Most Affordable Cities for Studying Abroad: 2025 Ranking

Studying abroad is no longer just for the wealthy. A ranking published by Remitly shows that students can obtain quality education without a huge budget—if they choose the right city. The study analyzed rent, cost of living, visa fees, and average tuition. A final index score was calculated based on all these factors.

European Leaders

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, topped the list as the most affordable destination in Europe. With low rent ($533/month), a cheap visa ($25), and modest living costs, Baku scored 16.47 out of 100.

Next comes Halle an der Saale in Germany, where public universities often have zero tuition fees. Combined with average rent of $678 and no visa fees for EU students, the city earned a score of 22.24.

Third is Thessaloniki, Greece, home to Aristotle University. Despite visa costs ranging from €90 to €150 for non-EU students, living and tuition costs remain manageable, earning the city a score of 22.61.

Italy stands out with four cities in the top ten—Perugia, Catania, Pisa, and Bari—offering a strong balance between cultural richness and affordability. Tuition averages around $4,500, with a €50 visa fee.

Athens follows, where rent averages $812/month. Despite being pricier than Thessaloniki, it remains competitive due to low tuition ($1,660) and no visa fees for EU nationals.

Granada, Spain also features in the top 10, with modest rent and visa costs ($57). Tuition is higher ($7,200), but the city scored 26.22 due to lower daily expenses.

Pisa ranked eighth with $865/month rent but similar tuition and visa conditions to other Italian cities. Nancy (France) came ninth, offering a cheaper alternative to Paris or Lyon, with tuition at $4,108 and rent at $670.

Bari rounds out the top 10 with a score of 27.03—modest rent, mid-range tuition, and EU-friendly visa policies.

Other Regions

In Africa, Cairo ranks first with a score of 8.03. Rent is just $251/month, and visa fees are often waived. South Africa places four cities on the list: Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.

In Asia, Chinese cities dominate: Zhenjiang ranks first with 14.23, followed by Lanzhou, Chongqing, and Nanchang. Rent is between $239–$365/month, with some of the world’s lowest living costs. India’s Ahmedabad also features, with a strong business education offering and a score of 16.46.

In South America, Buenos Aires leads with a score of 29.75. Tuition at the University of Buenos Aires is about $2,500/year. Other Latin cities include Santiago (Chile) and São Paulo, Campinas, and Porto Alegre (Brazil).

In North America, Winnipeg (Canada) ranks highest at 50.62, followed by Montreal, Kingston, and Edmonton. In the U.S., top cities include Columbia (MO), Lansing (MI), and Lincoln (NE). While tuition averages $30,748/year, rent variations make some cities far more affordable.

Conclusion

Remitly’s ranking emphasizes that city selection is just as critical as country choice. With smart planning, students can cut costs significantly while still receiving a quality education. This is especially important for those who rely on remittances or partial family support.

Conversely, the most expensive cities include New York, San Francisco, Boston, Singapore, and Pasadena—where rent alone exceeds $5,000/month. London and Sydney are the only European and Oceanian cities in the global top 20 for student costs.