§ UCLA Student Housing · Greater Westside

Where do Bruins actually live, and what does it really cost?

Six real neighborhoods UCLA students choose, ranked from closest to campus to most affordable. Adjust income, hours, and roommates to see your monthly picture.

§01Pick your neighborhood

Search live listings in Westwood right now on Craigslist.

Getting to UCLA from this neighborhood

§02Your situation

Job 1

Hours / week~$17 base + ~$3 tips/hr 25 hrs

Job 2 (optional)

Hours / week~$20/hr, city pool 8 hrs

UCLA credits12 = full-time 12 credits

Roommatessplits rent + utilities 2 roommates

Trader Joe's / weekgrocery budget $75

Transit days / week0 = Bruin U-Pass free 5 days

§03Your week at a glance

Work hrs / wk

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School hrs / wk

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class + study

Total committed

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of 112 waking hrs

Free time / wk

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§04Monthly money flow

Income vs. expenses

Take-home income—

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Rent (your share)—

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Groceries · Trader Joe's—

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Utilities (your share)—

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Bus / train (TAP card)—

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Phone plan—

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Monthly income

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Monthly expenses

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Surplus / deficit

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Choose a neighborhood above to see your monthly picture.

§05Monthly cost breakdown

§06All six neighborhoods compared

Neighborhood	Rent share	Transit	Total exp.	Surplus	To campus

§ Notes & sources

Starbucks ~$17/hr + ~$3/hr tips (LA 2025, includes estimated tips). Lifeguard ~$20/hr (City of LA Parks & Rec). Take-home uses ~22% effective rate (federal + CA + FICA). UCLA 12 credits ≈ 12 hrs class + 24 hrs study. Rent figures are median 2025 roommate-share estimates (Zillow, ApartmentList, Tripalink, MooHousing). Metro fare caps at $5/day · $18/wk on TAP card (~$72/mo daily commuter). UCLA Bruin U-Pass = fare-free Metro, Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus for enrolled undergrads — set transit days to 0 if you have one. Phone ~$50/mo. No car assumed.