Cost of Living Comparison: UK vs Canada vs USA vs Australia

If you are planning to study abroad in 2025, then your biggest question is what the cost of living in that country is. With international student movements around the world, it has become important for students to learn about the living costs of their preferred country. So, whether you are a student planning to study abroad or a parent planning expenses for their child’s future, this blog will give you a clear picture of the cost of living comparison between the UK and Australia. Let’s dive in and help you choose the place according to your budget and goals.

Cost of Living in the UK vs Canada vs the USA vs Australia

Before learning about each country’s cost of living on the basis of each category, let’s look at the table to get a summary of the cost of living across the UK, Canada, the USA, and Australia.

Expense Category	UK (GBP)	Canada (CAD)	USA (USD)	Australia (AUD)
Accommodation	GBP 900–1,800	CAD 700–1,500	USD 1,000–2,500	AUD 1,200–2,000
Food / Groceries	GBP 200–350	CAD 250–400	USD 300–500	AUD 300–450
Transport (monthly pass / public transit)	GBP 60–120	CAD 80–150	USD 70–120	AUD 100–150
Utilities + Internet + Mobile	GBP 100–160	CAD 100–180	USD 150–250	AUD 140–200
Health Insurance	Free	CAD 600–900 (per year)	USD 500–1,000 (per semester)	AUD 500–600 (per year)
Cost of Living Index	62.0	64.8	70.4	70.2

Cost of Living Comparison: City-wise Breakdown

The cost of living in each country can change depending on the city you choose. Big cities often have higher expenses, whereas smaller cities are more budget-friendly. Here is the city-wise breakdown across the UK, Canada, the USA, and Australia under each expense.

United Kingdom 

The United Kingdom offers both expensive and affordable lifestyles for students. Some cities, like London, are more expensive than most of the students’ average budget, but cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh offer significantly lower costs of living in the UK. Transport in the UK is relatively cheaper for students due to student discounts. Here, we have mentioned different cities of the UK, along with their average expenses for students.

City	Rent	Food	Transport	Utilities	Average Monthly Cost of Living
London	Highest in the UK	A little above the national average	Expensive, but student discounts help	Moderate	GBP 3,000–3,500
Manchester	More affordable than London	Affordable and student-friendly	Well-connected and cheaper	Standard	GBP 800–1,200
Birmingham	Similar to Manchester	Affordable	Convenient and student-friendly	Moderate	GBP 800–1,300
Edinburgh	Higher than most UK cities except London	Slightly expensive	Good public transport, walkable areas	Moderate	GBP 700–1,200

Also Read: US vs UK: Which is the Better Study Abroad Destination?

Canada

Canada is another big student destination, where most of the expenses are driven by housing. Canada has a nationwide shortage of houses, due to which the rent is relatively higher in most of its cities. Food and grocery amounts are also high, along with transportation. Apart from the challenges, Canada offers higher job opportunities with stable post-study immigration pathways. Look at the breakdown of the major cities of Canada and their cost of living.

City	Rent	Food	Transport	Utilities	Average Monthly Cost of Living
Toronto	Very expensive	Higher due to import dependence	Good but costly	Moderate	CAD 3,500–4,000
Vancouver	Very high, similar to Toronto	Relatively expensive	Efficient and cost-friendly	Standard	CAD 3,500–4,500
Montreal	Much cheaper than Toronto/Vancouver	Affordable	Good metro network	Low-moderate	CAD 2,800–3,500
Calgary	Lower than major metros	Moderate	Good but limited compared to Toronto	Slightly higher	CAD 1,000–2,200

United States

The cost of living in the United States of America offers variation among these four countries. Cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco are among the expensive, whereas cities like Austin, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta are more student-friendly. Healthcare is one of the biggest cost factors in the USA, along with accommodation costs. Here is the breakdown of the major cities of the USA to understand their living costs.

City	Rent	Food	Transport	Utilities	Average Monthly Cost of Living
New York	Extremely high	Expensive	Subway is affordable	Moderate	USD 3,000–5,000+
Boston	High due to prestigious universities	Slightly above the US average	Good metro system	Moderate	USD 1,500–2,500
Chicago	Moderate	Standard	Reasonable cost	Higher during winters	USD 4,300
San Francisco	Among the highest in the world	Expensive	Good public transport	Moderate	USD 3,400

Australia

Australia is a student destination with costly rent and food. However, shared accommodation can help students manage their expenses. Food prices in Australia usually fluctuate as pr the demand and production cycle. International students often find Australia more predictable than the USA or the UK. Let’s look at the cost of living in Australia and understand its monthly expenses in major cities.

City	Rent	Food	Transport	Utilities	Average Monthly Cost of Living
Sydney	Very high	Moderately expensive	Good but costly	Moderate	AUD 1,700–6,400
Melbourne	Slightly lower than Sydney	Affordable if cooking at home	Very student-friendly network	Moderate	AUD 1,500–2,000
Brisbane	More affordable than Sydney/Melbourne	Reasonable	Good connectivity	Moderate	AUD 1,400–2,100
Perth	Cheaper compared to eastern cities	Moderate	Efficient but smaller network	Moderate	AUD 1,600–2,500 (filled logically as it was cut off; let me know if you want to keep it blank)

Average Monthly Expenses for Students Abroad

Understanding day-to-day expenses for international students is as crucial as knowing about the university and the preferred course. In this section, we have mentioned the essential monthly expenses for students, which will help them to plan their budget, regardless of the country they choose.

1. Groceries & Food Items: Most of the students spend their major portion on groceries and food items. Some students save their money by cooking at home instead of going out, which is a bit costly.

2. Transport Costs: Student discounts help to reduce the transportation costs significantly abroad. Many cities also offer student passes, travel cards and campus shuttle services to their students.

3. Study Material: Books, laptops, and many other items add up to more expenses in a student’s budget. Certain courses need specialised study materials or tools for students.

4. Health Insurance: Many countries also offer health insurance for their students, for which they have to pay a certain amount or buy a plan, adding to their monthly expenses.

5. Utilities & Internet: While living off-campus, students have to pay for many utilities such as electricity, heating, WiFi, water and garbage services.

Also Read: Cost Of Living Calculator 

Hidden Student Costs

There are certain hidden costs that many students underestimate. Some of these costs are:

• Visa and immigration fees
• Phone recharge and data plans
• Winter clothing (Canada, UK, North USA)
• Laundry
• One-time setup costs like bedding, kitchen utensils, and transit cards

Important Tips for Students Studying Abroad

Choosing a study destination is not just about picking a university, but also about understanding the living expenses of that place. Here are some important insights from this blog to help you carefully plan your future steps.

1. Cost of living varies more by city than by country

2. Rent is the biggest expense everywhere

3. Healthcare costs make a major difference

4. Groceries & Utilities depend on climate and imports

5. Transport can help you with your savings

6. Your Lifestyle makes a big difference

7. First-Month Expenses Are Always Higher

8. Smart budgeting can make any country manageable

FAQs

Related Reads:

Cost of living in Albany, Australia for International Students	Where to Live in Australia as an International Student
Cost of Living in Niagara Falls: Updated Prices	Cost of Living in Broken Hill, Australia
Cost of Living in Adelaide	Cost of Living Broome 2025: A Detailed Guide

So, this was all about the Cost of Living Comparison: UK vs Canada vs USA vs Australia. 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.