Neighborhood and Housing

Off-Campus Housing

Most graduate 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

The Office of Residential Life provides more information and resources for students seeking off-campus housing. This Residential Life webinar provides more information about the office and how it supports graduate students.

Tufts Affiliated Housing

All full-time first year graduate students are eligible to apply for Tufts affiliated housing through Walnut Hill Properties. A limited number of rooms are available for graduate students, located within walking distance of campus. Each room includes basic, dorm style furniture and is available for an 11-month lease August through June.

Please see the Residential Life & Learning's site for room rates, which vary depending on the room size.
Eligible graduate students may fill out an interest form for Walnut Hill Properties.

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.

Explore our favorite places

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 annual security report is also available online.