When planning to study abroad, tuition fees get most of the attention but living costs can make or break your budget. Rent, food, transport, insurance, and daily expenses quickly add up.

The good news? Some countries offer quality education plus affordable living costs, making them ideal for international students who want value for money.

Here are some of the best countries with low cost of living for students in 2026.

Poland

Poland is one of the most budget-friendly countries in Europe.

Average Living Cost: €400–€700 per month
Why it’s affordable:

• Low rent compared to Western Europe
• Cheap public transport
• Reasonably priced food and utilities
• Many English-taught programs

Cities like Warsaw and Kraków are vibrant but still cheaper than most Western European capitals.

Hungary

Hungary combines affordable living with strong academic programs.

Average Living Cost: €500–€800 per month
Why students choose Hungary:

• Budget-friendly accommodation
• Affordable groceries
• Scholarships like Stipendium Hungaricum
• Central European location

Budapest offers a lively student life without Western Europe prices.

Malaysia

Malaysia is extremely affordable for international students.

Average Living Cost: $400–$700 per month
Why it stands out:

• Low rent and transport costs
• English widely spoken
• International branch campuses
• Affordable healthcare

Kuala Lumpur offers modern city life at a fraction of the cost of cities like London or Sydney.

India

India is one of the cheapest study destinations globally.

Average Living Cost: $300–$600 per month
Why it’s affordable:

• Extremely low rent in many cities
• Cheap transportation
• Affordable food and services
• Many English-taught programs

Daily expenses are significantly lower compared to Europe, North America, or Australia.

Turkey

Turkey offers relatively low living costs compared to many European countries.

Average Living Cost: $400–$800 per month
Why consider Turkey:

• Low accommodation costs
• Affordable meals and public transport
• Government scholarships available

Istanbul and Ankara are popular student cities with moderate costs.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is cheaper than most Western European countries.

Average Living Cost: €500–€900 per month
Why it’s attractive:

• Low rent outside Prague
• Affordable transport passes
• Quality public universities

Studying in Czech language can even eliminate tuition at public universities.

Germany

Germany is famous for low or no tuition fees at public universities.

Average Living Cost: €700–€1,000 per month
Why it’s budget-friendly:

• Free public education
• Student discounts
• Strong part-time work options

Living costs are manageable, especially outside cities like Munich.

Mexico

Mexico offers low living costs compared to the US or Canada.

Average Living Cost: $400–$800 per month
Why it works:

• Affordable housing
• Low food and transportation costs
• Growing international student community

It’s a good alternative for students who want proximity to North America without high expenses.

Country	Average Monthly Living Cost	Key Advantage
Poland	€400–€700	Low rent in Europe
Hungary	€500–€800	Scholarships + low costs
Malaysia	$400–$700	Cheap & English-speaking
India	$300–$600	Very low daily expenses
Turkey	$400–$800	Affordable + cultural mix
Czech Republic	€500–€900	Central Europe access
Germany	€700–€1,000	Free public tuition
Mexico	$400–$800	Affordable North America

How to Reduce Living Costs Abroad

Choose smaller cities instead of capital cities
Apply for student housing (often cheaper than private rent)
Use public transport discounts
Cook at home instead of eating out
Work part-time if visa allows

If your priority is affordability, countries like Poland, Hungary, Malaysia, India, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Mexico offer excellent balance between cost and quality. Choosing the right destination can significantly reduce financial pressure while still giving you an internationally recognised degree.

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