Cost of Living for Students - Breakdown

During students lifestyle every penny counts. Cost of living is major factor when selecting University to apply for graduate admission or when deciding between few Universities. Cost of living calculator will give an idea about different cities and its very clear from difference in salary range for masters degree in 13 different cities,.

Also, students life style is much different from people who work full time. Here’s the breakdown of typical monthly student expenses and list gives an average of many cities, if student happen to study in LA, it will be more expensive.

• Apartment Rent  - $75 to $200/month ( Can’t avoid. More roommates less Rent)
• Electricity - $10 to $25/month
• Food - $75 - 150/month (Depends on Eating Habits)
• Laptop - $450 - $1000 ( One time investment)
• Cell phone - $35 to 45( Landline phone $5 per month when shared)
• Public transportation - $30 (usually for students its free )
• Books/Textbooks - $50 - $150 /quarter (Get books from friends or buy used books)
• Shopping/travel - $20 to $50/month ( It varies )
• Calling cards - $5 to $20/month (free if you use google talk voice chat)
• Car - $1500 - $3000 (wil discuss in separate article)
• Car maintenance - $80 to $100 / month ( Includes - insurance, gas, service, parking)
• Gifts to GFs/BFs - Unlimited
• Health Insurance - $30+/month ( if University Policy is not mandatory)

How much did I spend in School?

I graduated in 2005, with increase in Oil price cost of living has gone up in last 3 years. University of Texas at Arlington is a wonderful place to study. I have meet personally students from so many different schools, but from what they have gone through, I can certainly say, my experience at UTA was very pleasant one.

• Apartment Rent  - $75
• Electricity - $10
• Food - $125/month
• Laptop - $1500 (Fujitsu Lifebook)
• Cell phone - $45 ( I got Cell phone almost towards the end of M.S.)
• Landline phone - $5
• Books/Textbooks -I got most of books from friends/seniors
• Shopping/travel - $50 to $100/month ( It varies )
• Calling cards - $10 (Used Yahoo Messenger - Vocie chat)
• Car - $600 ( My first Car, I shared the cost- $600) )
• Car maintenance - $50 ( $100/2 insurance, gas, service, parking)
• Gifts to GFs - $0 (Poor Me!!)
• Health Insurance - ( University’s Health Policy was mandatory)

Did I miss anything? If so, write a comment to this article.

Image Credit : r-z

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