Choosing between a CROUS student room and a private studio apartment directly impacts your student budget. With an average monthly budget ranging from €400 to €800 depending on the city, housing represents 50% to 70% of a student’s expenses. Beyond rent, home insurance is mandatory in both cases, though its cost and coverage vary depending on the type of accommodation.
In short: CROUS room or private studio, what are the key takeaways?
- CROUS is unbeatable on price: Rent ranges from €150 to €500/month with utilities included, compared to €500 to €1,200 for a private studio. After deducting housing benefits (APL), some students pay as little as €50 to €250.
- Home insurance is mandatory in both cases: Expect to pay €20 to €70/year for a CROUS room and €20 to €120/year for a private studio, both requiring the same minimum coverage (tenant liability / risques locatifs).
- Basic coverage does not protect your personal belongings: Mandatory tenant liability coverage protects the landlord’s property, not your laptop, phone, or clothes.
- Scholarship holders enjoy decisive advantages with CROUS: Priority allocation and no guarantor required, unlike the private market (which involves agency fees and a security deposit).
- Compare the real cost after benefits: The gap between CROUS and private housing narrows once housing benefits are deducted and utility charges are added (€60 to €150/month in extra charges for a private studio).
- Insurance perspective: The policy from Assurances Étudiants by ADH is a comprehensive home insurance plan (assurance multirisque habitation MRH) starting from the Essential package (from €20.95/year), which automatically includes €3,500 in personal contents coverage per room.
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CROUS room or private studio: what is the actual budget?
How much does a CROUS residence room cost?
CROUS university residences offer rents ranging between €150 and €500/month:
- In Paris, expect €300 to €500 for a CROUS room or studio.
- In cities like Lyon, Lille, Rennes, Marseille, or Montpellier, rent ranges from €200 to €400.
- In the broader Île-de-France region, rooms range between €150 and €250.
These rates generally include water, electricity, heating, and internet.
How much does a private studio cost?
On the private rental market, rents reach €500 to €1,200/month in major cities.
Overall:
- In Paris: between €800 and €1,200
- In major cities: between €500 and €800
- In smaller towns: between €400 and €600
In a private student residence, a furnished studio ranges from €500 to €950. The private sector is therefore significantly more expensive than CROUS.
What is the impact of housing benefits (APL) on your budget?
In 2026, students receive an average of €100 to €250 in housing benefits per month depending on their situation.
In CROUS accommodation, the benefit is often paid directly to the housing authority, automatically reducing your out-of-pocket rent expense. After deducting housing aid, some students pay as little as €50 to €250. The exact amount depends on your income, rent, and city: running an official simulation before signing will help clarify your budget.
What hidden costs should you expect in the private sector?
For a private studio, add €60 to €150 in monthly utilities: around €40 for electricity, €25 for internet, and €30 to €50 for heating, depending on your consumption. Agency fees and security deposits represent additional initial costs that do not exist in CROUS residences.
Which insurance is mandatory based on your accommodation type?
Insurance for a CROUS room
Under Article 7-g of the French Law of July 6, 1989, you are legally required to take out home insurance for your CROUS room. The rent paid to CROUS does not include this insurance. You must provide an insurance certificate (attestation d’assurance) before receiving your keys, and annually thereafter upon request from your residence management.
Without a certificate, CROUS can deny you access to the unit or terminate your lease. They may also take out insurance on your behalf and pass the cost on to you, with an added surcharge of up to 10%.
Insurance for a private studio
This legal requirement also applies to private studios, whether rented unfurnished or furnished. You must present your certificate when signing the lease, and once a year upon the landlord’s request. In the event of non-insurance, the landlord can terminate your lease or purchase coverage on your behalf with a surcharge of up to 10%.
What are the minimum coverage requirements?
Tenant liability coverage (garantie des risques locatifs) is the mandatory legal minimum. It covers:
- Fire and explosion
- Water damage
- Tenant civil liability
Good to know:
Minimum legal insurance only protects the landlord’s property. It covers neither your personal belongings in case of burglary nor damages you might cause to others in daily life. To address this exposure, it is strongly advised to extend your coverage (personal liability, protection for IT and electronic equipment).
