Let’s be honest: when it comes to student housing in St. John’s, the first thing everyone asks is “how much is rent?” The second question is usually “who am I going to live with?”
So let’s answer both. Here’s what student housing in St. John’s really costs for 2026–2027, from shared houses to your own apartment, and why so many Memorial students skip the guesswork and choose furnished student apartments at Wester-Land, right across the street from campus.
Quick answer:In 2026–2027, a room in a shared house near MUN typically costs $650 to $900 a month, and a one-bedroom apartment about $1,075 to $1,356 a month, usually before heat, power and furniture.
For a simpler option, Wester-Land offers fully furnished 2 to 5 bedroom student apartments across the street from MUN, with a fixed utilities package and shared spaces built for community.
Is Off-Campus Student Housing in St. John’s Worth the Cost?
Residence works for some first-years, but it’s pricey once you add a meal plan, and spots are limited (Memorial University).
By second year, most students want their own kitchen, their own room and the freedom to pick their roommates. The trick is getting that without giving up being close to class or losing the social side of student life, and that’s exactly what Wester-Land was built for.
How Much Is a Room in a Shared House Near MUN?
Most rooms near MUN rent for $650 to $900 a month (Roomies.ca). Some include heat, light and internet; a recent listing on the College of the North Atlantic housing board offered a room at $650 with all three included.
Students usually search on Kijiji, NLClassifieds and Facebook Marketplace (MUN School of Graduate Studies), and MUN’s Internationalization Office shares off-campus housing resources for all students.
The catch? Older houses, outdated kitchens, bills that may or may not be included, and housemates who aren’t always students. And if you’re new to St. John’s, especially as an international student, a random room in a shared house can feel pretty isolating when you don’t know anyone in the city.
At Wester-Land, you share a modern, fully furnished apartment with other students, with stainless steel appliances and a dishwasher, a fixed utilities package, and a 2-minute walk to MUN. In the 4 and 5 bedroom apartments, you get two bathrooms, so no more morning line-ups.
And moving in alone is no problem: Wester-Land runs community events and programming throughout the year, so you can meet people and make friends from day one, even if you don’t know a single person in St. John’s.
How Much Is an Apartment in St. John’s?
If you want your own place, here’s what renting in St. John’s looks like in 2026:
- One-bedroom: about $1,075 a month on average (Zumper), and up to about $1,356 downtown (Expatica)
- Two-bedroom: about $1,400 a month
- Three-bedroom: about $1,975 a month
And that’s just the rent. Rents in St. John’s jumped about 19% in the past year (Zumper), and most listings don’t include heat, power, internet or furniture. By the time you buy a bed, a desk and a couch and pay your first winter power bill, the real cost of an apartment is a lot higher than the listing price. Many are also a bus ride from campus.
Why students pick Wester-Land: you get one predictable monthly cost with a fixed utilities package, a fully furnished apartment (bed, study desk and chair included) and a 2-minute walk to MUN. No furniture shopping, no surprise bills, and no bus fare. Book a virtual meeting to find out more.
What Are Your Rights as a Renter in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2018:
- Security deposit: a landlord can ask for up to three-quarters of one month’s rent, and must return it within 10 days after you move out unless they file a claim (liv.rent, LawyerInfo)
- No “first and last”: landlords can only collect the first month’s rent and the security deposit up front (Landager)
- Rent increases: there’s no cap on increases, but landlords must give at least six months’ notice and can only raise rent once every 12 months (liv.rent)
Hidden Costs of Student Housing in St. John’s
- Electric heat: most St. John’s apartments use electric baseboard heaters, and winter power bills can climb fast
- Furniture: a bed, desk, chair, couch and kitchen basics add up quickly
- Splitting bills with roommates: who pays power, internet and groceries can cause real tension, so set it up early (University Apartments blog)
- Getting to campus: MUN doesn’t have a universal bus pass, since students voted against a U-Pass, so check Metrobus for current fares
- Groceries: estimates for one person range from about $250 to over $500 a month (Expatica)
Wester-Land: Student Housing in St. John’s With No Surprise Bills
Wester-Land by University Apartments isn’t just a place to sleep between classes. It was recognized with the Innovative Housing Design Award at the City of St. John’s 2026 Applause Awards, and it’s designed around how students actually live.
Live with your friends, or make new ones
Wester-Land offers 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom apartments, so you can sign with your friend group or join a unit and meet new people. Residents come from Memorial University, College of the North Atlantic and Academy Canada, so your neighbours are students just like you. New to St. John’s? Check out these tips on how to actually make friends in university.
Common spaces built for connection
“Being a student involves so much more than just going to class,” and Wester-Land’s common spaces are built around that:
- General common room: study, socialize or unwind, with a big mounted TV for movie nights and gaming tournaments, plus a pool table and foosball
- Wellness space: a gender-neutral room for yoga, meditation or just taking a breath.
- Outdoor seating area: for warmer St. John’s days
The real cost of student housing in St. John’s isn’t just rent; it’s furniture, power bills and finding your people, and Wester-Land covers all of it. Book a virtual meeting before the last units are gone.
See you next week
