Cost of Living in New York for Students

As rightfully sung by Alicia Keys, New York is the concrete jungle where dreams are made, and it is the city that never sleeps. The city is undoubtedly a muse for many art and artists. You have come to New York to get inspired and fulfil your dreams. Even though dreaming is free, living in New York City isn’t. Hence, we bring you this extensive guide with a complete breakdown of the average cost of living in New York.

About New York

New York is undoubtedly known as the epicentre of endless opportunities. The city that never sleeps attracts millions of people from around the globe as tourists or immigrants. New York is a well-known cultural, artistic, and entertainment centre, and it is the most densely populated city in the United States. New York City has been dubbed the world's cultural, financial, and media capital, with a significant impact on businesses worldwide. It has also impacted the global entertainment, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, fashion, and sports industries. It is the first choice for documentarians who want to photograph New York's picturesque streets. The New York living costs, as steep as they are, come as no surprise. 

Cost Overview

The Big Apple is a hubbub of constant movement and expenditure. Therefore it is no surprise that the cost of living for international students in New York is quite high. Not just New York living costs but also student apartments in New York can all pile up. Well, a general overview of what your total costs a year can range from when living and studying full-time in New York is around $13,000 to $20,000. This is inclusive of student tuition, accommodation, and other expenses. Of course, this price can be very steep for students coming from nations whose economies may not match up to the US standards, yet thousands of students every year pursue studies in the US every year. 

Common Expenses and How to Save on Them?

1. Food and Groceries

It doesn’t matter if you eat to live or live to eat; food and groceries are yet another important aspect of your cost of living in New York. The prices of your food and groceries will vary depending on your taste and preferences, but here are some ballpark figures for food and groceries in New York:

Making your own meals will significantly reduce your food costs and the cost of living in New York. Cooking simple meals for yourself may also instil a newfound love for it in you. You can also plan your meals ahead of time and create a grocery list, buy in bulk when it's cheaper, use coupons and take advantage of store sales and promotions, buy produce in season, and limit how often you eat out or order takeout.

2. Travel Expenses

Perhaps the easiest way to travel in and around New York is its public transportation. New York living costs significantly decrease when you figure out the best way to travel using the routes at your disposal. The city is renowned for its transportation options, which include the subway, buses, taxis, and bicycles.

Buses: The well-established bus system in New York is also a very convenient way to get around the city. The Port Authority Bus Terminal serves approximately 7000 buses and 200,000 commuters daily. The MetroCard and exact coin change are accepted on all city buses. The average basic of a single bus ride is $2.75. Metro card will help you cut down your travel expenses and will help you reduce the cost of living in New York

Subway: The subway is the most convenient and fastest way to get around New York City. Riding the subway is also a great way to feel like a local while in New York. Subway trains run around the clock, seven days a week. The cost of a single-ride ticket is $2.75 if you pay by MetroCard.

Taxis: The NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission licences and regulates the city's fleet of yellow taxicabs and green Boro Taxis, and they run 24/7. The minimum metered fare is $2.50, and it increases by 50 cents every fifth of a mile or minute, depending on your speed.

Bikes: Biking in the city is good for the environment and your body, and it is often faster and cheaper than driving. Cycling hotspots such as Central, Riverside, and Prospect Parks are excellent choices for exploring the city on two wheels.You can easily store your bicycles in your student apartments in New York.

Walking and cycling to the nearby neighbourhoods can help you stay fit and save money. If you plan to travel on a regular basis, you should consider purchasing combo passes or special term passes. Many public transportation companies offer substantial travel discounts to university students. If discounts are available to reduce your cost of living in New York, you can take advantage of them.

3. Student accommodation

Your choice of student apartments in New York will also impact your cost of living in New York. You have the option of living on-campus or off-campus. There are additional options for private rentals and purpose-built student housing (PBSA). PBSAs are residential communities designed with the needs of students in mind. If you're looking for cheap and comfortable student accommodation in New York City, PBSAs are your best bet.

The cost of living in New York varies according to the location of your student apartments in New York and the type of room you select. This will have an effect on your living expenses in New York.

You can choose to live in a double occupancy room or share a flat with a few roommates to save money on utilities and shared domestic expenses like food and wifi. This will help you cut down certain expenses in your cost of living in New York.

