CSULB Apartments for Rent: Long Beach Housing Guide

Long Beach: A Thriving City for CSULB Students

Long Beach is California's seventh-largest city and home to one of the California State University system's largest campuses. For students searching for csulb apartments for rent, Long Beach offers a genuine urban environment with diverse neighborhoods, excellent transit, beaches, and a cost of living lower than nearby Los Angeles — making it one of Southern California's most livable college cities.

If you're looking for off-campus housing near Cal State Long Beach, Find off-campus housing near Long Beach State to browse current CSULB apartment listings across the city's student neighborhoods.

Long Beach has its own identity distinct from Los Angeles proper — a walkable downtown with a vibrant restaurant and arts scene, the Belmont Shore beach community, and diverse residential neighborhoods ranging from the historic Craftsman homes of Rose Park to the midcentury apartments of North Long Beach. CSULB students have genuine choices about what kind of neighborhood they want to live in.

Best Areas for CSULB Apartments for Rent

The neighborhoods immediately surrounding CSULB's campus — particularly the areas along Bellflower Boulevard, Stearns Street, and the streets north and west of the university — have the highest density of student-oriented housing. These areas offer walking and cycling access to campus and are served by Long Beach Transit's most frequent bus routes.

Belmont Shore and Belmont Heights, southeast of campus along 2nd Street and Ocean Boulevard, are popular with CSULB students who want a beach lifestyle. The 2nd Street corridor has excellent restaurants, cafes, and independent retailers. Studios and one-bedrooms here run slightly higher than campus-adjacent neighborhoods but the lifestyle is a significant draw.

East Long Beach, along Lakewood Boulevard and Spring Street, offers newer apartment complexes at prices moderately below campus-adjacent areas. The 17 Bus on Lakewood connects directly to CSULB. Bixby Knolls, a neighborhood north of downtown Long Beach, offers mid-century homes and apartments with a strong local business corridor at prices below Belmont Shore.

What CSULB Apartments for Rent Typically Cost

Long Beach is more affordable than Los Angeles proper but remains a pricey Southern California market. Studio apartments near CSULB typically run $1,400 to $1,900 per month. One-bedroom apartments range from $1,600 to $2,200 per month. Two-bedroom units split between two roommates commonly work out to $1,100 to $1,600 per person per month.

To see current CSULB apartments for rent within your budget, Find off-campus housing near Long Beach State and apply price and bedroom filters to narrow your search.

Students forming three or four person households can significantly reduce per-person costs. A three-bedroom apartment shared three ways in the campus-adjacent neighborhoods commonly runs $950 to $1,400 per person per month. Long Beach utilities are moderate — the coastal climate reduces air conditioning demand, and most Long Beach apartments include water in rent.

What to Look for in a Long Beach Lease

California tenant law provides strong protections for renters. Long Beach also has a Tenant Protection Program that covers certain rental properties and limits rent increases. Before signing a CSULB apartment lease, verify whether the property is covered under Long Beach rent control protections and understand the implications for future rent increases.

Key lease terms to review include utility responsibilities, parking availability and cost (Long Beach is car-dependent for many areas not near transit), pet policies, subletting rules if you plan to travel or take an internship away from Long Beach, and early termination fees. Have a clear understanding of what happens if a roommate needs to leave the lease early.

Getting Around Long Beach as a CSULB Student

Long Beach Transit provides bus service throughout the city, with routes connecting all major student neighborhoods to the CSULB campus. The Long Beach Passport is a free circulator bus that serves downtown Long Beach and connects to the Blue Line Metro Rail, which provides direct access to downtown Los Angeles and beyond.

CSULB is a bike-friendly campus with secured parking and active cycling culture. The Spring Street Greenway and other Long Beach bike routes extend cycling options throughout the city. Students living in Belmont Shore can bike to campus via El Dorado Regional Park paths — a scenic car-free route.

Starting Your CSULB Apartment Search

The Long Beach rental market is competitive, particularly near CSULB's campus. Fall leases often begin filling in February and March. Start your search early, have your documentation ready, and use Off-Campus Universe to find verified csulb apartments for rent across Long Beach's student-friendly neighborhoods.

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This article is provided by an independent housing resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by California State University, Long Beach.