What students actually spend in 2026 — category by category
The average college student in the U.S. spends between $1,050 and $2,200 per month on personal living expenses — not including tuition, mandatory fees, or health insurance. That number swings dramatically based on where you go to school and how you live. This guide breaks every expense category down so you know exactly what to expect and where the biggest savings opportunities are.
Before diving into the numbers, here's a visual breakdown of how the average college student's monthly budget is allocated:
| Expense Category | Budget (Low COL) | Average | High COL State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (shared) | $350–$500 | $550–$750 | $850–$1,200 |
| Groceries & Meal Plan | $200–$280 | $280–$380 | $380–$500 |
| Dining Out | $50–$100 | $80–$150 | $100–$200 |
| Transportation | $40–$80 | $80–$160 | $100–$250 |
| Phone Plan | $30–$50 | $40–$65 | $50–$80 |
| Personal Care | $40–$70 | $60–$100 | $80–$130 |
| Clothing | $20–$50 | $30–$70 | $50–$100 |
| Entertainment | $40–$80 | $60–$120 | $80–$150 |
| Subscriptions | $15–$30 | $20–$40 | $25–$50 |
| Miscellaneous | $30–$60 | $50–$90 | $60–$120 |
| TOTAL | $815–$1,300 | $1,220–$1,925 | $1,775–$2,780 |
Housing is the largest and most variable expense, typically consuming 40–50% of a student's monthly budget. The difference between a student living in Ohio and one living in California can easily be $500–$800/month on housing alone.
Food is the second-largest expense and also the most controllable. Students who cook consistently spend $220–$320/month on food. Students who rely heavily on dining out or delivery spend $450–$700/month on the same category.
The gap between cooking at home and eating out regularly is roughly $270–$470/month — more than $3,000/year. That alone is often enough to cover a semester's worth of textbooks and supplies.
Transportation costs vary enormously based on whether you have a car. Students with a car on campus spend an average of $280–$480/month when factoring in gas, insurance, parking permits, and maintenance. Students without a car who use public transit or bike spend $40–$100/month.
Entertainment is an easy category to overspend without noticing. Streaming subscriptions, gaming, concerts, and bars add up fast. Students who share subscriptions with roommates, use campus entertainment events (many are free), and take advantage of student discounts can keep this under $80/month. Students who don't pay attention to this category often spend $200+/month.
Student discounts worth using every month: Spotify ($5.99 vs. $11.99), Apple Music, Amazon Prime ($7.49/month for students vs. $14.99), and most streaming platforms offer 40–50% off with a .edu email.
These are national averages. Use the calculator to get numbers specific to your state and living situation.
Get My State Estimate →The goal of this breakdown isn't to make you feel bad about what you spend — it's to give you a realistic baseline. If your current spending is close to the average, you're doing fine. If you're significantly above the average for your state, focus on the highest-percentage categories first: housing and food together typically represent 65–70% of total spending, so even modest changes there have an outsized impact.
Use our savings guide for specific, actionable strategies in each category. Or check your state's budget guide for location-specific data.