United States Cost of Living 2026
The United States is used as the comparison point here, so the price level is 100% against the United States in 2023. That tells you how local prices compare overall, not what you will pay for rent, food, or transport in a specific city.
Price level, against the United States
100%
A basket of goods costing $100 in the United States costs about $100 in United States, at market exchange rates. This is a whole-economy average from the World Bank (2023), not a student budget — rent near a university and a student's own habits move it a long way in both directions.
For a student budget, this measure is a broad price comparison across everyday spending. It does not give you a monthly rent, grocery bill, or transport fare, so it cannot replace a city budget or a university estimate.
What moves a budget most is usually the mix of costs around housing, food, and getting around, plus study-related expenses. The published price level only shows the overall level against the United States, so it is useful for comparing countries but not for setting a full monthly budget.
The United States has 2,515 universities, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Columbia University, Stanford University, Yale University, and the University of California, Berkeley. Student areas include New York, Denver, Brooklyn, Cambridge, Daytona Beach, and Baton Rouge.
If you are deciding whether to study here, use the price level as a starting point and then check the costs that matter most for your own city and university. For visa planning, the study route is the F-1 Student Visa.
Questions about cost of living in United States
What does the published price level for the United States show?
It shows the overall price level against the United States, with the United States set at 100% in 2023.
Does this measure tell me what monthly rent or transport will cost?
No. It is an overall comparison and does not provide monthly rent, food, or transport figures.
How many universities are in the United States?
There are 2,515 universities.
More on United States: destination overview · universities · scholarships · student visa