In the contemporary world, managing living expenses while studying in the United States is a very daunting task. However, in the end, it all depends on your budget plan. If you intend to, you can easily manage your living expenses. But that is if you spend your money wisely. Otherwise, you will need to ask your parents to send you money. Though that might put extra pressure on your parents if their earnings are low.
Well, how much does it cost to live in the USA as an international student? In this article, we have compiled a list of the different types of expenses. At the same time, with an average amount that you need to manage while studying in the USA. Well, if you have any doubts regarding the fee structure in US universities, you can connect with the best usa study visa consultants.
Living Costs While Studying In The USA for International Students:
Take a glance at the list of expenses that international students have to bear in the USA.
Housing Price In The USA
You need proper accommodation to live in the USA. After arriving, you need to look for a place where you can keep your luggage and live after your college and work hours. Although you can live on campus, living off campus is a reasonable option. It is better to look for cheap accommodation options if you want to save money.
Well, the accommodation cost can vary depending on the city and locality. However, the average house rent of a shared apartment will be around 700-900 USD per month. Moreover, you also need to pay for utilities such as electricity, water, gas supply, heating systems, and so on, which will be around 400-600 USD per month. If you want to live on campus, then the overall accommodation cost, including utilities, will be around 1600-1700 USD per month.
Meal Cost
If you are planning to live on campus, you can save your food expenses. Well, if you want to eat something extra that is not provided in the hostel meal, you need to pay extra for it. If you prepare your meal at home, it will be a much more affordable option for you. However, if you rely on tiffin services or restaurant food, it will be too expensive.
Conveyance Charges
Note that public transportation is a cheaper and pocket-friendly option for international students living in the USA. So, try to travel by public buses and trains being an international student in the USA. Many students prefer buying their cars, believing that it would be easy for them to travel anytime. However, they don’t know that buying their car includes various additional costs such as maintenance costs, gasoline costs, and so on. So, if we consider public transportation, then the overall cost will be around 100-120 USD. However, you need to spend 400-450 USD per month on private transportation.
Shopping Costs
Well, shopping costs can vary depending on person to person because some students are shopaholics while others are not. Still, there are some basic things that every student has to buy from a supermarket, such as groceries, clothes, shoes, stationery, household items, toiletries, and so on. So, the total cost of all these items will be around 200-300 USD per month.
Internet Expense
Can you imagine your life without the Internet? No, because all the assignments, classes, college updates, results, and everything are done online these days. Moreover, you need to talk with your family back home, and the Internet is required for this. So, you need to buy an internet connection. Although the internet cost can vary depending on various companies, the average cost will be around 60-70 USD per month.
If you want to know about additional costs you need to manage while living in the USA, you need to consult the best study visa consultants.
Living costs for international students in the USA can vary widely based on location, lifestyle, and housing choices. Here’s a detailed breakdown of typical expenses to help you plan your budget:
Tuition and Fees
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Undergraduate: $20,000 – $50,000 per year (private universities are more expensive than public)
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Graduate: $20,000 – $45,000 per year
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Community Colleges: $6,000 – $20,000 per year
Note: Scholarships, assistantships, or grants can significantly reduce tuition costs.
Housing
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On-campus dorms: $8,000 – $12,000 per year (includes utilities and sometimes meals)
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Off-campus (shared apartment): $500 – $1,200/month depending on location
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Big cities (e.g., New York, San Francisco): $1,000 – $2,000/month
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Smaller towns: $400 – $800/month
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Food and Groceries
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On-campus meal plans: $3,000 – $6,000 per year
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Groceries and eating out: $200 – $600/month depending on dietary habits and location
Transportation
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Public transport (bus, subway, etc.): $30 – $100/month (student discounts may apply)
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Car (if owned): $2,000 – $5,000/year (includes insurance, fuel, maintenance)
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Bicycles and walking: Free/low cost and common in college towns
Health Insurance
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Mandatory for international students: $500 – $2,000/year
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Many universities offer their own plans
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Books and Supplies
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Cost: $500 – $1,000/year
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Can be reduced with used books, rentals, or digital versions
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Personal Expenses
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Clothing, entertainment, phone bills, etc.: $1,000 – $2,500/year
Miscellaneous/Unforeseen Costs
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Always good to budget an additional $500 – $1,000/year for emergencies or unexpected expenses.
Estimated Total Annual Living Costs (excluding tuition)
| Location Type | Estimated Cost (per year) |
|---|---|
| Urban (big cities) | $18,000 – $30,000 |
| Suburban | $12,000 – $20,000 |
| Rural/small towns | $10,000 – $15,000 |
Tips to Reduce Living Costs
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Share accommodations with other students
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Use student discounts for transport, entertainment, and software
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Cook meals at home instead of eating out frequently
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Buy used textbooks or borrow from the library
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Get part-time campus jobs (F-1 visa allows on-campus employment up to 20 hours/week)
Conclusion
Apart from the tuition fee, there are other living costs that you need to manage while living in the USA. So, make a budget list and make sure to have enough funds in your account if you want to manage all the expenses without getting worried.
