Student housing in Tahiti: university residence, shared flat or studio

Finding a place to live in Tahiti as a student means starting early. The Université de la Polynésie française (UPF) says so itself: the cost of living is about double that of mainland France, finding affordable housing is difficult, and living with a host family is not the custom. Places in the university residence and in accommodation centres are limited and are allocated first to grant-holders from the islands.

There are three options: a room in the university residence or an accommodation centre, a studio rented on your own, or a shared flat. On the private market, a studio rents from 60,000 XPF per month, or about €500. The 2026-2027 academic year started on Monday 24 August at the UPF: housing allocations are decided as early as July.

This guide details each option, the rents to expect, the towns to search in and the housing aid reserved for grant-holders.

No Crous in French Polynesia

Unlike mainland France or La Réunion, French Polynesia has no Crous. Student services are split between the State, the Pays and the university: grants, housing, transport and health fall under different bodies. At the end of 2025, the president of the UPF presented a "Maison des étudiants" project to bring these services together in one place, on the model of a Crous. In the meantime, you have to deal with each organisation separately.

Option 1: the UPF university residence

Located on the campus, the university residence run by the UPF has 72 single rooms, from 16 to 22 m², furnished and equipped with a private bathroom. It includes 39 "fare"-type units and 33 apartments, with two shared kitchens and a laundry room.

• Allocation: in July, by a university committee. Grant-holders from the islands and the peninsula have priority, and academic results also count.
• Length of stay: from the August start of term to 30 June.
• Monthly rent: 22,500 XPF for a grant-holder, 35,000 XPF for a non-grant-holder, according to the rates posted for the current year.

Option 2: student accommodation centres

The student accommodation centres are run by the Office polynésien de l'habitat (OPH). Places are allocated by the French Polynesian Ministry of Education at a committee that meets in July. Here again, grant-holders from the islands and students with good results have priority.

• Outumaoro: 197 units with a capacity of 392 students. The studios are furnished, with a fridge and bathroom, and each building has a shared kitchen and washing machines.
• Paraita: 63 units that can house one or two students, with priority for BTS students on grants from the islands.

If you do not have a grant or you are coming from mainland France, your chances of getting a place are slim. Plan to search the private market from the outset.

Option 3: studio or shared flat on the private market

The Tahitian rental market is tight, with high rents and insufficient supply. Here are the rent ranges excluding charges for a long-term let:

• Studio or 1-room apartment (T1): from 60,000 to 115,000 XPF per month, or about €500 to €960.
• 2-room apartment (T2): from 75,000 to 180,000 XPF per month, the low end in Faa'a and Mahina, the high end in Papeete and Pirae.
• 3-room apartment (T3): from 75,000 to 160,000 XPF in Faa'a and Mahina, from 95,000 to 200,000 XPF in Punaauia and Arue, from 110,000 to 240,000 XPF in Papeete and Pirae.

Sharing a T2 or T3 lets you split this rent. Before signing, put in writing who is named on the lease, how rent, charges and deposit are split, and what happens if one of the flatmates leaves during the year.

Where to search in Tahiti

• Punaauia: the campus town, on the west coast. Pleasant setting, high rents and strong demand.
• Faa'a: near the airport, varied supply and more accessible rents.
• Papeete: the administrative and commercial centre, with plenty of services, but among the highest rents on the island.
• Pirae and Arue: quiet residential towns east of Papeete. Arue is slightly cheaper than the capital.
• Mahina: east coast, more affordable and green, but further from the campus.
• Paea: west coast, more moderate rents, as long as you have a vehicle.