Cost of Living in USA for Students

The USA is one of the most sought-after educational destinations for students worldwide. However, when talking about the cost of living in USA for students, the North American country is one of the most expensive study destinations in the world. The tuition fees in the USA are quite costly, ranging from between USD 25,000 and USD 50,000. Apart from the tuition fees, students have to account for the cost of accommodation and living expenses.

Table of Contents

• Recommended Budget
  • Housing Charges in the USA
    
    • Monthly Cost of Living in Different Parts of the USA
  • Transportation Charges
  • Food Expenses
  • Entertainment Charges
  • Mobile and Internet Charges
  • Miscellaneous Living Expenses for USA Students

Recommended Budget

Studying in the USA is not a cheap affair. While the cost of education in the USA is among the most expensive in the world, the cost of living is also quite expensive. Students have to account for accommodation, transportation, food, entertainment, mobile and internet, and miscellaneous living expenses while studying in the USA. Therefore, students need to keep a recommended annual budget of between USD 14,660 and USD 29,860 for living in the USA.

The table below shows the various costs of living in the USA for international students:

Housing Charges in the USA

Students have various options when it comes to accommodation in the USA. Students can choose to live on-campus, in private accommodations, or at homestays. Usually, international students prefer to live on campus in their first year as it makes assimilating into campus life seamless. Generally, students have to shell out between USD 300 and USD 600 per month for campus accommodation, but this amount may vary depending on the location and institution.

Many students also opt for private residences (either single or shared) or homestays. The cost of private accommodation may vary from city to city, but the average price amounts to between USD 6,000 and USD 14,000 per annum. Students may also opt for homestays, an arrangement where the student will spend their academic tenure living with a local family in the USA.

Monthly Cost of Living in Different Parts of the USA

For international students in the US, the cost of living is approximately USD 900 to USD 1,050 per month. The cost of living can vary from student to student depending on their lifestyle, location, type of accommodation, etc. 

In determining the average cost of living in USA for students, the location of the university is a significant factor. The cost of living will be higher for students living near a well-established city such as New York or Columbia. In contrast, university students who are studying in suburban areas like Ohio or Indiana can expect lower living costs. On an average, living costs are lower in Midwest regions, while they are higher in the East and North-East. Several factors play a significant role in determining living costs, including:

• Renting an apartment outside the campus or staying on campus
• Meal plans, grocery shopping, or eating out
• Travelling by car or public transport
• Entertainment expenditures
• Consumption habits of individuals
• Working part-time or not

The following tables provide an overview of the estimated monthly costs of living in different parts of the US:

South

North Central

Central

West Coast

East Coast 

Transportation Charges

Students have to account for transportation costs while studying in the USA. In this regard, they have to prepare budgets for short or long-distance travel. In terms of short distances, students can avail public transport facilities like public buses and metro services. For long-distance travel, students can use cross country bus services, railway services or air travel. On average, transportation charges in the USA will amount to between USD 500 and USD 1,000 per month.

Food Expenses

Students living by themselves have to figure out the most efficient ways of feeding themselves while studying in the USA. However, students living on-campus and in homestays don’t have to source their food externally as all dining costs are included in the accommodation charges.

For students living by themselves or flat-sharing, shopping for groceries becomes a monthly affair, and budgets must be made for expenses related to the same and costs associated with dining out (or ordering). On average, students in the USA have to shell out about USD 150 a month on groceries and USD 75 a month on dining out.

Entertainment Charges

A student’s life in the USA isn’t complete without leisure and entertainment. There are plenty of things and activities for students to indulge in while studying in the USA. Students may wish to go to the movies, go out with friends, or participate in an airsoft game. Whatever a student may choose, decompressing from the intense schedule of the university sessions is crucial for holistic development. On average, it makes sense for students to keep a budget of USD 100 every month as entertainment charges.

Mobile and Internet Charges

The USA falls in the upper echelons when it comes to mobile and internet charges. However, communication is essential for any international student living in the USA, whether for phone calls back home or finding course reference materials on the internet. It helps to have a constant and steady internet connection, especially for students who rely on the internet for their course work or term projects.

Mobile data charges, on average, amount to USD 3.33 per 1GB of data. However, Internet charges are more expensive in the USA, keeping into account the installation charges. On average, the internet charges amount to between USD 30 and USD 50 per month.

Miscellaneous Living Expenses for USA Students

Apart from all the expenses mentioned above, students need to buy clothes, toothbrushes, detergents, toiletries and personal grooming items. Without these miscellaneous expenses, students will not be able to function. Therefore, while budgeting for living expenses in the USA, students must make it a point to create a separate budget for miscellaneous living expenses. Students can keep a one-time budget of USD 500 for miscellaneous expenses. However, the costs may vary depending on the requirement of specific items.