UChicago condo rentals: what the current listings cost

If you're pricing UChicago condo rentals this fall, the quickest way to get a feel for the numbers is to look at what owners are actually asking right now. We pulled five current listings near the University of Chicago, from a single furnished room to full three-bedroom units, and laid out what each one costs and what its listing says. You can compare them against everything else in our current Chicago listings as you read.

Condos work a little differently from big managed apartment buildings. Most are rented out by an individual owner, so the lease, the move-in date and the house rules come from one person rather than a leasing office. That can mean more flexibility, but it also means you'll want to ask more questions up front.

Begin your search at Off-Campus Universe, where you can browse current listings near Chicago.

3bed/2 bath Washington Park Condo is a 3 bed, 2 bath unfurnished condo at 5840 S Prairie Ave for $2,100/month on a 12-month lease from an owner. The listing says it has a washer and dryer in the unit and private parking, and it's listed as 5 to 10 minutes by car from campus. Its start date reads 10/26/2026, which has already passed, so confirm the current move-in date with the owner.

East Bronzeville is a furnished 3 bed, 2.5 bath condo at 820 E 38th Pl for $3,300/month on a year lease. The listing describes it as a townhome with in-unit laundry, central air and dedicated parking. It's listed as more than 10 minutes by car from campus, and its listed start date of 11/1/2026 is just behind us, so check current availability.

Hyde Park Vintage Apartment is a 3 bed, 1.5 bath unfurnished condo at 5117 S Kimbark Ave for $3,000/month, with a 12-month lease and a listed start date of 11/1/2026. The listing mentions a second-floor unit with a private balcony and a separate dining room, and it's listed as 5 to 10 minutes by car from campus.

Quiet Private Bedroom Near Lake & Campus is a furnished private room in a shared condo at 3982 S Ellis Ave for $1,450/month, rented by the room on a six-month lease. It isn't available right now; the timing is listed as December-June. The listing says utilities are included and there's in-unit laundry, and it's listed as more than 15 minutes by car from campus.

Modern 2-Bed, 2-Bath Garden Apartment is a 2 bed, 2 bath unfurnished unit at 6144 S King Dr for $1,575/month on a 12-month lease, and it's available now. The owner lists the property type as an apartment rather than a condo, so ask how the building is managed. It's listed as under 5 minutes by car from campus, and the listing mentions stainless steel appliances.

What these Chicago condo listings have in common

Every listing here comes from an owner, not a property management company. That's typical for condos, where someone owns a single unit in a larger building and rents it out. You're usually dealing with one person who answers your messages, handles repairs or hires someone to, and decides whether to renew your lease next year.

The price spread is wide. A single furnished room in a shared condo sits at the low end, while full three-bedroom units run from about two thousand to over three thousand a month. If you're planning to split a three-bedroom with two other people, divide the monthly rent by three before you rule anything out. A unit that looks expensive on its own can land closer to what you'd pay for a room once it's shared.

Lease terms lean toward the standard 12 months. Four of the five listings are year leases, and one is a six-month room. If you're only around for a semester or two, the shorter option or a sublease elsewhere in our listings might fit better than signing for a full year.

Furnishing varies too. Two listings are furnished, and three are unfurnished, so budget for a bed, a desk and kitchen basics if you go with one of the unfurnished units. Buying used in Chicago is easy enough, but moving furniture up to a second-floor condo in January is no one's favorite afternoon.

UChicago condo rentals: how to read the listings

UChicago condo rentals tend to be described in a lot of detail, sometimes more detail than the listing fields themselves. An owner might write a long paragraph about vintage details or a sunny living room and then leave out the basics you actually need, like who pays for heat or whether there's an extra fee for parking. Read the description, then make a list of what it doesn't say.

Start with the layout. The bed and bath count on each listing is what we show in the fields, and that's what we've used here. If a description and the fields ever seem to disagree, ask the owner to confirm the layout before you plan around it. The same goes for the property type: one listing in this group is labeled an apartment by its owner, and another listing calls its condo a townhome in the description.

Next, look at the lease dates. A few of these listings show start dates in late October and early November that have already passed. That doesn't mean the place is gone, but it does mean the owner might have moved the date, signed someone already or be open to a later start. A quick message clears it up.

Then think about the building itself. Condo buildings often have their own association rules on things like move-in times, elevator reservations, storage and guests. Ask whether there are any building rules you'll need to follow and whether there's a move-in fee charged by the association rather than the owner.

Finally, think about how you'll get to class. We list distance as drive time by car from campus, so a unit listed as 5 to 10 minutes by car may take longer by other means. Look up the route you'd actually use before you commit, especially for winter.

Tips for renting a condo near UChicago this season

• Message owners now if you want a January move-in. Early November is when spring-semester handoffs start getting arranged, and owners with December or January openings often fill them before the break.

• Ask for the full monthly cost in writing: rent, utilities, parking, internet and any association fees. One listing here says utilities are included, but most don't mention it, so don't assume.

• If you're signing for next fall, ask the owner when they plan to decide on renewals for current tenants. Condo owners usually rent one unit at a time, so timing your request well matters.

• Keep everything on the record. Get the lease, the deposit amount and any promises about repairs or furniture in writing before you send money, and only pay through a method you can trace.

Ready to find your place? Browse all listings at Off-Campus Universe.

This article is provided by an independent housing resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the University of Chicago.