Top 5 Affordable Neighbourhoods for Students in Leiden
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Public Relations
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Planning on moving to Leiden for your studies? Excellent choice!
Here is our guide to help you choose the right neighbourhood to live in while studying in Leiden.
Leiden center.
Leiden is known as one of the Netherlands top student cities with actually 10% of the inhabitants being students. It presents a great mix of academic excellence, a lively international community, and beautiful historic canals. It is easy to get around and a well connected city with the oldest university in the Netherlands: Leiden University, which ranks among the top in the world and provides a broad range of programs and a strong research department. Leiden is also a short distance from cities such as Den Haag, home to The Hague University of Applied Sciences. Because of its high population of students the city also offers an international feel and has many student associations for music, sports, and social clubs, helping students build a large network.
However, with rising student housing demand, choosing the right neighbourhood in Leiden can impact your rent, commute, and overall student experience.
Why does your neighbourhood matter?
Where you live affects everything: your daily commute to your University, access to affordable supermarkets, student bars, libraries, gyms, and your proximity to the city center. But with the cost of living in the Netherlands increasing, it has become more and more challenging to find a budget-friendly student house in Leiden.
So, to help you out, we have selected the Top 5 Most Affordable Student Neighbourhoods in Leiden. We made sure to include areas that offer safety, comfort and plenty of student friendly benefits.
Top 5 Affordable Neighbourhoods:
1. Leiden Zuidwest (Leiden Southwest)
Affordable, Residential & Great for Students
Aerial shot of Leiden Zuidwest gardens and apartment buildings, The Netherlands.
Leiden Zuidwest is known for its comparatively affordable student rooms and spacious apartment blocks, making it a great area for students on a budget.
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Average rent: For shared rooms the average rent is around €500–€850 or sometimes even between €350–€750 if you look hard enough. Meanwhile studios range from €800–€1100.
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Transport: 8 minute bike ride to Leiden central station, 10–15 minutes bike ride to most Leiden University faculties and around a 10 minute bike ride to Bio Science Park Leiden.
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Local perks: Student vibe with numerous student activities, gyms, supermarkets, budget-friendly restaurants, parks, and strong bus connections.
Why it’s affordable: Being located outside of the historic city center, the rent prices are lower, making it ideal for students seeking cheap housing in Leiden without sacrificing convenience.
2. Leiden Noord (Leiden North)
Calm, Diverse & Student-Friendly
Photograph of Leiden Noords street and canal.
Leiden Noord is perfect for students looking for a vibrant multicultural environment with great value housing, offering more affordable rents compared to the city center.
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Average rent: You can find rent prices to be around €400–€700 for rooms in shared housing and around €800–€1200 per month for a studio.
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Transport: 10 minutes by bike to Leiden Central Station and a 10 minute bike to Leiden University.
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Local perks: Quieter atmosphere, Local markets, cafés, gyms, multicultural food spots, and beautiful parks such as Van der Werf Park.
Why it’s affordable: Since this is a quieter area, there are less tourists and less tourism means cheaper rental prices while still being close to campus. Although it may be quiet it is located close to Leiden Central, so you can easily have a fun night out. This is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Leiden for international students.
3. Stevenshof
Modern, Peaceful & Ideal for Science Students
Stevenshof parks, Leiden.
Stevenshof is especially popular among students studying at the Leiden Bio Science Park, offering modern buildings and quiet streets. It is a very practical place to live because of its amenities like shops, schools and easy commutes.
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Average rent: You can find a room for €400–€700, and a studio for €700–€1000+ per month.
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Transport: 10 minutes by train or 15 min by bike to Leiden Central and a 15 minute bike ride to Leiden University.
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Local perks: Access to green parks such as Het Plantsoen and Stevenshof parks, supermarkets, bike-friendly routes, modern housing and many shops such as the Stevensbloem Shopping Center.
Why it’s affordable: The modern suburban layout offers value-for-money student housing away from the busy city center. It is budget friendly for students who are looking for a cheaper and quieter alternative to living in the city center.
4. Merenwijk
Green, Calm & Budget-Friendly
Merenwijk Leiden greenparks and sky aerial of the neighbourhood.
Merenwijk offers spacious homes, green surroundings, and lower rent and is perfect for students who enjoy quiet neighborhoods.
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Average rent: Average rent for a room is €400–€700 (and maybe even €350 if you look hard enough), while a small apartment costs between €700-€950 per month.
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Transport: 10–15 minutes by bike to Leiden University and a 10 minute bike ride to Leiden Central.
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Local perks: Parks, lakes, sports facilities such as the University Sports Center (USC) which offers a student membership, Merenwijk shopping center and small cafes.
Why it’s affordable: Its distance from central Leiden helps keep rents lower. Many students choose Merenwijk for comfortable shared student apartments with large common areas.
5. Boshuizen
Affordable, Quiet & Great for Shared Housing
Boshuizen Leiden.
Boshuizen is a peaceful and budget-friendly neighborhood located in the southern part of Leiden. It’s especially appealing to students who are looking for affordable shared apartments and larger living spaces compared to the compact housing in the city center. The area offers a calm environment, making it ideal for students who prefer a quieter lifestyle while still being close to essential amenities.
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Average rent: A room ranges around €350–€800 a month while a studio is around €600–€900 per month. If you are looking for an apartment expect prices of €900–€1200 per month.
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Transport: About 10–15 minutes by bike to Leiden University, Leiden Lammenschans Station, and the city center.
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Local perks: Convenient supermarkets, parks, affordable restaurants, gyms, and easy access to bus routes.
Why it’s affordable: Because it sits outside Leiden’s historic district, Boshuizen offers more space for lower rent, making it one of the city’s most cost-effective student areas. The neighbourhood includes many residential buildings suitable for student house shares, which helps keep monthly living costs manageable. It’s also known for its relaxed residential vibe and is perfect for focused study and comfortable living.
Final Thoughts:
Make Your Move with RentSwap
Leiden offers a wide variety of student associations and student-friendly neighbourhoods, from lively multicultural areas to peaceful residential districts. The key is finding verified and affordable student housing that suits your lifestyle, budget, and study routine.
That’s where we come in. With RentSwap, you can find verified student housing in the Netherlands without scams, fake listings, or endless application stress.
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