Boarding House or Apartment: Which Is More Worth It for Students?

The answer, it turns out, isn't as simple as:

"Boarding houses are cheaper, apartments are more expensive."

Because what needs to be compared isn't just the rental price.

But also what you actually get for that price.

Boarding houses do look cheaper

Say you find a boarding house priced at Rp1.5 million per month.

At a glance, that number looks quite light.

Compared to an apartment renting for Rp2.5 million per month, the boarding house clearly looks like the more sensible choice for a student.

But take a look at what's actually included.

Is electricity included?

Water?

Internet?

Laundry?

Parking?

Does the room already come furnished?

Are there any other additional costs?

Meanwhile, in an apartment, some facilities may already be available within the unit or the apartment complex.

So before comparing numbers, the better question to ask is:

"What exactly do I get for that Rp1.5 million and that Rp2.5 million?"

Apartments are indeed more expensive, but that doesn't mean they're not worth it

One advantage of apartments is that the facilities and environment are usually more integrated.

Depending on the project, you could get access to things like 24-hour security, parking areas, sports facilities, a swimming pool, communal spaces, and closer access to activity centers.

For students, facilities like these might sound like just extras.

But try looking at it from the perspective of daily life.

If you can exercise without having to travel far, do assignments in a shared space, or live in a location close to campus and daily necessities, that's time and travel cost you can save.

So, with an apartment, you're not just paying for a room.

You're also paying for access and convenience.

Distance to campus can change everything

This is one of the things we think matters most for students.

Imagine there are two options:

Boarding House A
Rp1.5 million/month
7 km from campus.

Apartment B
Rp2.5 million/month
2 km from campus.

In terms of rental price, the boarding house is cheaper by Rp1 million every month.

But if you need to use a vehicle every day, transportation costs and travel time also need to be factored in.

Not to mention when there are morning classes, organizational activities, group meetings, or assignments that require you to go back and forth to campus.

That Rp1 million difference might not feel that significant if the apartment makes your commute much easier.

On the other hand, if your boarding house is already close to campus, transportation costs are low, and daily necessities are easy to reach, the boarding house could be a far more efficient choice.

So it's not that an apartment or a boarding house is automatically more worth it.

What matters is how much cost and time you spend living your life from that place.

Don't forget the cost of living after moving in

The rental price is just one part.

Try making a simple list:

Boarding house:

• room rent
• electricity
• water
• internet
• laundry
• parking
• transportation
• food

Apartment:

• unit rent
• electricity
• water
• internet
• IPL/service charge if it's the tenant's responsibility
• parking
• transportation
• food

This way, you can see the actual cost.

For example, the boarding house is Rp1.5 million, but transportation and laundry costs are quite high.

Meanwhile, the Rp2.5 million apartment is already close to campus and certain facilities are available.

There's still a difference in rental price.

But the difference in cost of living might not be as large as the rental price alone suggests.

What about privacy?

This is one difference that's felt quite strongly.

In a boarding house, the level of privacy depends heavily on the type of boarding house and the owner's rules.

Some boarding houses are very relaxed.

Others have many rules regarding visiting hours, overnight guests, use of shared facilities, and even curfews.

Apartments usually offer a more private living experience since you have your own unit.

However, privacy also comes with consequences.

The more independent your living space is, the more things you need to handle yourself.

From electricity, water, cleanliness, to various household needs.

So the question comes back to your lifestyle:

Are you more comfortable with a practical living space that has many rules, or would you rather be more independent with greater privacy?

If living alone, an apartment isn't necessarily the most sensible choice

There's one strategy that's often forgotten:

sharing.

If an apartment has two bedrooms and is rented together with a friend, the cost per person can become lighter than renting alone.

For example, an apartment at Rp4 million per month split between two people.

Simply put, that becomes:

Rp2 million per person per month.

Of course, the actual cost split still needs to take into account room size, electricity, water, internet, and agreements between the occupants.

But this concept makes apartments more appealing for students who want higher facilities and privacy without bearing the entire cost alone.

However, living with a friend also requires a clear agreement.

Who pays for what?

How are the rooms divided?

What happens if one person moves out first?

Simple matters like these should be discussed before deciding to live together.

Who is a boarding house more suitable for?

A boarding house can be a more sensible choice if you:

• want a lighter upfront cost
• need a practical place to live
• are only staying temporarily
• don't want to handle too many household matters
• find a boarding house very close to campus
• don't really need extra facilities
• are comfortable sharing certain areas with other occupants

For students who prioritize efficiency and practicality, a boarding house is indeed hard to beat.

Especially if the location is strategic.

Who is an apartment more suitable for?

An apartment can be more appealing if you:

• prioritize privacy
• want more complete facilities
• need a comfortable place to study
• are living with a friend
• plan to stay for a longer period
• find a location very close to campus
• need easy access to activity centers

An apartment can also be a choice for students who have entered a busier phase of their studies and need a more comfortable space to study or work.

Don't just count the money. Count the time too.

This is probably the factor most often left out of the comparison.

Imagine you live 45 minutes from campus.

One way is 45 minutes.

The way back is 45 minutes.

That means about 1.5 hours per day just for travel.

Over 20 days of classes:

1.5 hours × 20 = 30 hours per month.

Thirty hours.

That's equivalent to more than a full day you spend just on commuting.

Now compare that with a place that only takes 10–15 minutes to reach campus.

That doesn't necessarily mean a closer distance is always worth paying more for.

But time also has value.

Especially for students who have to divide their time between classes, organizations, side jobs, social activities, and rest.

So, which one is more worth it?

If your goal is simply to find the cheapest place to live, a boarding house will most likely come out ahead.

But if what you're looking for is a combination of cost, location, privacy, facilities, travel time, and comfort, the answer can differ for each student.

A Rp1.5 million boarding house could be the best choice.

A Rp2.5 million apartment could also be the best choice.

It all depends on what you get for that price difference.

Because in the end:

"Worth it" doesn't mean the cheapest price.

Worth it means the money you spend is proportional to the benefit you experience every day.

Before choosing, try answering these 7 questions

Before paying your rent, try asking yourself:

1. What's my maximum budget every month?

2. How far is the place from campus?

3. How much are my transportation costs every month?

4. What's already included in the rental price?

5. How important is privacy to me?

6. Do I need extra facilities?

7. How long will I be staying?

The answers to these seven questions are usually enough to narrow down your options.

Because a place that's suitable for a first-semester student isn't necessarily suitable once your needs change a few years down the line.

Your place to live is also part of your study strategy

Four years of college is not a short time.

Your place to live will become part of your daily routine.

That's where you study, rest, work on assignments, receive friends, and prepare yourself for your next activities.

So don't choose based only on:

"Which one is cheapest?"

Choose based on:

"Which one makes my college life more comfortable without wrecking my finances?"

Because the right place to live isn't the most expensive one.

Nor is it the cheapest one.

But the one that best fits the life you're currently living.

Looking for Housing Near Campus?

If you're a student or a parent looking for housing in Semarang, don't just compare rental prices.

Location, campus access, facilities, environment, additional costs, and daily needs also need to be factored in.

Mirailand helps you find property options in Semarang and its surrounding areas that match your budget, location, and needs.

If you're still unsure whether to choose a boarding house, an apartment, or another type of housing, tell Mirailand about your needs.

We'll help you find an option that not only fits your budget, but also fits the way you live your daily life.

Mirailand — helping you find the right place to call home.