Student Housing Beds To Unit Calculator

Bed density is the key economic metric in purpose-built student housing.

Unit count

Beds per unit

Rent per bed / mo

Occupancy %

Lease duration months

Annual revenue

$5,752,800

Total beds

600

Revenue per unit

$28,764

How the math works

Beds = units × beds/unit. Revenue = beds × rent × months × occupancy.

200 × 3 = 600 beds × $850 × 12 × 94% = $5.75M annual revenue. $28,750 per unit.

How to Use

Enter units count.
Enter avg beds per unit.
Enter rent per bed / mo.
Enter occupancy %.
Enter lease duration months.
Read annual revenue + density metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why beds not units?

Student housing leases by the bed, not by the unit. A 3BR apartment with 3 individual leases = 3 beds × $800/mo = $2,400/unit vs apartment 3BR at $1,800/mo blended. 33% premium. Key metric: beds/unit (2.5-4.0 typical). Higher density = higher revenue per sqft. But requires specific operational model (individual leases, roommate matching, guaranty structures).

Typical bed density?

Urban mid-rise: 2.5-3.2 beds/unit. Suburban garden: 3.0-4.0 beds/unit. Townhome model: 3.5-5.0 beds/unit. Studio: 1.0-1.2. Bed density varies by university proximity. Close-to-campus (walking): high density justified. Further (bus/drive): lower density, family/apartment-style preferred. Purpose-built student typically 3.0-3.5 blended.

Lease structure complexity?

Individual lease per bed with joint/several liability. Parent guarantors (primary revenue security). 12-month lease typical (vs 9-month academic). Summer revenue via short-term transient, research students, conference housing. 40-60% summer occupancy. Operational complexity: roommate matching, shared space disputes, early move-outs, post-graduation cleanouts. Staff-intensive.

Revenue per bed drivers?

Proximity to campus: 0.5 mile premium = $100-300/mo. Room type: single occupancy premium vs shared. Amenities (gym, pool, study rooms, bus shuttle): $50-200/mo. Building age (new = $100-300/mo premium). Academic tier (top 50 university): $200-400/mo premium. Pre-lease percent (90%+ pre-lease by March): signals demand strength. Typical $600-1,500/bed/mo range.