Cost of Living in United States in Rupiah for One Month

The United States (USA) is one of the most developed countries in the world. Apart from being at the forefront of the economy, trade and business, this country also has a sound education system and quality. This is evident from the number of the best universities in the United States in the world's top ranking. If you are interested in continuing your studies in a neighboring country, you need to know the cost of living in the United States. Living in the USA is more expensive than in Indonesia, but it is pretty competitive compared to other developed countries.

Housing Costs (Accommodation)

The first expense of living in the United States is housing or accommodation. The USA has many housing options, but they are generally decently priced. This country does not recognize boarding houses like Indonesia, but several types of housing are available for students with various cost ranges. You can choose from several options during your studies, ranging from campus dormitories and apartments to condominiums. If you want, you can also rent a house, but the price will be more expensive than the options mentioned earlier.

Dorms

Many colleges and universities in the USA offer campus dormitories for their students. Campus dorms are the most popular choice for students because they offer an accessible location and a supportive community. In addition, dorms have rooms with several other students sharing a bathroom. Sometimes, they also require you to share a bedroom with other students. The rental price of campus dormitories varies depending on the policies of each university where you study. However, as a reference, Arizona State University provides dormitories for international students for $11,216-$12,916 (Rp.177,906,000- Rp.204,871,000) per year.

Apartment

If you want a place to live that is private and quiet, then apartments can be your first choice. Besides, many apartments are located in the city centre. This strategic location makes accessing various facilities such as shops, restaurants and entertainment venues easy. To rent an apartment in the USA, you need around US$1,500-US$4,000 per month or if we convert it to around Rp23,793,000-Rp.63,445,000.

Condominium

A condominium is a privately owned property with common parts shared by the condo owners. These sections include things like gardens, swimming pools, and laundry rooms. Condo owners are responsible for paying maintenance fees for these shared parts. Condos for international students are usually located near campuses and have facilities designed to meet students' needs, such as shared study rooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Condo rental prices in the United States usually start from USD1,700-USD4,000 (IDR26,965,000-IDR63,445,000) per month.

Rent a House

One of the housing options you can choose while studying in the United States is renting a house. But keep in mind that the rental fee for this residence will be more expensive than the previous options. Generally, you must pay a security deposit when signing the rental contract. This deposit will be refunded at the end of the contract if the house is in good condition and no damages or additional costs are incurred. The cost of renting a house in the USA is around $2,200-$4,300 per month, which translates to IDR 34,895,000-IDR 68,207,000.

Meal Expenses

The budget for food expenses fluctuates and is uncertain; it depends on one's diet. To be able to eat at an American restaurant like McDonald's (McD) requires around $10-$20 or Rp158,200-Rp316,400 if converted to rupiah for one meal. If we calculate, to eat three times a day without cooking, you will need approximately $950-$1,850 per month or, if converted into IDR 15,069,000-IDR 29,345,000. Meanwhile, if you have time to cook, eating every month will be much more cost-effective. Here is a list of prices for basic foodstuffs in Uncle Sam's country.

Raw Food Prices in the United States

If you want to really save on food costs while living in the United States, all you can do is cook. Here are the prices of some food ingredients in the USA in Rupiah, as a reference.

• Rice: $2-$4 (Rp30,000-Rp60,000) Per Kilogram
• Bread: $3-$5 (Rp45,000-Rp75,000) Per Kilogram
• Eggs: $2-$4 (Rp30,000-Rp60,000) Per 12 eggs
• Salt: $1-$2 (Rp15,000-Rp30,000) Per Kilogram
• Sugar: $2-$3 (Rp30,000-Rp45,000) Per Kilogram
• Chicken: $8-$14 (Rp120,000-Rp210,000) Per Tail
• Cheese: $32-$36 (Rp480,000-Rp540,000) Per Kilogram
• Beef: $10-$14 (Rp150,000-Rp210,000) Per Kilogram
• Red/White Onion: $2-$3 (Rp30,000-Rp45,000) Per Kilogram
• Jam: $4-$6 (Rp60,000-Rp90,000) Per Kilogram
• Milk: $1-$3 (Rp15,000-Rp45,000) Per Kilogram
• Cooking Oil: $6-$8 (Rp90,000-Rp120,000) Per Kilogram
• Onion: $2-$3 (Rp30,000-Rp45,000) Per Kilogram
• Carrots: $2-$4 (Rp30,000-Rp60,000) Per Kilogram
• Cucumber: $4-$6 (Rp60,000-Rp120,000) Per Kilogram
• Spinach: $3-$5 (Rp45,000-Rp75,000) Per Kilogram
• Corn: $10-$12 (Rp150,000-Rp180,000) Per Kilogram
• Lettuce: $13-$15 (Rp195,000-Rp225,000) Per Kilogram
• Potatoes: $3-$5 (Rp45,000-Rp75,000) Per Kilogram
• Grapes: $3-$5 (Rp45,000-Rp75,000) Per Kilogram
• Tomatoes: $4-$6 (Rp60,000-Rp120,000) Per Kilogram
• Bananas: $2-$3 (Rp30,000-Rp45,000) Per Kilogram
• Apples: $3-$5 (Rp45,000-Rp75,000) Per Kilogram
• Oranges: $4-$6 (Rp60,000-Rp120,000) Per Kilogram

