10 Most Expensive Cities in the World For Students to Study Abroad
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Some of the best universities in the world are located in the most expensive cities worldwide. If you are planning to study abroad then it is important to know the list of costliest cities in the world for students so you can plan your finances in the early stage.
It is true that studying abroad is slightly expensive for Indian students. Most of the top-ranked universities are located in some of the costliest cities in the world. These cities are expensive because of the high cost of living. Singapore, Zurich, New York City, London, Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Oxford, and Sydney are the top 10 most expensive cities in the world for abroad studies.
Students need to have a hefty amount to cover their living expenses in these cities. The Cost of studying abroad is one of the prime factors to consider when it comes to choosing a destination for higher studies. In recent years, the trend of studying abroad has increased. Many students are travelling out of India for higher studies. If you are an Indian student who is going to study abroad, then having a clear idea about the expenses is important. In this blog, we will mention a list of the 10 most expensive cities in the world for study abroad in 2024. Also, you’ll get to know about the best universities in that country for international students.
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Key Factors Determining Cost in Top Study Abroad Cities
The cost of studying in a country depends on various factors that affect the overall budget. Tuition fees, living costs, travelling expenses and health insurance are the majorly known key factors. All play a big part in deciding the budget for studying abroad. It is known to all that, tuition fees can be different for each university and country.
The living expenses such as accommodation rent will not be the same for living inside the city or outside. Health insurance is an integral part of the total cost of studying outside India. If a student falls ill or is injured during their studies in another nation, then health insurance covers the total medical expense.
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World’s Most Expensive Cities for Studying Abroad
Check out the list of the 10 most expensive cities in the world for students. In the table below, we have mentioned the per month housing rent in the most expensive cities in the world to study abroad. This data is according to Mercer's Cost of Living Survey 2024. We have kept only those cities where top universities are located.
- Singapore
- Zurich
- New York City
- London
- Copenhagen
- Los Angeles
- Edinburgh
- Cambridge
- Oxford
- Sydney
Costliest Cities in the World 2025
Here is the list of top 10 most expensive cities worldwide based on the cost of living
Source: Mercer
Most Expensive Countries to Study Abroad 2025
Below, we have mentioned a list of the costliest countries in the world for higher studies. The table mentioned below has information about a range of tuition fees for UG and PG courses in these countries. These key insights will help you to create financial planning for study abroad.
| Expensive Countries |
Tuition Fee Range for UG Courses Per Year |
Tuition Fee Range for PG Courses Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| USD 20,000 to USD 40,000 |
USD 20,000 to USD 45,000 |
|
| USD 13,000 to USD 29,000 |
USD 14,300 to USD 32,500 |
|
| USD 12,600 to USD 25,200 |
USD 13,000 to USD 30,000 |
|
| USD 9,650 to USD 15,000 |
USD 12,600 to USD 18,500 |
|
| USD 12,200 to USD 15,300 |
USD 11,600 to USD 18,300 |
How to Study in Most Expensive Cities in the World?
There is no doubt that you need a good amount to study in the best universities located in the costliest cities in the world. Below, we have mentioned some of the popular scholarships to study abroad for Indian students. This list will include government and private scholarships with other related details.
- The Ministry of Education of India offers Commonwealth Scholarship for the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Israel, China, Japan and more countries.
- GREAT Scholarships (UK)
- Manmohan Singh Scholarships (UK)
- Global Study Awards (USA)
- Tata Scholarship (USA)
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| Student Loan Eligibility Criteria | Education Loans for Studying Abroad | Education Loan Calculator |
Tips to Study in Costliest Cities in the World
You must have some financial planning to manage or save money while studying abroad. We have mentioned some of the most popular and tried tips to minimize the cost.
- Choose Shared Accommodation such as shared apartments or student dormitories
- Plan your budget at the beginning of the month
- Learn cooking
- Use student discounts (If available) or shop during the sale
- Find Part-time work opportunities
- Use PDFs or digital copies of books
- Choose free entertainment events
- Get a health insurance
Financial planning will help students align with the cash flow and expenses. Students will be focused on their studies as they won't spend hours managing expenses, Best tool to avoid extra expenses,
Most Expensive Cities Worldwide for Expats in 2025
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Cost of Living Survey 2023, Singapore and Zurich are the costliest cities in the world. They have jointly claimed the top spot in the list. This is 9th time in the last 11 years that Singapore has been on the list of the top 10 most expensive cities worldwide.
| Top Cities (Countries) |
Monthly Cost of Living Without Rent (In INR) |
|---|---|
| New York (USA) |
1.34 Lakhs |
| Hong Kong (China) |
95.79 Thousand |
| Geneva (Switzerland) |
1.43 Lakhs |
| London (United Kingdom) |
1.13 Lakhs |
| Singapore |
93.00 Thousand |
| Zurich (Switzerland) |
1.59 Lakhs |
| San Francisco (USA) |
1.28 Lakhs |
| Tel Aviv (Israel) |
94.63 Thousand |
| Seoul (South Korea) |
95.35 Thousand |
| Tokyo (Japan) |
75.14 Thousand |
Note: EIU’s costliest cities worldwide 2023 survey was conducted between 14 August to 11 September 2023. 173 cities of different nations were covered in the survey.
