Albania is a small, fantastic country in southern Europe. It is situated on the western part of the Balkan Peninsula, overlooking the mesmerising Strait of Otranto. Albania also serves as the southern gateway to the Adriatic Sea. The average cost of living in Albania is around ALL 1,02,000 per month for a single person including rent, but it can vary according to their living standards.
In this blog post, we will show the cost of living in Albania in various parameters, such as average tuition, housing rent, food costs, transportation costs, utilities costs, healthcare costs, and many others. So, let’s begin our discussion without any further delay.
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Cost of Living in Albania for International Students
On average, the cost of living in Albania is around ALL 59,548 without rent, which is 1.32 times less costly than the world average. However, this cost includes food, rent, transportation, and many other things.
Albania is famous for its high-quality education system and educational programs at an affordable tuition fee. Studying abroad in Albania is cheaper than in many other countries. Here, we have given the general breakdown of the average cost of living in Albania in different categories for the emigrants who wish to move here:
Cost of Rent in Albania
The average cost of rent in Albania for a single person or student is around 7043.78 CUP in the city centre. Depending on the budget and lifestyle of international students. The costs of living in Albania concerning apartment rent are as follows:
Apartment Location | Monthly Rent |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | ALL 42,665 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | ALL 29,992 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | ALL 71,716 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | ALL 47,449 |
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Cost of Grocery in Albania
Albania’s grocery expenditure is about ALL 6150; it covers essential items like milk, water, dairy, drinks, vegetables, and other necessities. These expenses play a significant role in determining the overall cost of living in Albania. Below, you’ll find a selection of grocery items along with their corresponding prices in Albania:
Grocery Item | Price |
Milk (regular), (1 liter) | ALL 172.51 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | ALL 82 |
Rice (white), (1kg) | ALL 185.04 |
Eggs (regular) (12) | ALL 313.17 |
Apples (1kg) | ALL 125.67 |
Banana (1kg) | ALL 216.60 |
Oranges (1kg) | ALL 144.91 |
Tomato (1kg) | ALL 147.73 |
Potato (1kg) | ALL 95.27 |
Onion (1kg) | ALL 99.12 |
Lettuce (1 head) | ALL 98.17 |
Water (1.5 litre bottle) | ALL 60.08 |
meat, egg, drinks and Other items | ALL 4400 |
Cost of Utilities in Albania
The basic monthly utility cost for a single person in Albania is around ALL 8,528 which is relatively affordable compared to Albania’s overall cost of living. These utility costs cover electricity, gas, a mobile phone plan, and internet services. In the table below, you’ll find a breakdown of utility costs in Albania for immigrant students:
Utility Type | Monthly Cost |
Basic Utility for 85m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | ALL 8,528 |
Monthly Plan of Mobile Phone (with Calls & 10GB+ Data) | ALL 1,522.72 |
Internet (60+ Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | ALL 1,620.19 |
Cost of Transportation in Albania
Buses are the most recommended mode of transportation in Albania. It offers a comfortable and air-conditioned way to explore the country. Although the train network is limited, it also provides cheap fares and beautiful views. If you are concerned about driving, remember that you will need an international permit for up to a year and an Albanian licence for extended stays.
Transportation contributes around ALL 1,600 per month for local city transport. It comes under the overall cost of living in Albania. Here are various modes of transportation with their fare costs:
Mode of Transport | Monthly Cost |
One-way Ticket(Local Transport) | ALL 40 |
Monthly Pass(Regular Price) | ALL 1600 |
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff) | ALL 300 |
Taxi 1km(Normal Tariff) | ALL 300 |
Taxi 1 hour Waiting(Normal Tariff) | ALL 1400 |
Gasoline (1 litre) | ALL 194.36 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Scotland: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Average Tuition Fees in Albania
For international students, choosing Albania is a great choice. You can get a quality education in the English language. If you decide to move to Albania for your higher studies, the essential thing for you is the average tuition fees in Albania’s Universities along with the cost of living in Albania.
Now, in Albania’s universities, the average tuition fee for undergraduate programs is around ALL 19000 to ALL 427043 per year, whereas for masters programs, the average tuition fee is around ALL 633352 per year. However, the tuition fees in Albania’s universities can vary depending on the university and program.Here in the table below, we have given the average tuition fee along with the university names:
University | Average Tuition Fees (Approximate) | Programs Provided |
University of Tirana | ALL 237246 | Law, Economics, Foreign Languages, Biology, Chemistry, History, Sociology, and more |
Aleksander Moisiu University | ALL 94898 | Business, Education, Information Technology, Political Science |
Fan Noli University | ALL 379594 | Humanities, Agriculture, Economics, Education, Philology, Natural Sciences |
Ismail Qemali University | ALL 94898 | Public Health, Economics, Engineering, Humanities |
Luigj Gurakuqi University | ALL 148326 | Natural Science, Law, Foreign Language, Social Science |
Polytechnic University of Tirana | ALL 200425 | Engineering and related fields |
Agricultural University of Tirana | ALL 88445 | Forestry, Ecology, Veterinary and related fields |
Aldent University | ALL 101161 per semester | Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Technology, and more |
Luarasi University | ALL 189797 to ALL 474492 | Information Technology, Medical Science, Economics, Law |
University of New York, Tirana | ALL 332144 | Banking, Finance, Law, Social Science, Computer Science, Psychology |
Things to Consider Before Moving to Albania
Before finalising the cost of living in Albania’s budget, a student should consider a few other notable things while moving to Albania for higher studies. There are generous options for international students to excel academically and have fun in Albania. Some of them are given below:
Healthcare in Albania
Healthcare in Albania has had its challenges, with better options in Tirana than elsewhere. You should keep some medicines from your home country, as availability is an issue here. Moreover, having healthcare insurance is essential, including coverage for dental treatment.
Culture in Albanian
Albanian culture is a fascinating blend of Eastern and Western influences, offering a unique experience for visitors. You’ll find many familiar aspects but also some fascinating and different elements. For expats, the quality of life in Albania can be excellent. It’s a country that offers beauty, affordability, and a warm welcome. Albanians are known for their hospitality and willingness to assist, even if a language barrier exists.
Work Opportunities in Albania
The Albanian job market is less developed than some other European countries, but there are opportunities in tourism and IT. However, the average salary in Albania is 53,977, which is higher than in other developing countries and is much higher than the cost of living in Albania.
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FAQs
Answer: The Cost of living in Albania is around 102000 per month for a single person, including rent. However, it can vary for an expat depending on where they choose to live, their university selection, and their lifestyle. This means that it is possible to maintain a comfortable lifestyle while spending less money.
Answer: The average cost of food in Albania for inexpensive restaurants is around ALL 850. A meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant for three is around 3,500, which makes the cost of living in Albania affordable.
Answer: Near the city centre, the Cost of living in Albania is around 102000 per month for a single person, including rent. For a family of four members, it is around ALL 131264. However, it can vary for an expat depending on where they choose to live, their university selection, and their lifestyle.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Albania. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.