Maëva, Personal Lines Insurance Advisor at Assurances Étudiants by ADH
At Assurances Étudiants by ADH, our policy provides comprehensive home insurance (multirisque habitation) starting from the Essential tier: zero-deductible tenant liability and coverage for neighbor/third-party claims are automatically included, directly meeting residence requirements.
How much does insurance cost: CROUS vs. studio?
For a CROUS room, expect €20 to €70/year depending on floor space and chosen options. In the private sector, a studio generally costs between €3 and €10/month, or €36 to €120/year. As a benchmark, the Essential formula from Assurances Étudiants by ADH starts at €20.95/year while delivering full comprehensive home insurance coverage.
See also: How much does CROUS room insurance really cost?
What does your home insurance actually cover?
- Tenant risks / Risques locatifs (Legal minimum): Covers the dwelling against fire, explosion, and water damage to protect the landlord, but does not reimburse your personal property or damage caused to neighbors.
- Personal property: Requires comprehensive home insurance (multirisque habitation MRH) to protect your belongings, with coverage limits around €3,500 per room.
- Theft: Applies in cases of forced entry or robbery (€800 to €1,000 allowance per room), but generally excludes cash and jewelry.
- Personal liability (Responsabilité civile vie privée): Covers damage you cause to third parties in daily life, but does not cover damages caused to furniture belonging to the landlord.
- Deductibles and exclusions: An out-of-pocket expense remains after a claim (often €70 to €150), and intentional damage or damage caused by gross negligence is systematically excluded.
CROUS or private studio: how to choose based on your profile?
You are a scholarship holder on a tight budget
Scholarship students receive priority allocation for CROUS housing. If your total monthly budget is under €800, a CROUS room is the most rational choice. Another decisive advantage: no guarantor is required, unlike the private market. Apply early even if odds seem slim, and activate a free rental guarantee scheme like Visale in parallel.
You have valuable equipment to protect
For students storing bulky or expensive equipment (architecture projects, musical instruments, photography gear), space and insurance caps become critical criteria. Ensure your policy covers your valuables, adding a dedicated option if necessary.
You want greater independence
A private studio offers more freedom regarding hours, visitors, and organization. In shared housing (colocation), you get more space for a comparable cost per person.
Criteria to make your final decision
Always compare the CROUS rent after housing benefits with private rent after benefits and utilities are included. The actual difference is often smaller than it first appears.
Comparison Table: CROUS Room vs. Private Studio
| Criterion | CROUS Room | Private Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Rent in Paris | €300 to €500 | €800 to €1,200 |
| Rent in Île-de-France | €150 to €250 | €600 to €900 |
| Rent in regional areas | €200 to €400 (major cities) | €500 to €800 (major cities), €400 to €600 (smaller towns) |
| Utilities | Included (water, electricity, heating, internet) | Extra: €60 to €150/month (Electricity ~€40, Internet ~€25, Heating €30–€50) |
| Housing benefits (APL) | €100 to €250/month depending on situation | €100 to €250/month depending on situation |
| Rent after housing benefits | €50 to €250 | Variable |
| Agency fees | None | Yes (upfront cost) |
| Security deposit | Not required | Yes (upfront cost) |
| Guarantor required | No | Yes |
| Mandatory insurance | Yes (Law of July 6, 1989, Art. 7-g) | Yes (unfurnished or furnished) |
| Insurance cost | €20 to €70/year | €20 to €120/year (€1 to €10/month) |
| Insurance certificate | Prior to key handover + annually | Upon lease signing + annually |
| Penalty for lack of insurance | Denied entry or lease termination + policy taken out by landlord (up to 10% markup) | Lease termination or policy taken out by landlord (up to 10% markup) |
| Priority allocation | Priority for scholarship holders | Not applicable |
| Independence | Less freedom | More freedom |
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Conclusion
Choosing between a CROUS room and a private studio comes down to your budget and personal priorities. CROUS rooms remain financially unbeatable, especially for scholarship holders, with rents dropping as low as €50 after housing benefits. Private studios offer greater independence but cost two to three times more. In all cases, home insurance remains mandatory and ranges between €20 and €120/year depending on your accommodation and coverage needs.
