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Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students 2024-2025: Living Expenses in USA for International Students

October 4, 2024

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5 Mins

Studying in the United States is a dream for many Indian students, offering world-class education and international exposure. However, one of the most crucial aspects of preparing for this journey is understanding the cost of living in USA for Indian students.

Living expenses vary depending on your city, lifestyle, and housing choices. From rent and groceries to transportation and health insurance, having a clear idea of costs in 2024–2025 will help you budget better and avoid surprises.

This guide provides a detailed overview of typical expenses and tips to manage your finances effectively as an Indian student in the U.S

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What Is the Average Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students?

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The average cost of living in USA for Indian students ranges between $10,000 and $25,000 per year. This amount depends on various factors like the city you live in, your type of accommodation, daily expenses, and lifestyle preferences.

In major cities like New York, San Francisco, or Boston, students may need around $2,000 to $2,500 per month to cover rent, food, transportation, and other essentials.

In more affordable cities such as Houston, Dallas, or Atlanta, students can manage comfortably with $1,200 to $1,600 per month.

Proper budgeting and lifestyle choices play a key role in how much you actually spend. Understanding the cost of living in USA for Indian students before moving helps you make smart financial decisions and avoid unnecessary stress later.

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Factors Influencing the Cost of Living

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Lodging
Transportation
Meals and Groceries
Hospitals and Insurance
Miscellaneous Expenses (Recreation, Apparel, etc.)

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Accommodation Costs for Indian Students in the USA

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Locating proper lodging is the most essential part of your expense planning. Students have two main housing options: on-campus and off-campus accommodations.

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Accommodation Type	Yearly Cost (USD)	Yearly Cost (INR) Approx.
On-campus (Public Colleges)	$9,800 - $12,000	₹8,15,000 - ₹10,00,000
On-campus (Private Colleges)	$11,000 - $15,000	₹9,15,000 - ₹12,50,000
Off-campus (Shared)	$450 - $1,000 per month	₹37,500 - ₹83,500 per month
One-bedroom apartment (Urban)	$2,000 - $3,500 per month	₹1,67,000 - ₹2,92,500 per month
One-bedroom apartment (Rural)	$500 - $1,500 per month	₹42,000 - ₹1,25,000 per month

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Different Cities and their average housing rents

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Name of the US City	Average Monthly Rent (in USD)	Average Monthly Rent (in INR)
Austin	$2,000 – $2,500	₹1,66,000 – ₹2,07,500
Boston	$2,500 – $3,000	₹2,07,500 – ₹2,49,000
Chicago	$3,000 – $4,000	₹2,49,000 – ₹3,32,000
Illinois	$1,400 – $2,000	₹1,16,200 – ₹1,66,000
Los Angeles	$1,500 – $2,200	₹1,24,500 – ₹1,82,600
New York City	$3,500 – $4,500	₹2,90,500 – ₹3,73,500
Ohio	$1,000 – $2,000	₹83,000 – ₹1,66,000
San Francisco	$4,000 – $4,500	₹3,32,000 – ₹3,73,500
Texas	$1,500 – $2,500	₹1,24,500 – ₹2,07,500

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Meals and Groceries

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Food costs vary depending on where you live and your individual preferences.

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Food and Groceries Type	Monthly Cost (USD)	Monthly Cost (INR) Approx.
On-campus dining plans	$250 - $500	₹20,800 - ₹41,700
Groceries (cooking at home)	$150 - $300	₹12,500 - ₹25,000
Eating out	$10 - $25 per meal	₹830 - ₹2,080 per meal

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Transportation

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It's necessary to budget for vehicle expenses if you are living off-campus.

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Transportation Type	Monthly Cost (USD)	Monthly Cost (INR) Approx.
Public transport (buses, trains)	$50 - $120	₹4,200 - ₹10,000
Taxi services (Uber, Lyft)	$10 - $30 per ride	₹830 - ₹2,500 per ride
Car rental (if applicable)	$300 - $700 per month	₹25,000 - ₹58,500 per month

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Healthcare and Insurance

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Healthcare in the USA is costly, and international students must have health insurance.

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Expense Category	Yearly Cost (USD)	Yearly Cost (INR) Approx.
Health Insurance	$700 - $1,500	₹58,500 - ₹1,25,000
Medical visits (without insurance)	$100 - $500 per visit	₹8,300 - ₹41,700 per visit

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City-Wise Cost Comparison

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The cost of living varies widely across US cities. Living in an urban city like New York or Los Angeles will be more pricey than living in a city like Houston or Atlanta.

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City	Monthly Living Cost (USD)	Monthly Living Cost (INR) Approx.
New York	$3,300 - $4,000	₹2,75,000 - ₹3,33,000
Los Angeles	$3,000 - $4,000	₹2,50,000 - ₹3,33,000
Chicago	$2,200 - $3,000	₹1,83,000 - ₹2,50,000
Houston	$1,500 - $2,000	₹1,25,000 - ₹1,67,000
Atlanta	$1,200 - $1,800	₹1,00,000 - ₹1,50,000

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Tips to Reduce Living Costs

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Choose off-campus/shared lodging: Leasing/renting a shared apartment can be much more affordable than staying in college dorms that don't have many facilities and also have certain restrictions.
Prepare your food: Eating out often can exhaust your wallet quickly.
Utilize student discounts: Always look for discounts on everything from transport to shopping.
Work part-time: Indian students on an F1 visa can work part-time (20 hours a week) on campus, permitting them to cover some expenses.
Use public transportation: It's the most economical alternative, particularly in a city with a well-connected system.

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Conclusion

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Pre-planning will help you a lot before traveling. This will ensure that your wallet doesn't drain and your brain doesn't take the strain. Knowing your cost will make your life more comfortable as an educational aspirant.

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FAQs

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1. Which is the best city for Indian students to reside in?

Some favored options among Indian students include New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago. Small towns or suburban areas with good universities can also help your wallet.

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