Cost of Living Breakdown: USA, Canada, UK, and Australia for Indian Students

When comparing the key cost factors in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia, it seems that all countries except the USA have a relatively higher cost of living. This is more commonly seen in major cities in these countries. Among the four nations, the UK is renowned as the most affordable country for Indian students to study. The cost of living in the UK for Indian students is relatively cheaper in terms of education and living costs. The following are the individual cost components against which we compare the living costs in these four countries, to help you make an informed decision.   

Tuition Fees

This is one of the primary cost considerations when studying abroad. Listed below are the comparative structures for tuition fees in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia for different levels of study (undergraduate and postgraduate):

• USA: USD 57,642 (approx.) for UG courses 

USD 49,734 (approx.) per annum for Masters courses 

_{Related Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/student-finance/tuition-fees-worlds-top-universities}

• Canada University Fees: CAD 17,000 per annum for UG courses

CAD 19,000 per annum for Masters courses

_{Source: https://www.idp.com/india/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-study-in-canada/}

• UK tuition fees: GBP 11,400 for UG courses

GBP 9,000 for PG courses

_{Related Source: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying}

• Australia Student Fees: AUD 40,500 for UG courses

AUD 49,920 for Masters courses

_{Related Source: https://delivery-cqucontenthub.stylelabs.cloud/api/public/content/international-courses-and-fees-2025-852713}

Accommodation Costs

• USA

  • On-campus dormitories: USD 5,000 - USD 10,000 per annum

  • Off-campus apartments: USD 500 - USD 2,000 per month

_Source: https://www.idp.com/india/blog/cost-of-living-in-major-cities-in-the-usa/ 

• Canada 

  • On-campus lodging: CAD 8,000 - CAD 10,000 per annum

  • Off-campus shared apartment: CAD 400 - CAD 700 per month

  • Homestay: CAD 200 (placement fee) and CAD 750 - CAD 950 per month (meals and room)

_Source: https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-canada/cost-of-living/ 

• UK

  • Student Halls: GBP 848 (London) and GBP 664 (other cities)

  • Private accommodation: GBP 750 (London) and GBP 554 (other cities)

_{Related Source: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying} 

• Australia 

  • On-campus: AUD 110 - AUD 280 per week

  • Hostels and Guesthouses: AUD 90 - AUD 150 per week

  • Homestays: AUD 235 - AUD 325 per week

  • Shared Rental: AUD 95 - AUD 215 per week

  • Rental: AUD 185 - AUD 440 per week  

  • Boarding Schools: AUD 11,000 - AUD 22,000 per annum

_{Source: https://ieltsidpindia.com/blog/cost-of-living-in-australia-for-international-students} 

Food and Groceries

• USA

• Food: USD 250 - USD 600 per month

• Eating out: USD 10 - USD 50 per meal

• Grocery Costs: USD 200 - USD 400 per month

• On-campus meal plans: USD 250 per month 

_{Related Source: https://www.studentcover.in/living-expenses-in-usa/} 

• Canada 

  • Food: CAD 300 - CAD 800 per month

  • Eating out: CAD 10 - CAD 15 per meal

  • Groceries: CAD 350 - CAD 800 per month 

_{Related Source: https://www.ucanwest.ca/students/new-students/cost-of-living}

• UK

  • Eating out: GBP 150 (London) and GBP 80 (other cities)

  • Groceries: GBP 155 (London) and GBP 116 (other cities) 

Related Source: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying

• Australia 

  • Eating out: AUD 140 - AUD 280 

  • Groceries: AUD 140 - AUD 280 

_{Related Source: https://ieltsidpindia.com/blog/cost-of-living-in-australia-for-international-students}

Transportation Expenses

• USA

  • Public Transport: USD 70 - USD 150 per month

  • Own car: USD 200 - USD 400 per month

_{Related Source: https://rginternational.org/cost-to-study-in-usa-for-international-students-a-complete-breakdown/#5_Transportation_Getting_Around_the_US}

• Canada 

• Public Transport: CAD 80 - CAD 150

• UK

• London - GBP 103

• Other cities: GBP 54

• Student discount: 30% off standard tube and bus fare with a Student Oyster Card (cost GBP 103)

_{Related Source: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying}

• Australia 

  • Public Transport: AUD 15 - AUD 55 per week

  • Own car: AUD 150 - AUD 260 per week

Health Insurance

•  USA - USD 1,500 - USD 2,500 per annum

• Canada - CAD 600 - CAD 900 per annum

• UK - GBP 776 per annum for students and their dependent family members

• Australia - AUD 806 per annum

_{Related Sources: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/health-insurance-international-students-us}

