Apartments Near Rice University
Elite private research university with 8,000 students and 4,000 faculty/staff, bordered by the Texas Medical Center. Heavily wooded campus is one of the prettiest in Texas.
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Rice Village is walking distance. Museum District is 5 min. Montrose is 10 min. Many grad students bike from these neighborhoods. 4 neighborhoods give you a realistic commute, and they're each a different lifestyle: Rice Village (Academic & Charming), Museum District (Cultural & Green), Montrose (Eclectic & Artsy).
Rice Village — Academic & Charming
Average rent $1,200-$2,100. Walk Score 82/100. Rice Village is a walkable shopping and dining district adjacent to Rice University. The area has a youthful, academic energy with independent bookstores, coffee shops, and international restaurants. Apartments here attract graduate students, university staff, and young professionals who want proximity to both the Medical Center and the Museum District. It is one of the most pedestrian-friendly parts of Houston. For Rice University commuters specifically: Rice University is on the local employer list. Best for: Students, Academics, Walkers.
Museum District — Cultural & Green
Average rent $1,300-$2,400. Walk Score 80/100. Houston's Museum District is home to 19 museums, many of them free, including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Contemporary Arts Museum. Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo anchor the green space. METRORail runs through the district, connecting it to downtown and the Medical Center. Apartments here appeal to culture lovers and medical professionals who want a walkable, enriching neighborhood. For Rice University commuters specifically: Rice University is on the local employer list. Best for: Culture lovers, Medical professionals, Students.
Montrose — Eclectic & Artsy
Average rent $1,200-$2,200. Walk Score 78/100. Montrose is Houston's most eclectic neighborhood, a vibrant mix of art galleries, vintage shops, dive bars, and upscale restaurants. The area has a strong LGBTQ+ community and a creative, open-minded culture. Apartments range from charming older complexes with courtyard pools to sleek new mid-rises. Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel provide world-class art for free. If you want character and culture over cookie-cutter suburban living, Montrose is the place. For Rice University commuters specifically: the drive is straightforward, no surprise toll roads. Best for: Creatives, Art lovers, LGBTQ+ community.
Upper Kirby — Polished & Central
Average rent $1,400-$2,600. Walk Score 76/100. Upper Kirby is a polished, central Houston neighborhood that borders River Oaks and the Galleria area. The Kirby Drive corridor is packed with restaurants, from upscale sushi to casual brunch spots. Levy Park provides a beautifully landscaped green space with events throughout the year. Apartments here range from mid-range to luxury, and the location makes commuting to the Medical Center, Galleria, or downtown straightforward. For Rice University commuters specifically: the drive is straightforward, no surprise toll roads. Best for: Professionals, Couples, Park lovers.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the closest neighborhood to Rice University?
Rice Village is the closest to Rice University. Rice Village is walking distance. Museum District is 5 min. Montrose is 10 min. Many grad students bike from these neighborhoods.
Can I afford to live near Rice University?
Rent ranges across the 4 neighborhoods within commuting distance run from $1200 to $2600 for a 1BR. Almost every budget has options.
Is the commute reliable?
Rice Village is walking distance. Museum District is 5 min. Montrose is 10 min. Many grad students bike from these neighborhoods. Times can double during rush hour (7-9 AM, 4-6 PM), so ask your apartment locator about traffic patterns before signing.
Does Key Finders Locating help with Rice University commuters?
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Last reviewed 2026-04-07 · Key Finders Locating, a TREC-licensed free apartment locator (Bosah Group ID 9012866)