4. Utilities

When calculating the cost of living in New York, you must consider and include the cost of essential utilities. Utilities vary in price depending on where you live and how frequently you use them, but they are required for your home to function properly. Some of these expenses may already be covered by your rent, depending on where you live:

Living in a shared apartment in New York may significantly reduce your cost of living in New York. Turning off the lights and turning down the heat and air conditioning when you leave your apartment can help you save money on your typical monthly living expenses in New York.

4. Personal Care and Clothing

Wherever you go, fashion remains eternal, as does taking care of oneself. The cost of living in New York for international students also includes the expenses for personal care and clothing items. A pair of jeans of the basic variety can be purchased at around $60 - $70$, Nike running shoes can be purchased around $90 - $110, and a pair of leather men’s business shoes is around $130 - $170. These are steep rates, and one can speculate these expenses have an impact on their New York living costs. However, there are alternatives.

One can go to the Dollar Tree store or any other thrift store to browse through a selection of pre-loved clothing options and buy based on your budget. One can also opt for non-brand options of clothing to avoid paying the charges that come with the size of a brand name.

5. Entertainment

Work hard, play harder. As someone staying in student apartments in New York, one must take out the time to celebrate themselves after a long hard week and rewind. Therefore considering entertainment costs for New York living costs can help you budget better. 

1-month gym membership - $100 - $120

1 seat at a movie theatre - $15 - $25

Meal for 1 at an affordable restaurant - $18 - $30

McMeal at McDonald’s - $10

6. Tuition fees in New York 

When budgeting your cost of living in New York for international students, paying your tuition fees will be one of the major expenses. As a result, this is an important consideration when developing your budget. The top universities in New York, as well as their tuition costs, are detailed below.

New York University

New York University (NYU) is one of New York City's top universities that is ranked among the best in the world. New York University places a strong emphasis on internationalisation, with several branch campuses around the world and an impressive study abroad programme. NYU's diverse student body includes many international students. The average New York University fee on average for local tuition is  $39,965 after aid. 

Columbia University

Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university located in New York City. Columbia University, founded in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhattan, is New York's oldest university and the fifth-oldest in the United States. Here is an average breakdown of the university’s tuition fees so you can better understand the cost of living in New York for international students. The average tuition fee of this university is around $80,000 - $85,000 before aid and $13,000 - $15,000 after aid.

Cornell University

Cornell University is a member of the prestigious Ivy League and offers a variety of academic and vocational courses. Cornell University is well-known for being the first US university to offer a degree in veterinary medicine, as well as the first US university to teach modern Far-Eastern languages. The average tuition fee for an undergraduate degree is around $29,000 to $32,000 after aid.

Fordham University

Fordham University, also known as the Jesuit University of New York, is a liberal arts, science, and business university. Fordham University comprises ten colleges, four for undergraduates and six for graduate students. The average tuition fee of this university for local tuition is $35,000 - $37,000 after aid.

CUNY Hunter College

CUNY Hunter College has approximately 23,000 students and is located in Manhattan, the heart of New York City. Over 170 programmes are offered by Hunter College, ranging from nursing, urban affairs, women's studies, and Arabic to adolescent teaching and anthropology. The programmes place a strong focus on the value of research and artistic production as well as diversity. The average tuition fee of this university is $11,000 - $13,000 after aid.

Miscellaneous Expenses

One of the most significant advantages of moving out is the opportunity to explore a new city or country. There are a lot of places to explore, and things to do in New York. You will need to budget for the various expenses that will arise as a result of your cost of living in New York. New York has one of the busiest and most vibrant entertainment scenes in the country. Students in New York can also have a great time at one of the city's many bars, restaurants, pubs or New York’s best museums.

 Since you are browsing through the guide to cost of living in New York, You might also like to take a look at  New York City Guide. 

How to reduce the cost of miscellaneous expenses while living in New York?

Finding low-cost alternatives to the things you want to do is one of the most effective ways to save money on miscellaneous expenses. Another thing you can do is ask yourself if you truly require or desire this. Needs cannot be ignored, but desires can be put on hold for a while. Thrifting your clothes can also be an excellent way to reduce your cost of living in New York

Living in New York is an amazing experience, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Despite the high cost of living in New York, it is worth it for the diverse culture, exciting nightlife, and countless attractions. So if you're looking for an unforgettable experience, then New York may just be the place for you. Hope this blog helped you regarding the information needed for New York living expenses.