_{https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay}

_{https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/overseas-student-health-cover-duration-costs}

Personal Expenses & Utilities

• USA

  • Personal Expenses: USD 100 - USD 300 per month

  • Canada 

  • Cable and utilities: CAD 100 per month

  • Phone: CAD 60 per month

  • Internet: CAD 50 - CAD 100 per month

• UK

  • Entertainment: GBP 10 - GBP 50 per month

  • TV: GBP 156 per month

  • Wi-Fi: GBP 50 per month

  • Miscellaneous: GBP 20 - GBP 50 per month 

_{Related Sources: https://rginternational.org/cost-to-study-in-usa-for-international-students-a-complete-breakdown/#6_Miscellaneous_Expenses_Other_Costs_to_Consider}

 _{https://www.educanada.ca/live-work-vivre-travailler/prepare-budget-preparer.aspx?lang=eng}

_Source: https://www.idp.com/india/blog/living-cost-in-uk-for-international-students/ 

• Australia 

  • Electricity and Gas: AUD 35 - AUD 140 per week

  • Entertainment: AUD 80 - AUD 150per week

  • Phone and Internet: AUD 20 - AUD 55 per week 

Books and Academic Supplies

• USA - USD 1,000 - USD 1,500

• Canada - CAD 250 - CAD 350

• UK - GBP 21

• Australia - AUD 500 - AUD 1,000 per annum

_{Related Source: https://ieltsidpindia.com/blog/cost-of-study-in-usa}

_{https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-canada/cost-of-study/}

One of the best ways to save when studying abroad is to create a detailed budget for each month and strictly follow it. International students can also take advantage of student discounts offered by the university they attend. Choosing affordable housing options is another effective way for Indian students to budget while studying abroad. 

Listed below are some helpful tips that can help you save money as an international student:

• Divide your ‘needs’ and ‘wants’: Clearly defining these two categories can help you manage finances abroad more effectively. Try prioritising your expenses on necessities, such as education, accommodation, food, and then consider leisure or entertainment activities.

• Limit eating out: Dining out when overseas can be highly expensive. Try to cook your meals at home as much as possible to save money.

• Consider using public transportation: Owning a car may also be too costly due to maintenance, service charges, and gas. Instead, use public transport for local commutation, especially when student discounts are available. 

To further help you plan your finances effectively when studying abroad, study-abroad consultants such as IDP Education offer a range of Student Essential Services (SES). These services are designed to provide you with utmost comfort at an affordable price. Some of our most popular services widely preferred by international students are:

• Education loans to finance your studies overseas 

• Overseas student health insurance to cover medical insurance costs abroad

• Issuing a SIM card for easy phone calls to the home country 

• Forex card

• Easy money transfers

• Student banking services to manage and store your money

• Affordable accommodation options  

1. What is the average cost of studying abroad in 2025?

This may vary from one country and university to another. On average, the cost of studying in a popular study-abroad destination, such as the USA, may range from USD 20,000 to USD 85,000 per annum.

_{Source: https://www.hotcoursesabroad.com/india/why-study-abroad/all-about-studying-abroad/minimum-budget-i-need-to-study-abroad/}

2. How much money should you carry when travelling abroad?

This would differ depending on the country you choose to study in, as different countries have different living costs. For instance, if travelling to the UK, you would need an average of GBP 900 - GBP 1,400 per month.

_{Related Source: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying}

3. How much emergency fund should students keep?

It is ideally recommended to keep aside at least 3-6 months of monthly expenses as emergency funds when travelling abroad as an international student. It helps to fall back on in times of unexpected mishaps. The actual costs may vary from one country to another; hence, do plan accordingly.

4. How to find budget-friendly student accommodation?

Explore various accommodation options online on student platforms and research the cost of housing in different countries. IDP Education consultants can help provide affordable accommodation options through their Student Essential Services (SES) abroad.

5. How to avoid overspending as an international student?

Setting a monthly budget is one of the most effective ways to manage your finances while studying abroad.

6. What are some common money mistakes students make?

Overusing credit cards, failing to maintain an emergency fund, and engaging in poor budgeting practices are the three most common mistakes that many international students tend to make.

7. What kind of part-time jobs are the best for international students?

To finance their studying and living costs abroad, international students can take on part-time on-campus jobs, such as library assistants or teaching assistants, or opt for off-campus roles, including freelancing, retail sales associate, or babysitting.