Cost of Living Comparison Across the World
By Abhinav Jain, Founder & Director, Gateway International | Btech, MBA, Serial Entrepreneur | Study abroad consultants and AI in business specialist | 12 min read | ✓ Verified Expert
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Cost of Living Comparison Matters
- Understanding Global Tuition Fees
- Living Expenses Comparison: Major Cities
- Cost of Living Calculator Tools
- Least Expensive Study Abroad Destinations
- Factors Affecting Cost of Living Comparison International
- Accommodation Options and Their Impact
- Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Part-Time Work and Student Budgeting
- Gateway International Support
- Conclusion
Introduction
An Indian student who has chosen to study in a foreign country must first find out how much it will cost to live and study in. Therefore, it’s a question of more than the calculation of the price of living. It’s. Now that we’re in the year 2025, rent, education and daily expenses are changing worldwide, and it’s more and more important to understand the differences of price and compare the prices of different places.
The cost of foreign education includes many other expenses. Now that I mention it, in the major cities of the world, the cost of living can vary greatly — rent, food, transportation, insurance and personal expenses. A comparative comparison of the cost of living will enable you to determine not only which country is the cheapest, but which is the most profitable. This is the cost-of-living guide for Indians in 2025. Which I mean, gives an insight into the current costs of living, fees payable at the various universities and practical advice about budgeting and so on.
Thing is, Gateway has the best and the most comprehensive information about the schools of the world. See, Gateway has more than 16 years of experience in the field of study abroad and has been in whether you’re trying to get into an Ivy League school or need to find the cheapest country to study abroad in, this is the site for you.
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- Germany and France are still the most popular countries for Indian students. The public universities are free or inexpensive.
- But London and Sydney are still the most expensive places for a student to live in. Oh, and another thing – berlin and the smaller French towns are more reasonable, with low rents and low daily costs.
- In 2025, Numbeo and University-life were regarded as the best sources for calculating the cost of living in the United States.
- There are also scholarship opportunities in Europe and Canada. Students from India can avail of this scholarship and pay for their studies and stay there.
- In the meantime, the situation has improved. During the semester in Canada, Australia and Germany, students can work as much as twenty hours a week, thus allowing them to earn their own living.
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Get Started →Why Cost of Living Comparison Matters
The choice of the place of study isn’t only a question of international ranking or language. The cost of living comparison is important to you, because it affects your experience and your financial well-being. Is it possible to estimate what he has to spend in India?
A properly researched comparative cost of living comparison allows you to:
- He made out a realistic I mean, budget for the cost of tuition, board,
- Travel where your will go, to places where you can get good value for.
- There are also unforeseeable costs to be borne, for example if one has to pay for.
- Compare the returns in various countries and universities.
- He also tries to take advantage of scholarships, part-time jobs and student reductions to.
The comparison of the cost of living between different places allows you to make the best decision for your studies and your family’s financial security.
🎯 Important: Accommodation Choices Impact
Certainly if one rents a room in a boarding house or an employés’ apartment, one’s expenses are much lower than if one takes a private flat, particularly in such high-priced cities as London.
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Thing is, the cost of the course and the other expenses for the foreign students represent the As we shall see, however, the price of studies varies considerably from country to country and from one university to another, depending on The programme, the programme Henceforth, if a student is to be properly prepared for the task of finding a place.
Annually, a student from abroad who wishes to study in the United States pays from twenty thousand to forty thousand dollars. Now that I mention it, it’s much higher for private colleges. UK universities, especially their postgraduate and professional schools, now demand a yearly fee of up to £30,000 (about 15 million). The cost of studying in Canada is medium, with the cost of most courses between $20,000 and $30,000, – or should I say, on the other hand, low or no tuition fees making them attractive for budget students.
It must also be mentioned that professional courses, whether in – hmm, how do I put this – medicine, law, or a business school, generally come with a higher cost, whatever the country. The prices are published on the official websites of the university.
| Country | Typical Tuition Fee (Annual) | Public/Private |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $20,000–$40,000 (INR 16–32L) | Public/Private |
| United Kingdom | £15,000–£30,000 (INR 15–30L) | Public/Private |
| Canada | CAD 20,000–40,000 (INR 12–24L) | Public/Private |
| Australia | AUD 25,000–45,000 (INR 13–24L) | Public/Private |
| Germany | €0–€1,500 (INR 0–1.3L) | Public (mostly free) |
| France | €170–€3,000 (INR 15K–2.6L) | Public (low fee) |
In this respect, if you wish to learn in what terms the average Canadian student spends his – correction: salary, and where he may find.
