purchases. Use the calculator with your actual listing terms.

Can I rely on the market prices here months later?

No. The figures are dated benchmarks. Before deciding, check current listings and compare several options in the area you need.

My housing

Save the places you are actually considering

Keep 2–5 options together: price, metro, commute and viewing time.