TL;DR — Government-published living-cost thresholds are floors, not budgets. Realistic monthly spending in Sydney, London, Toronto and Auckland typically runs 15 to 25 percent above the immigration threshold. Regional cities cut spending by 20 to 35 percent.
Every family we counsel asks the same question at some point: how much does it actually cost to live abroad as a student? The honest answer distinguishes between the number the immigration authority accepts as evidence, and what you will realistically spend each month.
Government-published thresholds by country
| Country | Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | AUD 29,710 per year | Department of Home Affairs |
| Canada | CAD 22,895 per year (outside Quebec) | IRCC |
| New Zealand | NZD 20,000 per year | Immigration New Zealand |
| United Kingdom | GBP 1,483 per month London / GBP 1,334 per month outside London | Home Office |
| United States | Per Form I-20 (school-specific) | U.S. Department of State |
Where the money goes
- Accommodation — typically the largest cost. Shared apartments cut it significantly.
- Food and groceries — cooking at home saves 40 to 60 percent versus eating out.
- Transport — monthly public transport passes in most cities are 50 to 150 in local currency.
- Utilities — often bundled in shared accommodation; check the rental agreement.
- Health cover — OSHC (Australia), IHS (UK), provincial or private (Canada), school plan (US), private (NZ).
- Phone and internet — 30 to 60 per month in local currency.
- Personal / social — variable; budget realistically.
Regional vs metropolitan
- Adelaide typically 25 percent cheaper than Sydney.
- Manchester or Glasgow 30 percent cheaper than London.
- Winnipeg or Halifax 25 percent cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver.
- Dunedin 20 percent cheaper than Auckland.
Working while studying
- Australia: 48 hours per fortnight during term.
- United Kingdom: up to 20 hours per week for postgraduate and degree students during term.
- Canada: full-time students at eligible DLIs can work off-campus under IRCC rules.
- United States: up to 20 hours per week on-campus during term.
- New Zealand: up to 25 hours per week during term from November 2025.
Do not treat work income as a way to meet the government threshold at lodgement — it is not accepted evidence. Work income covers day-to-day spending after arrival.
Key takeaways
- Immigration thresholds are visa floors, not budgets.
- Add 15 to 25 percent buffer above the threshold for realistic monthly spending in metropolitan cities.
- Regional cities cut spending by 20 to 35 percent.
- Accommodation is the biggest line; shared apartments make the largest difference.
- Work-while-studying supports day-to-day spending but is not accepted as visa financial evidence.
Related resources
See our study abroad cost comparison, student health cover guide, and destination hubs: Australia, Canada, UK, USA, New Zealand.