Check Out: Canadian Cost of Living for International Students: Complete Guide to Expenses and Budgeting
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Create Your SOP →Living Expenses Comparison: Major Cities
Depending on the city one lives in, living expenses can vary considerably. The most expensive cities for students in the world in 2025 are London and Sydney, while Berlin and smaller French cities offer better opportunities. Compare living expenses from different cities, which include rent, food, transport and personal expenditure.
The table below compares the cost of living in five major cities with a university.
| City | Rent (per month) | Food | Transport | Total Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,200–£1,800 | £200–£300 | £150–£200 | £1,600–£2,300 |
| Toronto | CAD 1,000–1,500 | CAD 300–500 | CAD 100–150 | CAD 1,400–2,150 |
| Sydney | AUD 1,200–1,800 | AUD 400–600 | AUD 150–200 | AUD 1,750–2,600 |
| Paris | €1,000–1,500 | €250–350 | €75–100 | €1,325–1,950 |
| Berlin | €400–800 | €200–300 | €60–80 | €660–1,180 |
Your choice of city will obviously have a significant influence on your comparison. BERLIN is the most modestly priced city, with London and Sydney the most expensive.
Aditi Sharma
“I used the University Living cost of living calculator before moving to Berlin. It gave me a realistic idea of my monthly expenses and helped me plan my budget. The accuracy was impressive, and I recommend it to all Indian students.”
Cost of Living Calculator Tools
This is the criterion for all judicious calculations. There are several cost of living calculators for international students. See, the most reliable guides in 2025 were Numbeo, University Live, Nerdwallet (for United States cities), and Best Student (selected countries).
- Numbeo:Community-based, citizen-updated information about rent, groceries, transport, etc. A suitable place for comparing.
- University Living:It’s a scholarly work, but there are many slang expressions of the period.
- NerdWallet:A comparative study of American cities based on C2ER data for a standard cost analysis.
- BestStudentHalls:Student life’ in UK, Australia, and a few countries in Europe.
When using this cost of living calculator, be sure to double-check your estimated rent with what’s currently being offered for rent on student housing or university dormitory pages.
Check Out: Australian Cost of Living for Students in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for International Students
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View Universities →Least Expensive Study Abroad Destinations
For the Indians who are willing to settle for a cheap course, Europe offers several attractive destinations. This reminds me, the most favourable countries in which to attend university are Germany and France, with free or very cheap tuition fees at public institutions and cheap living expenses. Italy, Poland, Belgium also have cheap studies.
A quick overview:
- Germany:Most university courses are free of charge in state-run universities. Living costs are cheap, especially away from the big cities.
- France:In public universities, the tuition is low and the free food is strong, and the public universities have.
- Italy:I shall give an example of the tuition fees in the city of Graz, which cost up to 1000 Franken.
- Poland:Low tuition fees and one of the lowest costs of living in the European Union.
- Norway:In the national university, the course is free, but the cost of living is high, and some part-time work can offset.
Thing is, when comparing costs of living, we must take into consideration the locality. Capitals and commercial cities are of course more costly than provincial towns.
Rohit Verma
“Studying in Poland was a game-changer for me. The tuition and living expenses were much lower than in Western Europe, and I could focus on my studies without worrying about finances. Gateway International guided me through every step.”
Factors Affecting Cost of Living Comparison International
A complete comparison of costs must include more than tuition and housing. A few important things must be taken into consideration.
- City/Location:Higher daily costs are incurred in large metropolises such as London, New York, and Sydney.
- Accommodation Type:I think, however, that private lodgings are more expensive than these, and I wonder if people.
- Health Insurance:In some countries compulsory; the cost varies according to the country and the cover.
- Scholarships and Aid:Grants and financial help can lower the cost considerably.
- Part-Time Work:The regulations and wages in the various countries vary. In Canada, Australia, and Germany it’s usual to work up to eight hours only.
- Exchange Rates:A change in the INR can affect your budget; consider the exchange rate.
