International renters
Do US apartments come furnished?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Most do not. A typical unfurnished US apartment includes kitchen appliances such as a refrigerator and stove, and sometimes a dishwasher or microwave, but no bed, sofa, desk or table. Furnished rentals exist, especially near universities and for short stays, but they usually cost more per month.
Check each listing carefully, because the word unfurnished covers a lot of ground. Ask directly what stays in the unit.
- Usually included: refrigerator, stove and oven, light fixtures in some rooms, and window blinds.
- Often included: dishwasher, microwave, air conditioning.
- Varies: washer and dryer in the unit, shared laundry in the building, or none at all.
- Rarely included: beds, mattresses, sofas, desks, curtains, lamps, kitchenware.
Rooms in shared houses are more likely to come with a bed and desk, and many student buildings rent furnished units. Ask for a list of the furniture in writing so nothing goes missing between viewing and move-in.
The cheapest way to furnish a place is to buy from people moving out. Late spring and the end of each semester are when students near campus sell desks, bed frames and kitchen items cheaply, often in the same housing groups where they post their rooms. Inspect used upholstered furniture and mattresses closely for bedbugs before bringing them home, and budget for a new mattress if you are unsure.
Want the whole picture? Read Renting as an International Student.