Student Cost of Living Comparison
Enter your figures or complete the checklist. Results are planning estimates, not official decisions.
Living costs vary dramatically between study destinations. A student budget of $1,500/month in Boston might cover the same lifestyle that costs $2,200/month in New York or £1,800/month in London. Understanding these differences is crucial when choosing where to study.
This Cost of Living Comparison tool compares monthly student living costs between two cities using illustrative cost indices. It helps you understand how far your budget stretches in different locations.
How to use this tool
- Select Location A — your reference city (the one you know costs for).
- Select Location B — the city you want to compare against.
- Enter your monthly budget in Location A — the tool estimates equivalent spending in Location B.
Compare monthly student living costs in two locations (illustrative indices).
Understanding your results
The comparison uses relative cost indices based on published data. Actual costs depend on your personal spending habits, accommodation choices, and lifestyle. Rent is typically the biggest variable — sharing an apartment can reduce housing costs by 30–50% compared to living alone.
Frequently asked questions
Among popular study destinations, New York, London, Sydney, and San Francisco consistently rank as the most expensive. More affordable alternatives include Montreal, Melbourne, Edinburgh, and mid-size US college towns.
A reasonable monthly student budget (excluding tuition) ranges from $1,200–$1,800 in affordable US cities, $1,500–$2,500 in expensive US cities, £1,000–£1,500 outside London, and £1,500–£2,200 in London.
Related tools
University cost calculator
Tuition plus living expenses by country.
Study abroad budget planner
4-year total degree cost estimate.
Dorm vs off-campus calculator
Compare university housing costs.
How to interpret the result
Use the result to compare scenarios and identify questions. Schools, universities, testing bodies and government agencies may use different scales, rounding rules and eligibility criteria. An estimate on this page cannot override an official calculation.
Before you decide
- Read the assumptions shown beside the tool.
- Repeat the calculation with a lower and higher scenario.
- Save the official requirement that applies to your case.
- Ask the responsible institution to confirm any conversion in writing.