Cost of Living in the United States

A photo of a student working at their desk with an illustration of a US flag placed above it and another photo of the Statue of Liberty, and graphics of a house, shirt, and grocery bag placed around the Statue of Liberty.

The United States is home to some of the most renowned colleges and universities in the world, making it an excellent choice for international students who are planning to study abroad. However, living in the US can come with a high cost of living. If your sights are set on studying abroad in the United States, you must have a solid plan to cover these costs. Today, we’re breaking down the cost of living in the United States to help you set a budget for your journey.

Note: These cost of living numbers were accurate when this blog was published (May 2022). Due to inflation, they have since become out-of-date, but an update is planned for 2024.

Living Expenses

Living expenses vary depending on where you plan to live. Generally speaking, living in a rural area is more affordable than living in a city. However, the cost of utilities, food, laundry, and personal hygiene is relatively the same regardless of where you choose to live. To give you an idea of the average cost of living expenses in the US, we’ve included current estimates below (as of April 2022).

Infographics of on-campus living, off-campus (rural) living, off-campus (city) living, food, laundry, and personal hygiene, and the related expenses.

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Utilities

Utilities like electricity, water, and heating ensure that your household remains livable and comfortable. Some accommodation options include utilities built into the cost, but when they don’t, utilities can add significantly to your budget as an international student. This is why it’s essential to factor the cost of utilities into your plan. 

Your monthly bills can fluctuate based on the following factors:

  • Regulations
  • Location
  • Lifestyle
  • Local climate

To help cut down on your monthly utility bills, if you buy a new phone after moving to the US, try to buy it outright or pay off its purchase as quickly as possible. The sooner you pay it off, the more affordable your monthly payments will be, as you’ll only have to pay for your phone bill and not the phone itself. If your current phone from your home country is unlocked, you may just need to buy an American SIM card and sign up for an American phone plan.

Tip: To find out the average monthly cost of utilities in your area, you can ask your landlord, realtor, or apartment manager. Or, use a cost of living calculator like Numbeo.

Infographics of a mobile phone, utilities, internet, and a television, and the related costs.

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Leisure

Balance is key. It’s important to budget for leisure and fun while studying abroad. This can mean many things to different people. Some students may enjoy spending their evenings at the gym, while others may choose to go out for dinner with a friend. To give you an idea of some of these costs, we’ve listed a few of the more common expenses below.

Infographics of clothing, miscellaneous entertainment, shopping, movie theatre tickets, bottle of wine, pint of beer, night out, eating out, and a gym membership, and the related costs.

Although it’s essential to make time for things that bring you joy, this isn’t an expense category that you should overindulge in. It’s not financially wise to go out for dinners multiple times a week or buy a new piece of clothing every other day. To stick to your budget, choose one to two things a week that you’d like to treat yourself to. Maybe one week, you stay in to watch your favourite movie with some wine, then buy a new pair of jeans. And the next, you enjoy a night out on the town with your friends.

Tip: Consider getting a gym membership, as you’ll pay a set monthly amount and can go as many times as you’d like. Plus, it’s a great way to stay in shape and meet like-minded people.

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Transportation and Academic Supplies

Your monthly transportation costs will vary based on where you live. If you’re living on-campus, you’ll save money on transportation by being close to your classes, libraries, and campus facilities. If you live off-campus, you’ll have to spend more money getting to and from the places mentioned above. Luckily, most schools offer their students a discount on a bus pass. Be sure to check with your academic institution to see what deals they offer.

Infographics of transportation, and books and supplies, and the related costs.

The cost of academic supplies can vary depending on your program, level of study, and ability to find deals on textbooks. Despite the figure above representing all kinds of academic supplies, including pens, paper, and binders, the cost of textbooks takes up the majority of this expense. Check out your institution’s book store to find second-hand books. Also, you might be able to find and rent your textbooks on Amazon or through your institution’s library. 

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Use the estimates highlighted in this blog to start budgeting for your journey abroad. It’s crucial to have a plan, and yours begins here!

Planning to study abroad in the United States? Explore the ApplyBoard Platform to find your perfect academic institution and program!

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