Finding Accommodation in Oxford: The Complete Guide (2026)
Oxford is expensive. Let's not pretend otherwise.
But after analyzing every student property in the city, I've found there ARE affordable options - you just need to know where to look.
The Numbers
Here's what I found across 20 verified properties:
- Cheapest: £152/week (Student Castle Oxford)
- Average: £254/week
- Most expensive: £351/week
💡 Reality Check
Oxford is 2-3x more expensive than northern cities like Sheffield (£104 avg) or Leicester (£148 avg). Budget accordingly.
Best Value Options
1. Student Castle Oxford (from £152/week)
The cheapest I found. Modern PBSA, bills included. About 13 min walk to the city centre.
2. Cambridge Terrace (from £155/week)
Close to University of Oxford main site. 8 minute walk to the Bodleian.
3. West Way Square (from £175/week)
Slightly further out but excellent transport links. Good for Oxford Brookes students.
Areas to Consider
City Centre (Carfax area)
- Walking distance to everything
- Most expensive (£250-350/week)
- Best for University of Oxford students
Headington
- Oxford Brookes territory
- Slightly cheaper (£180-280/week)
- 15-20 min bus to city centre
Cowley Road
- Budget-friendly area
- Great food scene
- 15 min cycle to centre
Providers in Oxford
| Provider | Rating | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Student Castle | 3.2★ | 1 |
| iQ Student | 3.1★ | 2 |
| Unite Students | 2.7★ | 1 |
| Host | 4.0★ | 2 |
| Collegiate | 3.3★ | 1 |
My Honest Take
Oxford accommodation is expensive because:
- Limited supply (it's a small city)
- High demand (two major universities)
- No large-scale PBSA developments due to planning restrictions
If budget is tight, consider:
- Living in Headington (10-15% cheaper)
- Sharing with other students in private housing
- Looking at properties in nearby towns with good bus links
Browse all Oxford properties →
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