One of the most critical concerns of studying abroad for international students is the cost of living. You should do thorough research and plan well before making your final decision. The USA is not a cheap country to live in, and it is no secret. Knowing the likely expenses that can come your way is advisable, so you do not suffer in the end. You can expect a monthly expense of USD 1000 to USD 3000 per month. However, this cost highly depends on your area and the university you study at. For instance, your monthly expenses will be higher if you study at a university in New York. On the other hand, your expenses will be considerably lesser if you live in a place like Ohio. In general, to put it short, you should consider the means to support yourself before shifting to the USA. The following sections will help you understand the likely costs of living in the USA, the affordable cities etc.
Table of Contents
- Cost of Living in USA for International Students
- Cost of Living in USA for Family
- Average Cost of Living in USA
- Cost of Accomodation in USA
- Cost of Utilities in USA
- Cost of Transportation in USA
- Cost of Food From Restaurants in USA
- Cost of Healthcare in USA
- Cost of Elictricity & Gas in USA
- Cost of Clothing in USA
- Cost of Housekeeping Supplies in USA
- Cost of Personal Care Products and Services in USA
- Best and Affordable City to Live in USA
- Cost of Education in USA
Cost of Living in USA for International Students
It is estimated that an international student will have to spend around USD 10,000 to USD 18,000 per year to live in the USA. This cost depends on your area, but there can only be a minor difference. Tuition fees cover a more significant part of your expense in the country, followed by accommodation. Several scholarships available for international students provide full and partial funding. Nonetheless, you will have to spend on clothes, entertainment, movies etc. A few costs that come yearly are highlighted below.
- Most universities offer in-campus accommodation. To live outside, you must rent an apartment for around USD 300 to USD 600 per month.
- You can expect a travel cost of between USD 300 and USD 700 to travel within the country.
- You may need to spend around USD 900 to USD 2000 per year on your books and other study materials.
- If you are someone who eats out more often, you can expect an expense of USD 2500 per year.
- You may also spend around USD 2500 a year on your clothes, movies and other forms of entertainment.
Cost of Living in USA for Family
The USA is a bit pricey, and you cannot deny that. Though there can be slight differences based on the state, it is estimated that, on average, a family spends around USD 1800 per month or USD 61,334 per year. Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Boston etc., are considered to be more on the expensive side. At the same time, lesser-known cities like Ohio, Oklahoma, Mississippi etc., are cheaper. However, you need not be alarmed by these numbers. These are only averages, and the cost may decrease. You just have to be planned and prepared to support yourself and your family if they are accompanying you.
Average Cost of Living in USA
The USA is one of the most prominent nations in the world in terms of attracting international students. At the same time, it is one of the most attractive countries to live in. however, with all these come a few costs that you should be aware of. A monthly breakdown of the cost of some necessities is given below.
|
Type of Expense |
Average Amount (in USD) |
|
Housing |
USD 200 |
|
Utilities |
USD 150 |
|
Transportation |
USD 100 |
|
Food from restaurants |
USD 75 |
|
Healthcare |
USD 50 |
|
Health insurance |
USD 60 |
|
Entertainment |
USD 100 |
|
Electricity & Gas |
USD 90 |
|
Clothing |
USD 70 |
|
Housekeeping supplies |
USD 150 |
|
Personal care products & services |
USD 100 |
Related Article: USA Student visa from Nigeria
Cost of Accomodation in USA
The cost of accommodation is highly dependent on where you stay and how you stay. If you live in a costlier city, your accommodation expenses will be higher and vice versa. Also, your expenses will be lower if you live in an off-campus dorm. You have four options to stay; an on-campus, off-campus, one-bedroom apartment in a rural area and an urban area. The monthly cost can considerably vary.
A rough estimate is given below:
- On-campus accommodation: USD 9800 - USD 11,100 per year
- Off-campus dormitory: USD 450 per month
- One-bedroom apartment in the city: USD 3500 per month
- Off-campus apartment in a rural area: USD 500 per month
Cost of Utilities in USA
The cost of utilities can include the expenses of electricity, water, water, gas, telephone, cable etc. It can vary depending on your need and the place you live in. For instance, fuel costs are reduced if you do not own a vehicle. You may spend around USD 35 to USD 115 per month on water, USD 117 on electricity, USD 55 on natural gas etc. On average, Connecticut, Alaska, Hawaii etc., are a few places with more utility expenses, and New Mexico, Utah, Idaho etc., are a few places where it is cheaper.
Cost of Transportation in USA
Cost of Food From Restaurants in USA
Eating food from a restaurant is undoubtedly more expensive than cooking on your own. But, you can choose to eat from some reasonably priced restaurants to spend lesser. If you choose an on-campus accommodation, you will not have to worry about food, as it will be provided to you. Otherwise, you will have to cook on your own or eat at restaurants. A basic lunch in the USA can come to around USD 15. A burger can cost USD 2, and a cappuccino can cost USD 4. A Chinese restaurant is the least expensive, while a French restaurant is more costly.
