Unveiling the Cost of Living in NYC for Students
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Cost of Living in New York City for an international student can be high. They need to have a budget between USD 2,000 to USD 3,500 (INR 1.66 Lakhs to 2.91 Lakhs) per month to spend. This amount includes the expenses of accommodation, groceries, transportation, and other essential bills. Check out the article for details on the cost of living in NYC.
The average cost of living in New York City is between USD 13,000 to USD 18,900. The price of living in New York varies based on the level of course opted for. For undergraduates, the cost of living in NY City is slightly higher than for postgraduates.
Various factors affect the living costs in the USA and its Big Apple for international students. From accommodation to transportation and miscellaneous expenses, all are calculated together to account for living costs. Since the cost of living index for New York is 100 based on 2024 reports. Thus, New York is almost ten times more expensive than Indian metros. More details are elaborated below.
Related Read: Top 10 Most Expensive Cities in the World
Living Expenses in New York for Students Highlights
- The cost of living in New York for an Indian student pursuing higher education is between INR 18.89 lakhs to INR 20 lakhs an annum.
- PG course students must spend around USD 8,000 annually on housing in NYC.
- The cost of living for UG students in the NY City is USD 22,000.
- While the price of living in New York for PG students is around USD 18,000.
- Overall, the cost of living in New York City is higher than in other US states for international students.
Cost of Living in NY for International Students
The cost of living in NY City for international students is slightly on the higher side. The basic expenditure that applicants may have to spend, has been given in the table below for reference:
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Price of Utilities in New York for Students
As international students, there are broad categories under which expenses are incurred on utilities while staying and studying in NY City. Check them out in the article below:
| Expenses Covered for |
Costs of Living in New York (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Monthly Pass for Travel |
USD 130.43 |
| Cost of Dining Outside |
USD 128 |
| Basic Utilities - Mobile bills, WiFi, Gasoline, Electricity |
USD 306.13 |
| Clothing |
USD 211 |
| Sports & Leisure |
USD 200 |
| Entertainment |
USD 80 |
There may be expenses apart from the above-mentioned ones for international students studying in New York. It is always better to check for the expenses based on different entities and then plan the budget.
Cost of Accommodation in New York for Students
Apart from utilities, there are costs of accommodation also which are essential in calculating the overall cost of living in New York. The following are the rents paid for international students in New York City:
- 1 Bedroom Apartment within the City: USD 4,116
- 1 Bedroom Apartment outside the City: USD 2,685
- 3 Bedroom Apartment within the City: USD 8,537
- 3 Bedroom Apartment outside the City: USD 4,357
Based on budget and option of availability, the students can opt for any of the above given accommodation types in NYC. The cost of living heavily depends on the accommodation costs first and other costs later, so choose wisely.
Cost of Groceries in New York City for Indian Students
Since the price of living in New York for students is not just based on broad categories, there are different commodities also which have an expense head. The following table wil help students to plan how much they will be spending on the following given items irrespective of their housing options:
| Grocery Items |
Living in NYC Cost |
Cost of Living in NYC for Indians |
|---|---|---|
| Dining in an inexpensive restaurant |
USD 26.50 |
INR 2,203 |
| 1 litre of milk |
USD 1.40 |
INR 11.6 |
| White bread loaf |
USD 4.60 |
INR 382 |
| 1 kg white rice |
USD 7.31 |
INR 609 |
| A dozen eggs |
USD 5.56 |
INR 462 |
| 1 kg local cheese |
USD 16.59 |
INR 1,379 |
| 1 kg red meat |
USD 20 |
INR 1,662 |
| 1 kg apples |
USD 7.03 |
INR 584.3 |
| 1 kg bananas |
USD 2.08 |
INR 173 |
| 1 kg oranges |
USD 5.93 |
INR 493 |
| 1 kg tomatoes |
USD 6.34 |
INR 527 |
| 1 kg potatoes |
USD 4.17 |
INR 347 |
| 1 kg onions |
USD 3.63 |
INR 302 |
| 1.5-litre water bottle |
USD 2.41 |
INR 200 |
| Total Monthly Expenses |
USD 113.55 |
INR 9,335 |
(Source: Numbeo)
For Indian students, the monthly expense head to live in New York City is INR 9,335 so the yearly expenses account to INR 1,20,000 which excludes housing costs.
Expenditure Analysis for Cost of Living in New York City
For international students aiming to study in New York City, there is an expenditure analysis that every international student needs to take care of. As per Numbeo, for international students, the cost of living in NYC requires expenditures in the following order:
- Rent per month: 48.2%
- Markets: 23.1%
- Dining out: 11.2%
- Transportation: 5.7%
- Sports & Leisure: 5.7%
- Monthly utilities: 4.9%
- Clothing and shoes: 1.3%
Overall, the life expenses in New York are heavily dependent on high rentals and taxes for international students. The next most important aspect of expenditure is on groceries from supermarkets. The lowest expenses are incurred on clothing and shoes unless they are non-branded.
Students who are going to study in the universities of New York should look for universities which offer scholarships on tuition. Plus, another way of catering to living costs in New York is by taking up part-time jobs in the USA. Finally, look for student discounts so that additional slashing of costs can be possible. This way, somehow, the cost of living in New York for international students can be reduced.
If you are looking for admissions across New York universities, and require assistance, you can sign up for our free Shiksha Abroad Counselling. Or you can write your queries in the comments box below.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: 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: Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Q: Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?
The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.
Q: How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: Can I get into Oregon State with a 3.5 GPA?
International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:
| Program | Minimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
| Graduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
Read about the Grading System in the USA
Q: What is Northwest Missouri acceptance rate?
The Northwest Missouri acceptance rate for international students is around 80%. This shows that the university follows a moderate selection criteria when it comes to admission. However, the moderate selection criteria does not imply that the university accepts every application. International students must showcase their excellent academic performance, score high GPA, submit standardized test scores and English language proficiency test scores. In addition, if a student has a history of participation in relevant extracurricular or experience, their selection probability increases by 50%.
Q: What GPA do I need to get into Northwest Missouri state?
Northwest Missouri State University expects a cumulative GPA of 2 for UG programs and 3 for PG programs on a scale of 4. GPA is one of the top factors when considering students for university admissions. Along with GPA, the university expects a student to provide high school transcripts from previously attended university or school, standardized test scores, English language proficiency test scores, and more. In addition, students with relevant experience in the chosen field are preferred over the studious students.
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