El Paso is a uniquely charming city with a rich culture and history. As one of the top ten largest cities in Texas, it offers plenty of educational, economic, and entertainment opportunities, but without the overly heavy traffic you'll get in megacities such as Houston and Dallas. I've always enjoyed taking my kids out and about town, visiting places such as the El Paso Zoo, Ally B Gators, and Armijo Aquatic Center, but the city isn't just ideal for families. It also has much to offer students who are looking for quality educational opportunities with affordable nearby housing. My name is Lori, and as your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for El Paso, Texas, I'm excited to introduce you to some of the top neighborhoods to rent near major colleges and universities in town.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in El Paso
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $866 | $595 | $1,566 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,048 | $395 | $2,360 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,268 | $595 | $3,163 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,539 | $852 | $4,062 |
4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,712 | $969 | $3,600 |
5 Bedroom Apartments | $1,505 | $1,318 | $1,850 |
University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is one of the top 1,000 public universities in the United States, and one of the nation's top research universities. Even so, tuition isn't nearly as high as it is at other large universities in Texas. UTEP offers nearly 170 undergraduate, graduate, and online degree options in fields ranging from education to criminal justice, and is known for providing a great curriculum, stellar teachers and faculty members, and a diverse, vibrant campus. Its library is an ideal place to think, study, or simply kick back and relax with a good book. UTEP is conveniently located right next to downtown El Paso, where there are plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and cultural sites.
Downtown El Paso
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $787 | $650 | $900 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $891 | $395 | $1,525 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,237 | $750 | $2,750 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,215 | $1,000 | $1,400 |
Downtown El Paso may not be the very cheapest neighborhood close to UTEP, but rent prices are still quite reasonable. What's more, the area has a vibrancy and unique appeal that makes it well worth the stay. Modern offices and restaurants mix with older mom-and-pop shops and eateries, and there are lots of museums around for those who are interested in history and art. Many people who live there say the area has a sense of community and neighbors are friendly, which aligns with my personal experience interacting with people around the city. You can walk pretty much anywhere, including to and from the university, in good weather. By car, it's about five to ten minutes; public transport can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

Golden Hill
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $806 | $620 | $1,028 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $912 | $395 | $1,600 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,182 | $750 | $2,750 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,355 | $1,000 | $2,200 |
Golden Hill is home to many clinics, hospitals, and doctor's offices, including the Hospitals of Providence (Sierra Campus), PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of El Paso, and Kindred Hospital El Paso. This isn't surprising considering the fact that UTEP partners with medical centers in town to help those who are studying nursing get on-the-job training and experience. The University of El Paso is within walking distance and public transport is available too, but it's faster to either drive or ride a bike to and from school. Scenic Drive, which runs across the northern edge of the neighborhood, is well worth the drive as the views are unparalleled. I10, which runs near the southeastern edge of Golden Hill, makes it easy to get to any part of town, but you'll likely want to avoid it during rush hours.
Mission Hills South
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $929 | $595 | $1,499 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,027 | $675 | $2,360 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,322 | $694 | $2,386 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,533 | $852 | $3,100 |
4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,597 | $969 | $2,000 |
Mission Hills South is a calm residential neighborhood surrounding Mission Hills Park, a charming, well-kept area with walking trails, a playground, and plenty of spots to relax and eat a picnic lunch. Public transportation is available, but it can take just as much time to get a bus to UTEP as it would to walk. Driving and even biking are your best bet for getting to and from school, which is only a couple of miles away from Mission Hills South. Getting around to other parts of town, however, isn't a problem; North Mesa Street, one of El Paso's largest streets, runs right along the western side of the neighborhood. The Hoppy Monk with its multicultural food and many beers on tap, is on the neighborhood's northwestern corner, and other nearby eateries offer cuisines ranging from Mexican to Japanese.

El Paso Community College (Valle Verde Campus)
El Paso Community College (EPCC) is a mix of high school graduates, adults who want to earn a degree, and even international students. Niche lists it as one of the top five community colleges in Texas and many students say that the teachers are friendly, helpful, and genuinely interested in helping people succeed. Tuition is reasonable, class schedules are flexible, and many classes are online to make it easy for anyone to further their studies. EPCC has various campuses throughout El Paso, but the Valle Verde one is the largest, most centrally located one, and it comes with amenities such as a large library and child care centers.
Stonehaven
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $754 | $595 | $958 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $923 | $682 | $1,200 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,121 | $699 | $1,470 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,393 | $1,275 | $1,640 |
4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,535 | $1,245 | $1,875 |
Stonehaven is a small neighborhood a couple of miles north of EPCC's Valle Verde Campus. It's mostly residential, but there is a large shopping center by the I10, near the southern end of the neighborhood, and Cielo Vista Mall is on the neighborhood's western border. There aren't any parks in the neighborhood, but there are a few very close by, including Travis White Park, Vista del Valle Park, and Palm Grove Park. Public transportation is available for those who don't have a car, but it's not ideal if you're in a hurry to get somewhere.

