Neighborhood and Housing
Off-Campus Housing
Most students live within a three-mile radius of the campus in the cities of Medford and Somerville, however some of our students choose to commute from as far as our neighboring New England states!
It is important to note that most leases in Greater Boston are on a September 1 lease cycle. Most new and veteran Bostonians find it easiest to find an apartment if they start looking for a new lease in May or June.
- Per person share of 2+ bedroom house (average rent in Medford/Somerville): $700 - $1,000, not including utilities
- One-bedroom or studio apartment (average rent in Medford/Somerville): $1,450
Many students enrolling at the SMFA choose to live in the Fenway neighborhood, closer to the SMFA campus.
- Per person share of 2+ bedroom house (average rent in Fenway): $1,250
- One-bedroom or studio apartment (average rent in Fenway): $1,700
The Office of Residential Life provides more information and resources for students seeking off-campus housing. This webinar provides more information about Residential Life and how they support graduate students.
On-Campus Housing
All full-time first year graduate students are eligible to apply for transitional on-campus graduate student housing. A limited number of rooms are available for graduate students, located in three buildings on the southern edges of the campus. Each residence has a common room or lounge and shared bathrooms. One kitchen is available in each house and is shared with all of the occupants of each house.
There are currently limited available spaces in graduate housing.
- All residence rooms are single units coming equipped with a twin XL bed frame/mattress, desk and desk chair, closet/wardrobe, and drawer set.
- Please see the Residential Life & Learning's site for room rates, which vary depending on the room size.
- Eligible graduate students may apply for housing through the Residential Life Office by submitting an application via the Housing Portal (accessible via SIS).
Please note that Tufts cannot provide housing for couples or children.
Explore Tufts’ Neighborhoods
Tufts is in a unique position to provide graduate students with the vibrancy of metropolitan Boston and the close-knit on-campus community of the Medford campus. Graduate students enjoy easy access to the bustling cities of Cambridge and Boston. Additionally, the surrounding neighborhoods of Medford and Somerville afford students with a myriad of cultural, artistic, and community-friendly events and activities.
If you haven't had a chance to visit Tufts, take a virtual tour of our campuses and Davis Square.
Medford and Somerville
With weekly farmers markets, regular live music shows, and a variety of festivals and other cultural events, Somerville and Medford have much to offer in Tufts’ back yard. Annual events in Medford/Somerville include: PorchFest, SomerStreets, Fluff Fest, and the HONK! Festival.
Points of Interest
While there are many resources on campus – including dining, banking, copying, and mailing – dozens more are available to students within one mile of campus.
Boston
With students, professors, professionals, and families moving to Boston from all over the world, on any given day the city is host to dozens of events for any interest. Browse a publicly curated calendar of events and the Boston city calendar to see some of what’s happening today.
All Tufts students, faculty, and staff can gain free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston with their Tufts ID. Many local public libraries provide discounted passes to other Boston museums such as the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Boston Children's Museum, and other attractions. Browse the Somerville, the Medford, Cambridge, or the Boston Public Library museum pass options.
New England
While it is the largest city within the New England region, Greater Boston is certainly not the only attraction in the Northeast. Tufts is within a three hour drive of some of the best beaches, skiing and snow boarding, and cultural sites in the United States. Tufts students have incredible access to unique sites and events throughout the year.
Some year-round highlights include visiting Acadia National Park during the summer or early fall, taking a trip throughout the New England countryside to see the leaves change or going apple picking during the fall, visiting Magic Mountain for skiing and snowboarding during the winter and early spring, and visiting Cape Cod or another of the many surrounding beaches during the summer.
In accordance with both federal and state law, the university maintains information concerning current security policies and procedures and prepares an annual crime report concerning crimes committed within the geographical limits of the university. Upon request to the Office of Public Safety, 617.627.3030, the university will provide such information to any prospective student. The report is also available online.