Living costs in America vary by city and by the lifestyle a student chooses. Still, a yearly budget of about 11,000 to 20,000 US Dollars is usually enough to cover basic living expenses. Students should plan their own budget around housing, food, transport, health insurance, and other daily spending. Average school and living costs are as follows:
School Costs
- Ivy League: $59,076 - $68,230
- Private Universities: $45,733 - $68,230
- Public (State) Universities: $32,833 - $58,950
- Liberal Arts Colleges: $31,154 - $69,330
Monthly Living Expenses
- Housing: $400 - $2,000
- Food: $400 - $800
- Transportation: $100 - $300
- Other: $680 - $1,700
Student Housing Costs
When people think about living costs in America, housing costs come to mind first. For students, these costs can differ based on several factors. They include the city you live in, the type of housing, dorm options, and your personal preferences. Students have four main housing options. These are university dorms, private dorms, homestays, and rental apartments.
1. University Dorms:
Dorms are usually on or near the university campus, which makes them a practical housing choice. Many students pick them because they are close to school and often kinder to the budget. Prices vary by region and by what the dorm provides. They usually fall between 4,000 and 9,000 US dollars.
2. Private Dorms:
Private dorms offer more comfort and extra services, so they usually cost a bit more. In return, they can give students a more independent living experience. On average, they run about 800 US dollars a month.
3. Rental Apartments:
Students can rent an apartment on their own or share one with 2, 3, or 4 people. The cost depends on the apartment's size, its location, and general rent levels in the city. It can range from 250 to 1,000 US dollars.
4. Homestay:
Another housing option for students is staying with a host family, often chosen by short-term students. Depending on your agreement with the host, the monthly cost changes with or without meals included. It usually falls between 140 and 400 US dollars. This option offers both the experience of living in a family home and a cost that can suit individual preferences.
Student Food Expenses
After housing, food costs are one of the most asked-about topics. In America, the recommended minimum food budget per person is about 420 US dollars a month. If you stay in a dorm with meal service or with a host family, this can drop to 250 - 300 dollars. Some food and drink prices are as follows:
- Bread: $3.60
- 1 kg of rice: $4.60
- A dozen eggs: $4.62
- 1 liter of milk: $1.04
- 1 kg of meat: $15.46
- 1 kg of apples: $5.36
- 1 kg of tomatoes: $4.70
- 1 kg of potatoes: $3.10
- 1.5 liters of water: $2.16
- An average restaurant meal: $25.00
Student Transportation Costs
In America, students usually spend 100 - 150 US dollars a month on transportation. Depending on the city, travel habits, and the type of transport used, this can range from 50 to 200 US dollars.
In big cities, public transit is usually an affordable choice. Almost every major city has metro and train service. On top of that, bus, metro, or train passes often come at discounted student prices. As an example, discounted Washington metro and bus fares for students are as follows:
Metro:
- Weekday discounted (5:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.) - $1.00 - $3.00
- Weekdays after 9:30 p.m. & weekends discounted - $1.00
Metrobus:
- Discounted single ride - $1.00
Metro & Metrobus:
- 1-day unlimited pass - $13.00
- Monthly unlimited pass - $64.00 - $192.00
Bus:
- 7-day discounted pass - $6.00
Students can also use private options like taxis and Uber, plus services like bike rentals, in their city. Taxi fares change from city to city and usually run between 1 and 5 dollars per kilometer.
Renting a car is another option, though it can cost more. A liter of gas comes to about 0.95 US dollars. With a driver's license issued in Turkey, you can drive in America for 6 months. Car rental prices average between 70 and 150 dollars.
Other Expenses for Students
Beyond housing, transport, and food, students should also plan for tuition fees, course materials, health insurance, phone, internet, personal spending, and entertainment. Depending on their visa status, international students should factor visa fees into their budget too. For example, average costs for other expenses are as follows:
Electricity: $20 - $40
International phone cards: $15 - $30
Internet: $15 - $30
Cell phone bill: $50 - $80
Entertainment: $80 - $100
Weekend activities: $50 - $100
Shopping: $100