- Lifestyle Choices:With the student’s budget, the most important thing is to live economically. Cooking at home, using public transport,
When you choose between cities, always compare them with the local cost of living and not the cost I mean, of tuition alone.
Check Out: Canadian Cost of Living for International Students in 2025: Complete Breakdown and Savings Tips
Accommodation Options and Their Impact
Accommodation is the most recurring expense after lessons. If you calculate your living expenses, you’ll see that your choice of home will bring about great changes in your monthly outlay. In general, university dormitories, shared apartments, and homestays are cheaper than private houses, especially in big cities.
On the other hand, in London a shared apartment may save one as much as 40 per cent on the rent of a studio. In Berlin student dormitories are in great demand. Wait, here’s a thought: as soon as you receive your acceptance, you can apply for university accommodation.
| Accommodation Type | Average Monthly Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Dormitory | INR 15,000–30,000 | Affordable, close to campus, utilities included | Limited privacy, high demand |
| Shared Apartment | INR 20,000–40,000 | Lower cost, social environment | Shared facilities, variable quality |
| Private Rental | INR 35,000–70,000 | Full privacy, choice of location | Expensive, utility bills extra |
| Homestay | INR 18,000–35,000 | Meals included, cultural immersion | Less independence, family rules |
Utility costs, the cost of the Internet, and the regressive local taxes must be taken into account in the case of.
🎯 Important: Early Housing Applications
Applying early for university accommodation increases your chances of securing affordable, on-campus housing, especially in high-demand cities.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The scholarship given to foreign students by the Government of India, the income from which was invested, helped to minimize the cost of education and make several countries of Europe, such as France, Germany, Canada and Australasia offer scholarships to students from abroad on the basis of merit, need and course of study.
The important scholarships for the year 2025 include:
- DAAD grants are available for selected courses in Germany.
- Graduate and Doctoral Studies (I. E. L. Funny you should ask, because excellence – France): For study in special departments.
- For post-secondary students in Canada.
- The Auschwitz Auschwitz-Nagoyev-Sinsk-Awards – for study in Auschwitz.
- Universities in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain offer scholarships to outstanding foreign students who meet their requirements.
There are always criteria to be met, deadlines to you know, meet and Gateway International helps you find the best possible scholarships for your profile and needs, and assists you in your application for.
Sandeep Kumar
“With Gateway International’s help, I secured a partial scholarship for my master’s in France. The financial aid made it possible for me to study abroad without overburdening my family.”
Part-Time Work and Student Budgeting
For these stipends, the students employed in part-time work are able to afford to stay abroad. International students may generally work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and up to 40 hours per week in the vacations. Part-time work varies according to the country and the town. But it’s often sufficient to pay the rent and the cost of.
A good budget is essential. Use a budget calculator to help you budget and stick you know, to your budget. What’s essential to you should be the first object you study. Oh, and another thing – then think Students get cheap fares on the railway and can also visit museums and take part.
You should remember that any outside work you may take on should supplement, not hinder, your Gateway to Education International can help you to find a job, and advise you on how to combine work.
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Always carry your student ID to access discounts on transportation, food, and cultural activities in your host country.Gateway International Support
Gateway International stands as a reliable guide for the Indian students who try to find out the cost of living in other countries. After the interview, the student should show the panel the degree of English that he knows. If he’s not conversant with English, he shouldn’t hesitate to state that he doesn’t know it.
Among our features and facilities, there’s a free SOP (statement of purpose) generator, an admission essay writing service, as well as a personal scholarship counsellor. Then the student who wishes to live in some other country than his own. This he can do by buying a second-hand house, and by saving as much as possible.
Wants to go to school in another country? Gateway International is here to help you. With Gateway International’s help, you can make your application. Gateway International makes it easy to study abroad.
Conclusion
The comparison of cost of living is the basis for a successful and untroubled experience in a foreign country. Actually, you know what? Having studied the cost of studies, the cost for maintenance and scholarships, students can understand the need for them. Students who are still unable to afford higher studies should think of studying abroad. Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and England are still the most commodious countries. Cities such as Berlin or the smaller towns in France offer the most economical living at the highest quality.
There are all kinds of possibilities for scholarships and entrance. Gateway International it’s too late to regret the decision, so get started now with your application to Gateway International! If you aren’t yet a foreign student, you’ll probably think that it’s too late to come to India.
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