Hacienda Heights
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $772 | $618 | $829 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $912 | $650 | $1,200 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,099 | $650 | $1,470 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,329 | $985 | $1,640 |
4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,407 | $1,025 | $1,875 |
If you're looking for a calm, residential neighborhood within walking distance of El Paso Community College, Hacienda Heights is sure to please. At the same time, there is no shortage of amenities near the neighborhood for the times you want to hang out with friends or relax on your own. Chapoteo Water Park is a great place to cool off during the hot summer months, and it's right on the neighborhood's northern edge. Books are Gems is just a short drive away; our family has great memories of getting free books for the kids from the children's section and cheap books for older teens/adults from the large bookstore.
Cielo Vista South
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $806 | $595 | $1,566 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $920 | $675 | $1,200 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,173 | $750 | $1,470 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,378 | $1,275 | $1,640 |
4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,680 | $1,485 | $1,875 |
Cielo Vista is safe, affordable, and has a pleasant vibe. It's mostly residential, but the large Cielo Vista Mall located at the southern end offers fast access to a movie theater, small shops, department stores, and restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world. If you're in the mood for a walk in the park, I've always enjoyed the nearby Vista del Valle park; it's small but well-kept and offers a basketball court, playground, and walking/running paths. The José Cisneros Cielo Vista Library, on the other end of the park, is also worth the visit if you want to kick back and relax with a good book. The I10 and major roads such as Viscount Boulevard and Hawkins Boulevard make it easy to get around town and EPCC is about a 10-minute drive away.

Texas Tech University Health and Science Center
If you're searching for a field where you're unlikely to ever be out of a job, the healthcare industry may be just the place for you. Job opportunities range from nursing assistant to surgeon to healthcare administrator, and your line of work doesn't just earn a salary but actually saves lives. Texas Tech University in El Paso specializes in medical training for aspiring doctors, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare professionals, with offerings that include accelerated bachelor degree courses and graduate degree courses. There are online and hybrid class options to allow students to study on their own time, and students give the university good reviews for providing a strict yet supportive learning environment. Furthermore, ongoing training is available to enable those who've already gotten a diploma to keep up with new medical breakthroughs and technologies.
Washington Park
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $725 | $595 | $850 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $843 | $600 | $1,525 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $957 | $750 | $1,175 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,475 | $1,000 | $2,200 |
Washington Park is an ideal place to live for several reasons. It's within walking distance of Texas Tech University, which makes it easy to get to and from classes even if there's a lot of traffic. It's close to downtown, so there's no shortage of things to see and do. In fact, you can easily get from Washington Park to just about anywhere in El Paso as the I10, 54, and 62 run around the neighborhood's borders. Even a quick stroll across the border doesn't take long; the neighborhood is only about a ten-minute drive from Puente Internacional Cordova de las Américas, the bridge dividing Mexico from the United States. Our family always enjoyed the cheap yet great food on the other side of the border, and it's amazing to see all the unique crafts vendors offer on the bridge, but I would strongly recommend leaving the car on the U.S. side and walking to and from Mexico, as it can take several hours to get through the long lines of cars to re-enter the country. On the other hand, if you're looking for something that is very close by, the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Garden are right inside the neighborhood. Our family went many years ago and had a great time, but it's not just a good spot for kids. Adults visiting on their own or with friends are sure to have a blast as well.
San Juan
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $828 | $595 | $1,566 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $820 | $675 | $1,100 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $939 | $750 | $1,145 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,245 | $1,245 | $1,245 |
San Juan is a small residential neighborhood on the eastern side of Texas Tech University. It takes about five minutes to drive to campus, but you can walk there in about half an hour. Public transportation is available in the neighborhood but only along El Paisano Drive, which runs along San Juan's western edge. There aren't any restaurants and stores in the neighborhood itself, but there are plenty close by. Fox Plaza Shopping Center is right on San Juan's southwestern edge, offering an array of places to shop and eat. The Sunday flea market right behind the center is well worth a visit; we've been there a few times over the years and there are always plenty of good deals. You just have to be careful to avoid getting too hot when shopping during the summer.
Lincoln Park
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Studio Apartments | $847 | $595 | $1,566 |
1 Bedroom Apartments | $847 | $575 | $1,600 |
2 Bedroom Apartments | $912 | $725 | $1,098 |
3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,850 | $1,500 | $2,200 |
Lincoln Park is a residential neighborhood with easy access to amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, and shops. Albertsons and La Michoacana are on the northern side of the neighborhood, as is the Chelmont Center shopping mall. Loretto Park on the western side of the neighborhood is a great place to take a walk or jog. Texas Tech University is just a short walk, drive, or bike ride away. There is no public transportation option from Lincoln Park to the university campus, but just south of the university there are bus stops running along El Paisano Drive, making it easy to get around town even if you don't own your own vehicle.
A quality education can open multiple doors of opportunity in just about any field or industry, and El Paso can be an ideal place to get that education at a good price. It is affordable and friendly and many reputable community colleges and universities offer degree options in just about any field imaginable. If you're looking for a place with a sense of community and appreciation of diversity, this vibrant city is sure to please. Even so, not every neighborhood in town will meet your needs or suit your tastes. I hope sharing a bit of what I've learned about the town and my personal experiences there will help you pick the spot that's the best fit for you.