Cost of Living in New York for Students

University Living • Last updated: March 11, 2026

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New York is a bustling metropolis and a popular hub for international students. The city has diversity and renowned universities making it a buzzing state with students.

It is a big city in the U.S., so finding student housing in New York is easy, and getting around the city is accessible.

What is the cost of living in New York?

The cost of living in the city for a single person will be around $1,942 per month. It will exclude your tuition fees.

Before we list the details of the cost of living in New York, let’s summarize its cost.

Expenses	Cost (Average)
Average Tuition Fees	$30,000 – $60,000 / Year
Accommodation	$1,389 – $3,731 / Month
Transportation	$165 / Month

Costs of Tuition Fees

The fee for postgraduate and undergraduate will vary on the course and the university of your choice.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee	Post-Graduate Tuition Fee
$30,000 to $50,000 / Year	$30,000 to $60,000 / Year

Student Accommodation Costs

Student accommodation is a residential accommodation for students. There are three types of student accommodation available in New York. They are listed below for your understanding:

1. Student Housing

Student housing is a type of accommodation owned privately. In this, you can find affordable en-suite and studio rooms closely located near the campus. They provide modern amenities with an inclusive bill.

Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are upto 20 miles.

Student Housing	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	$1,389 – $2,461 / Month

2. Private Apartment

In a private apartment, you get a space to live with a bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen area. All come with one bedroom, two bedrooms and so on. So, you can choose to stay on your own or share it with friends.

Apartment	Price
Private	$2,495 – $3,731 / Month

3. University Halls

It is a place where students reside within the university campus. Uni Halls are available only to students who study at a particular university. There are many rooms available here.

University Hall	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	$700 – $2,000 / Month

Food

New York is an expensive destination to dine outside of the world. The cost of food in New York is $500 per month. It’s advisable to cook and eat at home. If you have time, groceries are cheaper in Queens.

Utility Bills

Gas, electricity bill, wifi, it can be expensive in New York. With student housing or private apartments, you do not have to bother much about it as it is all covered.

Transportation

Subways, trams, and buses are the best way to get around the city. If you purchase a metro card, you can use it on all modes of transport. You can recharge a minimum of $5.50 on the card.

Things to do in New York

Living in New York is like living on many sides of the world. One gets to explore monuments, nature, entertainment, culture, etc. The best part is most places to visit are free!