Cost of Healthcare in USA
Healthcare in the USA is very expensive compared to several other countries. Though the doctor consultation cost is not too high, the medical treatment is costlier. A standard medical treatment can cost you around USD 200 to USD 300. If you need to be admitted to the hospital for some reason, the cost can be even higher.
A few healthcare needs and the likely expense are given below:
- Ambulance: USD 400 - USD 1200
- Medication: USD 500
- Medical tests and screenings: USD 100 - USD 5000
- Hospitalisation: USD 3000 - USD 30,000
- Surgery: USD 4000 - USD 10,000
- Dental treatment: USD 115 - USD 695
Cost of Elictricity & Gas in USA
Electricity and natural gas are two expenses you will incur if you live on your own. Though electricity is more expensive than natural gas, it cannot affect you much if you take good care. The electricity bill amount is also dependent on how you use electricity. If you wish to save money, you can easily do it by switching off whatever is not in use. You can expect USD 100 to USD 120 for electricity. On the other hand, you may have to pay around USD 12 if you use natural gas.
Cost of Clothing in USA
It is good news for those who love shopping for clothes more often that clothing is comparatively cheaper in the USA. Several designer brands sell expensive clothes, but you can choose the normal ones if you wish to. This will help you save more money. A pair of jeans can cost somewhere around USD 45 to USD 47. Now, this is an expense that is not inevitable. You can choose whether or not to buy and pile up new clothes and where to buy them from.
Cost of Housekeeping Supplies in USA
The cost of housekeeping supplies has increased in the USA in recent years, partly due to the economy's inflation. The amount is variable as it highly depends on your usage. There are ways to spend less, and you can plan accordingly if you wish to. The average cost of housekeeping supplies in the USA can come to around USD 800 per consumer unit in a year.
Cost of Personal Care Products and Services in USA
It is estimated that a person spends around USD 200 to USD 250 per month on personal care products. This is again dependent on the person. You can go for budget-friendly products to lessen your expense. The cost of skin care products falls on the higher side. An average person spends around USD 60 per month on personal care products.
Best and Affordable City to Live in USA
You need not be worried about seeing all the high figures on the likely expenses in the USA. A few cities and states in the country are cheaper and affordable for international students. If you shift to these places, it will be easier for you to manage your finances well. A few such places and the average cost of living per month are given in the table below.
|
City |
Cost of Living (in USD) |
|
Philadelphia |
USD 800 - USD 1300 |
|
Houston |
USD 1000 - USD 2000 |
|
Dallas |
USD 1000 - USD 2000 |
|
Baltimore |
USD 1100 - USD 2000 |
|
Atlanta |
USD 1200 - USD 2000 |
|
Chicago |
USD 1300 - USD 2500 |
|
San Diego |
USD 1400 - USD 2400 |
Related Article: Study in USA
Cost of Education in USA
The USA has over a million international students. You will find that there are courses and programs for everyone. A degree earned from that country is recognised worldwide. You will find your certificate from an American university benefitting you both for your higher studies and getting a good job. The average tuition fees of some of the popular courses in the USA are given below.
|
Education Level |
Average Tuition Fees (in USD) |
Average Tuition Fees (in NGN) |
|
Bachelor’s |
USD 8000 - USD 55,000 |
NGN 33,37,520 - NGN 2,29,45,450 |
|
Undergraduate Diploma |
USD 25,000 - USD 35,000 |
NGN 1,04,29,750 - NGN 1,46,01,650 |
|
MS |
USD 7000 - USD 53,000 |
NGN 29,20,330 - NGN 2,21,11,070 |
|
MBA |
USD 60,000 - USD 1,00,000 |
NGN 2,50,31,400 - NGN 4,17,19,000 |
|
Postgraduate Diploma |
USD 15,000 - USD 23,000 |
NGN 62,87,550 - NGN 95,95,370 |
|
PhD |
USD 28,000 - USD 55,000 |
NGN 1,16,81,320 - NGN 2,29,45,450 |
Conclusion
Studying abroad, especially in the USA, requires careful financial planning due to high living costs. International students can expect monthly expenses between USD 1000 to USD 3000, varying significantly based on location and university. Costs encompass tuition, accommodation, travel, books, and personal expenses. While cities like New York are expensive, places like Ohio offer a more affordable living. It's crucial to research and understand these costs, including available scholarships, to avoid financial difficulties.
If you need further assistance on the cost of living in the USA or anything else about studying in the USA in general, you can contact aecc. We have counsellors and professionals skilled at addressing all your queries and helping you apply to your favourite university. You need not hesitate to contact us anytime.