Top Universities in Costliest Cities Worldwide to Study Abroad
All above mentioned cities are located in developed nations. New York City (USA) and Paris (France) are the most popular cities among international students. To decide the cheapest and costliest cities in the world survey agencies compare the prices of groceries, rent and other necessary expenses in these cities.
According to ECA International, here are the 10 most expensive places for International students. To help students, we have mentioned city-wise top universities.
| Top Cities (Countries) |
Top Universities in the City |
|---|---|
| New York (USA) |
|
| Hong Kong (China) |
|
| Geneva (Switzerland) |
|
| London (United Kingdom) |
|
| Singapore |
|
| Zurich (Switzerland) |
|
| San Francisco (USA) |
|
| Tel Aviv (Israel) |
|
| Seoul (South Korea) |
|
| Tokyo (Japan) |
|
Must Read
| Cost of Living in Toronto Ontario | Cost of Living in Japan | Living Cost in London for Students |
| Cost of Living in Australia | Cost of Living in Canada for Indian Students |
Top Reasons Behind the Increasing Cost of Living
New York, London, Geneva, and Singapore are the costliest cities in the world for Indian students due to the higher currency value and expensive cost of living. House rent, grocery and travel costs are the major expenses for expats living in the cities mentioned above.
Below, we have mentioned some key points that will help you to understand the reason behind the increasing living expenses in these cities.
- Tokyo is the costliest city in Japan and third in Asia. The expensive living expenses in Tokyo recently surged which is making Tokyo expensive to live as a student.
- Due to the ongoing Hamas-Israel War, the price of groceries increased. According to the Times of Israel, the cost of living accelerated above by 5% inflation and house prices increased by 20% (Before War).
Cheapest Countries in the World for Students to Study Abroad
Now, it is time to know some of the cheapest countries in the world for study abroad. Below, we have mentioned the top 7 nations across the world that are most affordable for Indian students to study abroad. Subsidized education and lower currency value are the key reasons behind the affordability of these countries. Check the list
- Norway
- Malaysia
- Spain
- France
- Germany
- South Africa
- Taiwan
Students are advised to do their research when it comes to university selection. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
Q: Â What are the most expensive cities in the world?
Q: Â What are the costliest cities in the world to study abroad?
Here are the top 10 most expensive cities in the world for international students:
- Singapore
- Zurich
- New York City
- London
- Copenhagen
- Los Angeles
- Edinburgh
- Cambridge
- Oxford
- Sydney
Most of the top-ranked universities are located in some of the costliest cities in the world. These cities are expensive because of the high cost of living.
Q: Â Is Singapore Management University hard to get into?
According to various sources, Singapore Management University has an acceptance rate of around 45% which makes it moderately selective for international student admissions. Some of the general admission requirements at the university are given as follows:
- Academic Transcripts
- International Qualifications that are equivalent
- Standardized Test Scores
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
After the student receives an offer letter, they are required to give the admission interview to be enrolled.
Q: Â What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Â Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: Â Is it worth studying at Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia?
Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia (MITA) is largely regarded as one of Australia's top institutions. It has a solid reputation in engineering, business, and science.
To begin with, Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia provides a world-class education with an emphasis on hands-on learning. You will be able to gain practical knowledge and abilities in a range of disciplines. Furthermore, the institution provides a wide range of courses and programmes that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required for a successful profession.
Second, the university is well-known on a global scale. It has the highest graduate employability rate in Australia. This is due to the great level of education and possibilities provided by the university to its students.
Third, the university boasts a broad and vibrant culture. While learning, you will be able to pursue your hobbies and meet like-minded people. This will aid in the development of your professional chances and the formation of strong relationships that will continue long after you graduate.
Fourth, the institution provides a wide range of facilities and services to make your studies more pleasurable and productive. You will be able to locate
Q: Â Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: Â What is the PTE requirement for Stanley College Australia?
The PTE score for international students must be in the range of 50-57 for Stanley College Australia. However, students are expected to fulfill other English language proficiency tests along with PTE. The table below is the English language proficiency score for all the tests required at Stanley College:
Exam | Score Required |
|---|---|
Overall 60-78 | |
6.0 | |
50-57 | |
Cambridge English Advanced | 169 |
Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio
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According to the EIU's the latest survey, here are some costliest cities in the world:
Increasing cost of living, housing rent and other expenses in these cities are the reason behind this. More than 170 cities across the globe were part of this survey.