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Cost of Life for Indian Students in Russia

Russia is one of the largest countries in the world when it comes to the area. Apart from its geographical size, location, culture, and history, it is also the best in terms of the quality of education it provides to students. As per a survey, Russia stands in third place after Australia and Canada on the list of countries that have the most international students. In fact, there are more than 160 ethnic groups of global students who are studying in Russian universities. Because of this, thousands of global students apply for Russian educational universities and institutions every year. If you are thinking of studying abroad, then HelpXpat can assist you with all the necessary relocation services. From orientation programs to helping you with the visa process, we are the best relocation companies in Russia. In this blog, we will look at the cost of living for Indian students who want to go to Russia for higher studies.

Cost of living in Russia per month

The cost of studying for Indian students varies from that for students from other countries. An international student in Russia is said to spend an average of 18,500 to 25,000 Rubles each month. This is actually a reasonable sum based on the student’s lifestyle. The difference in the cost of living in Russia for foreign students happens due to various reasons. Here is a summary of the factors to consider while developing a budget plan for studying in Russia.

FactorsAverage cost
Accommodation15,000 – 20,000 RUB per month
Food and groceries8,000 – 20,000 RUB per month
Transportation costs280 – 300 RUB per month
Household bills5,000 – 8,000 RUB per month
Miscellaneous Expenses4,000 – 5,000 RUB per month

These are just some of the basic aspects to consider to study and live comfortably in Russia. That said, let’s look at some of the budget and expenses for each point.

Accommodation

Accommodation is one of the major factors a person considers while moving to a new country. Russia provides various accommodation facilities for students as per their budgets and preferences. Apart from rented properties, Russian universities also provide accommodation facilities. Living in a university or college hostel is cheaper than staying in rented properties. This is why many international students try to stay at university hostels. Here is a rough estimate of how much it will cost for Indian students to stay in Russia.

Accommodation typeAverage monthly cost
University dorm500 – 5,000 RUB per month
Rented apartments in Moscow and St. Petersburg20,000 – 35,000 per month
Rented apartments in Novosibirsk15,000 – 45,000 RUB per month

Note that this table is a rough estimate of the accommodation expenses in Russia. The living costs are very much high in rented apartments as compared to university dorms. So, if you are thinking of studying in Russia, make sure to pick university dormitories as it will help you save more and stay in budget.

Food and groceries

Another aspect after accommodation is food and groceries. When you are living on a budget in Russia, make sure to consider the prices for food and groceries. The costs for food and grocery vary across regions in Russia. The average expense for food and groceries ranges from 8,000 to 20,000 RUB. Here is a list of the costs of food items in Russia.

Food ItemsCost in Rubles
Milk65 RUB/liter
Eggs85 RUB/dozen
Apples94 RUB/kg
Potatoes32 RUB/kg
Bread30 RUB/loaf
Tomatoes126 RUB/kg
Lunch350 RUB (in downtown or business areas)

Note that the above are the daily expenses of food items. If you want to study and live in Russia, make sure to prepare a budget. It is best to cook meals at home than buying a takeout as it will help you save more money.

Transportation costs

Transportation costs for traveling in and outside the city are part of the budget. The transportation charges vary from one city to another. Travel expenses are high in cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg as compared to other towns and cities in Russia. You can use the public transport services especially if you are traveling to a lot of different areas. Hence, many international students prefer public transport. Here is a list of the charges about various modes of transportation.

Transportation modesAverage cost
Train journey (Monthly pass)1970 – 2000 RUB per month
Train journey (Single Trip)57 RUB per trip
Train journey Monthly pass (Student Concession)400-500 RUB per month

Trains are the main mode of transport to all the cities and towns of Russia. The prices mentioned in the table will give you an estimate of the monthly expenses for transportation. As per a survey, an international student in Russia on average spends around 400-500 RUB on transportation.

Entertainment

Entertainment is undoubtedly part of anyone’s life, especially a student’s life. Leisure activities give the students some time to rejuvenate their minds from intense study loads. Russia encourages this and hence caters to amazing leisure activities for students and locals in the country. Some popular leisure activities in Russia are sports, movies, theatre, etc. That said, check out the expenses on leisure activities typically needed by international students in Russia.

Entertainment activitiesCost in Rubles
Theatre tickets500-2,500 RUB
Movie tickets150 – 500 RUB
Museum tickets100 – 1,000 RUB
Gym or Fitness centers1,500 – 5,000 RUB
Swimming Pool passes300 – 500 RUB

Miscellaneous expenses

Miscellaneous expenses are basically a student’s expenditure on various items in their daily lives. These may include utility bills, medical expenses, trips, books, mobiles, stationery items, etc. Needless to say, they add heavily to a person’s budget.

Miscellaneous commoditiesAverage monthly cost
Mobile and internet bills300 – 500 RUB/month
Clothes500 – 1500 RUB/month
Medical insurance5000 – 7000 RUB/month
Books and stationery200-500 RUB/month

The above are some of the average expenses dealt by international students in Russia. Note that it all comes down to the student’s lifestyle, daily eating habits, requirements, etc. which can vary from one person to another.

How to maintain a budget in Russia as a student

The cost of goods and services is expensive in some parts of Russia, which makes it difficult to maintain a simple living there. Therefore, you must create a budget and stick to it if you intend to study abroad in Russia. Additionally, there are some doable strategies to maximize your spending and budget in Russia.

  • Applying for scholarships is one of the best ways for maximizing your budget while staying in Russia. International students have access to several chances and scholarships thanks to the Russian government. Scholarships are a great choice if you want to keep and maximize your money.
  • Look for part-time jobs when you are in Russia. The majority of international students go for part-time jobs along with their education while earning a respectable income in stores, restaurants, malls, cafes, libraries, etc.
  • Both local and international students are eligible for discounts in various sectors such as transportation, dining, lodging, and others. So, make sure to choose student discounts if you want to stay within your budget and live a good life.
  • Look for less expensive options in all areas, such as transportation, dining, etc. You can save a lot of money by choosing more cost-effective solutions, such as public transportation, home-cooked meals, and public buses.

How can HelpXpat assist you?

We at HelpXpat are one of the top relocation companies in Russia that assist students who want to study or work in Russia. We have many experts who are proficient in your native language and can help you with finding the perfect location near your university, provide you orientation program, help you with visa assistance, and any relocation assistance you need.

We understand how daunting relocating from one place to another can be. Hence, we provide moving assistance as well. We are the top international moving companies in Russia that offer assistance for those who are planning to move in or move out of Russia.

Our prices are budget-friendly and our packages are customizable as per the client’s preferences. This is what makes us one of the top moving companies in Russia.

Want to know more? Call us at the International Call center Number – 00971528102947 or Toll-free Number inside Russia – 00971525026611 to know more. We will be happy to assist you.

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