Transportation Cost

ThoseThose of you who study far from campus will need transportation to get there on time. The United States has several modes of transportation popularly used by students to move from residences to campus or other places. Buses, trains, and taxis are examples of transportation in the United States. The bus fare is usually around $2.25-$3 (Rp35,600-Rp47,500) per trip. While train fares, such as from New York City to Washington, D.C., are around $15-$20 (Rp225,000-Rp300,000) per trip. Finally, a taxi in the United States costs $1.75-$2.50 (Rp26,300-Rp37,500) when boarding, then $3.5-$5 (Rp52,500-Rp75,000) for every mile travelled. If you want to save on transportation costs, you can buy a bicycle, and in the United States, there are special bicycle lanes you can use when on the road. The price of a bike in the United States is around $100-$180 or, if converted to rupiah, to be around Rp.1,502,000-Rp2,704,000.

Energy Cost

Energy is one of the primary needs that everyone will need when living anywhere, especially when abroad. It would help to consider this cost because you will spend monthly on this need. There are 3 energies that you have to calculate the expenses, namely electricity and water. How much does energy cost in the United States? Here is the estimate.

Electricity Costs

Electricity is one of the things you need while studying in the USA, not only for lighting your residence but also for air conditioning, heating, and other electronic objects. According to statistics from the American government agency, the electricity rate is $0.14 per kWh (IDR 2,100). If, for example, you use 375 kWh of electricity per month, then the electricity fee in America that must be paid is $52.5 (IDR 788,000).

Water Cost

One of the primary needs you must consider is water—not only for drinking but also for bathing or washing. According to statistical data, the average price of water in the United States is $5 per cubic meter or 1000 liters (IDR 75,000). According to one of the water treatment companies in the USA, the average person uses 2,000 gallons of water per month, or the equivalent of 7570.824 liters. So, the estimated cost of water in the United States is around $37.5 a month (Rp563,400).

Health Insurance Cost

Health insurance is one of the mandatory requirements for studying in the USA. Health insurance in the United States can be pretty expensive for a year, so you have to consider it, too. According to Forbes, the cost of insurance in the USA in a year is around $4,560-$4,848 (Rp68,509,000-Rp72,836,000). If we make the health insurance payment per month, it will be $308-$404 (Rp4,627,000-Rp6,070,000).

Other Expenses

Other than the expenses above, there are also some things that you should note in your budget. Some of them include entertainment and internet costs. In addition, it is also a good idea to prepare an emergency fund while studying in the United States later. It never hurts to look for unexpected events, whether good or bad.

Entertainment Costs

As long as you study in America, you will definitely need entertainment, not just nonstop learning throughout the year. One of the most accessible entertainment options is the cinema, because almost all malls in America have cinemas. However, if you are interested in the best tourist attractions in the United States, the costs will be greater, so this must also be taken into account. Here are some estimates of the cost of movie tickets and famous tourist attractions in the USA.

• Movie Tickets: $10-$11 (Rp150,000-Rp165,000) per person
• White House: Free
• Waikiki Beach: Free
• Yellowstone National Park: $35.00 (Rp526,000) per vehicle for 7 days
• Statue of Liberty (Ferry Ride):
  • Adults (13 to 61): $24 (Rp360,000)
  • Children (4 to 12): $12 (Rp180,000)
  • Seniors (62+): $18 (IDR 270,000)

Internet Costs

While studying in the USA, you will need the Internet to find study materials or communicate. Internet access is one of the costs of living in the United States, and you must calculate it because the price is relatively high. Here are the internet costs in the USA from several providers.

Emergency Fund

If something unexpected happens at university, you should take precautions by setting up an emergency fund. Wanting to start a new business or getting robbed are a few examples of situations that require you to have an emergency fund. You will need at least 3 times the cost of living for a month while living in the US as your emergency fund.

Average Cost of Living in the United States

After knowing the details of the cost of living needs in the USA, the next step is to calculate the average. Now, we simulate by using some rules to make the calculation more accurate. First, you eat in 1 day with 3x meals at the restaurant with the cheapest menu for a month. Then you live in an apartment searched through student.com, and then every day, you ride a bicycle to campus. Next, you can use insurance at the minimum price, go to the movies 1x a month, and buy an unlimited data package from Verizon. Here's the average monthly cost of living in USA. So, the estimated monthly cost of living in the United States (USA) is around $3,320 (IDR 52,662,000). The estimated costs above can be more expensive or cheaper, depending on your lifestyle. You can cut food costs by cooking meals using raw ingredients.

Planning to Study in America?

Apart from getting a quality education from reputable universities, studying in America will provide you with other opportunities. For one, you can experience life in various cultures and meet people from all over the world. The costs that will be incurred are comparable to what you will get while studying in the USA. Moreover, if you excel, then you can have the opportunity to work in large companies in the United States. Here, you can find information about studying abroad and various majors.SUN Education collaborates with many of the world’s top institutions overseas, such as in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, Germany, and Asia. If you need the latest information, follow SUN Education’s social media on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. You can also make a FREE consultation via the Hotline at 0821 33 34 35 36 or come directly to your city’s nearest SUN Education office. Download the SUN Education Mobile App or read the SUN E-Guidebook for easier and FREE access to information!