According to Rent Café, the average rent for an apartment in Tallahassee is $1,568 and the average apartment size is 1,070 square feet.
Compared to other cities in Florida, Tallahassee is considered to be on the lower end of the rental range. Despite this, the increase in rent prices has impacted both students and residents in the area.
Manoshka Germain, a fourth-year accounting student at Florida A&M, said the rising rent prices have impacted her. “Due to the increase, I’ve had an increase in my overall expenses, and I have to be more strategic about my necessities,” she said.
Her rent has increased by $200 in an apartment she shares with two other people. Splitting the increase with her roommates, she pays an additional $66 a month. Germain said she knows others at her job who have seen an increase in their rent prices and the effect that it’s had on them.
Germain said, “It hasn’t impacted me drastically, but I know a few individuals who I’ve come across that experienced the same issue and are struggling to keep up with their rent.”
Though she’s received an increase in her overall rent, Germain has set herself up to be ready for any changes in her finances. “I’ve always been prepared for the unexpected, and I pride myself in making sure that I’m prepared at all times,” she said.
Overall, due to the increase, Germain’s seen an influx in her expenses and has found that she has to be careful with her planning and necessities.
Elijah Townsend-Avella, a transfer student at FAMU, described how he’s also been impacted by the increase in rent prices. Currently living at the Boulevard, Townsend-Avela has seen his rent go up by around $60, and his utilities aren’t included. Due to the increase, Townsend-Avela plans to move to a more affordable apartment next semester.
He’s also worried about how other students will be affected as well. Townsend-Avella said, “With the recent price of rent increasing, I believe it would be very difficult for most students who live off campus to enjoy themselves due to the fact that they have to find a way to get the rent money by a certain day every month.”
He’s also worried for those who may have to experience life changes in order to pay for their rent.
“Most students may be put in situations where they are no longer social because they have to work a lot to make rent, and other students without vehicles suffer the most because they don’t have reliable transportation and have to find a job,” Townsend-Avella said.
As the housing applications for next semester open this week, we will see if some current students’ struggles to find decent and affordable housing comes to pass. Inflation also plays a role in the rising rent prices, and students who aren’t as lucky to receive on-campus housing may struggle with their search for apartments next semester.