Average Living Cost in the USA for International Students

Living cost in USA for international students varies depending on their personal choices, accommodation, lifestyle, and location. However, the average amount of cost of living in USA is around $10,000 to $20,000 per year. You can easily manage your living costs in the United States with a strategic plan. 

Here are a few steps to reduce your expenses while living in the USA. 

• Setting a Budget: You must set a budget plan for all your accommodation, food, transportation, and other additional expenses. 
• Choosing Accommodation: You must find cheap accommodation such as shared rooms, apartments and living quarters.  
• Transportation: You can use public transportation or commute by walking instead of taking a taxi. 

Accommodation Cost in the USA

Well, there is no fixed accommodation cost for international students in the USA. The accommodation costs depend on your city, state, and the type of accommodation you choose. There are basically two types of accommodation for international students.

• On-campus Housing
• Off-campus Housing

However, the average accommodation cost in USA is around $500 to $2,000 per month. You can always find affordable accommodation options such as living quarters, shared apartments, or rented rooms. So, it is best to do your research before renting a place. 

Food Cost

The cost of food in the USA for international students may vary depending on various factors including your dietary choices, financial budget, and location. However, an estimated amount of food cost in USA is $20 to $50. 

It is important to remember that eating out in restaurants and cafes in the USA instead of cooking at home can be more expensive, especially in the USA. However, you can save money if you make a strict budget plan and cook your meals at home. 

Education cost

The cost of studying in USA for international students mostly depends on the specific university and its tuition fee. The tuition fee varies, depending on your level of study, chosen program, and program duration. However, the estimated cost of education in the USA is around $20,000 to $35,000 per year. 

Private universities including Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Yale University are more expensive than public universities including the University of Michigan, University of Southern California, and Northeastern University. 

Utilities Cost

The utilities cost in the USA for international students vary, depending on your accommodation type, location, and lifestyle choices. However, if the utility cost is not included in your rent, you can expect to pay at least $1,200 to $3,600 per year for utilities in the USA. 

Mostly these utilities include electricity, water usage, natural gas, trash removal or recycling services, and internet connection. You can always save money from your utility expenses if you reduce your electricity and water consumption, etc. 

Transportation Cost

The cost of transportation is different in every city or state. That’s why, transportation costs for international students depend on their location and the type of transportation they choose. However, the estimated transportation cost in the USA for international students is around $500 to $700 per year. 

You can make an economical choice by using public transportation including local buses, vanpools, trams, or subways to save money. Apart from that, you can also commute by walking or renting a cycle if your college or university campus is near your residence. 

Medical Cost

The medical cost in the USA is more than $10,000 per person. In fact, a general visit to a doctor costs up to $200 without any health insurance. However, international students must get health insurance to cover their medical expenses that might occur while studying in the USA. 

The estimated amount of money needed for health insurance is up to $2,000 per year. You can always choose between getting a health insurance plan provided by your US university or finding private health insurance on your own. 

Most Affordable and Cheapest Cities to Live in the USA

The safest place for international students to live in the USA is Nashua in New Hampshire. However, finding the best city for you depends on your personal choices, your financial budget, and the university location. We have listed some affordable and cheap cities in the USA.

• San Diego, California
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Chicago, Illinois
• Saint Louis, Missouri
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Memphis, Tennessee
• Louisville, Kentucky

Here are some of the cheapest universities in the USA for international students. 

• The City University of New York
• Seattle Pacific University
• Western Michigan University
• Lynn University
• Concordia University Wisconsin
• Murray State University
• University of Central Florida
• South Dakota State University
• Curtis Institute of Music
• Hamline University

Want to Save Money in the USA? Discover These Tips!

Here we have a few money-saving tips in the USA for international students.

• Keep track of your expenses, and make a budget plan. 
• Strictly follow your budget plan and avoid expenditure. 
• Find cheap and comfortable on-campus or off-campus accommodation such as shared rooms, living quarters, and rented apartments. 
• Use public transportation instead of using a taxi. 
• Commute by walking, or biking, especially if your rented place is near your university campus. 
• Negotiate with your landlord about the housing rent. 
• Cook your meals at home instead of dining out at restaurants or cafes. 
• Go to the utility store for discounts grocery. 

Is the USA a good option for Bangladeshi Students?

Studying in the USA has become a dream of nearly every international student, especially Bangladeshi students. More than 13,563 are estimated to be studying in the USA at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. If you want to study abroad, consider studying at a US university. 

Many prestigious universities including Stanford University, Harvard University, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, and the University of Southern California are located in the USA. These universities are well-known for their strong education system, diverse student body, inclusive classrooms, and campus facilities. If you want to study in USA, contact the International Admission Service for consultancy.