Taiwan is one of the most popular study abroad destinations in Asia because it offers a good balance between quality of life, safety, convenience, and affordability. Compared with cities like Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, or New York, the cost of living in Taiwan is usually much easier for international students to manage. But that does not mean every student will spend the same amount.
Your monthly budget in Taiwan depends mainly on four things: where you live, what type of housing you choose, how often you eat out, and how much you travel or go out. A student living in a shared apartment in New Taipei City will spend much less than someone renting a private studio in central Taipei. A student who eats local food and uses the MRT every day can live quite comfortably, while someone who prefers Western restaurants, taxis, coffee shops, and imported groceries will need a larger budget.
As a general guide, international students in Taipei should expect to spend around NT$28,000 to NT$35,000 per month for a realistic student lifestyle, including rent, food, transport, utilities, and basic daily expenses. Students in New Taipei City, Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung can often live on less. Study in Taiwan, a Ministry of Education-related resource, estimates average monthly student living expenses at about NT$28,000–30,000 in Taipei, NT$22,000–24,000 in New Taipei City, NT$23,000–25,000 in Taichung, NT$21,000–23,000 in Kaohsiung, and NT$19,000–21,000 in Tainan.
If you are preparing to move, you may also want to read our guide on preparing to study abroad in Taiwan and our article on how to save money in Taiwan.
Is Taiwan Expensive for Students?
Taiwan is not the cheapest country in Asia, but it is very student-friendly. The biggest advantage is that basic daily life is affordable. Public transportation is reliable and cheap, convenience stores are everywhere, local meals are easy to find, and healthcare costs are much lower than in many Western countries.
The biggest cost difference comes from housing. Taipei is the most expensive city in Taiwan, especially in central districts near universities, MRT stations, and popular neighborhoods. If you study at NTU, NTNU, NTUST, Taipei Tech, NCCU, or a Mandarin language center in Taipei, your rent will likely be your largest monthly expense.
Outside Taipei, the cost of living drops noticeably. Cities like Tainan and Kaohsiung are cheaper for rent and food, while Taichung sits somewhere in the middle. New Taipei City can be a good compromise for students who want access to Taipei but prefer lower rent.
According to Numbeo’s April 2026 Taiwan data, Taipei has the highest cost-of-living index among Taiwan’s major cities, followed closely by New Taipei City, while Taichung and Kaohsiung are lower.
Monthly Student Budget in Taiwan
For most international students, a realistic monthly budget looks like this:
Budget student lifestyle: NT$20,000–25,000 per month
This usually means living in a dormitory or shared room, eating mostly local food, avoiding expensive nightlife, and being careful with shopping and travel.
Comfortable student lifestyle in Taipei: NT$28,000–35,000 per month
This is more realistic for students renting a private room in a shared apartment, eating out regularly, using public transportation, paying utilities, and occasionally going out with friends.
More independent lifestyle: NT$40,000+ per month
This may apply if you rent a private studio, live in a central area, eat Western food often, use taxis, travel around Taiwan, or prefer more privacy and comfort.
For students moving to Taipei for the first time, it is smart to prepare extra money for the first month. Your first month may include rent, deposit, bedding, SIM card, EasyCard, household items, school fees, visa-related costs, and daily expenses before you understand local prices.
Rent and Housing Costs in Taiwan
Housing is usually the biggest part of your cost of living in Taiwan. If you are studying in Taipei, expect rent to take a large share of your monthly budget.
A dormitory is often the cheapest option, but spaces can be limited and not always guaranteed. Some university dorms also have strict rules, shared rooms, or fixed contract dates that may not match your arrival and departure schedule. NTU’s international student cost guide lists off-campus housing in Taipei at around NT$35,000–50,000 per semester, depending on the arrangement, while on-campus options are generally cheaper but limited.
For off-campus housing, common options include:
Shared apartment room: Usually the most practical choice for exchange students. You have your own bedroom but share the kitchen, bathroom, and living space. This is popular because it gives you more independence than a dormitory while keeping costs manageable.
Private studio: More privacy, but also more expensive. Studios in Taipei are usually suitable for students with a higher budget or people staying longer term.
Co-living or student housing: These are often furnished and easier for foreigners because contracts, utilities, and communication may be more straightforward.
Whole apartment rental: Better for groups of friends, interns, or exchange students coming together. Renting a full apartment can reduce the price per person if you split the cost.
In Taipei, location matters a lot. Rooms near NTU, NTNU, Guting, Gongguan, Da’an, Zhongshan, or Xinyi are usually more expensive because they are close to schools, MRT lines, cafés, restaurants, and student life. If your budget is tighter, consider areas in New Taipei City such as Xindian, Yonghe, Banqiao, or Zhonghe, depending on your university commute.
For a more detailed housing comparison, read our guide to the best areas to live in Taipei for exchange students. You can also browse student-friendly rooms and apartments on My Room Abroad.
Food Costs in Taiwan
Food in Taiwan can be very affordable if you eat local. This is one of the main reasons students can live comfortably without spending too much. A simple local meal, lunch box, noodle soup, dumplings, fried rice, or rice bowl is usually much cheaper than Western food. Night markets, small family restaurants, breakfast shops, school cafeterias, and bento shops are your best friends if you want to save money.
A student who eats mostly local food can often spend around NT$8,000–12,000 per month on food. If you cook sometimes and eat at school cafeterias, you may spend less. If you eat Western food, brunch, delivery, imported groceries, or café meals often, your food budget can easily go higher.
Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart are everywhere in Taiwan. They are useful when you first arrive because you can buy meals, drinks, coffee, toiletries, and even pay bills. However, eating convenience store meals every day is not always the cheapest option. Local restaurants and school cafeterias are usually better value.
If you cook at home, local markets are often cheaper than supermarkets. Supermarkets such as PX Mart, Carrefour, and Wellcome/Mia C’bon are convenient, but imported items like cheese, cereal, wine, foreign snacks, and certain sauces can be expensive.
For more practical food advice, read our guide to food in Taiwan.
Transportation Costs in Taiwan
Transportation is one of the best parts of living in Taiwan. In Taipei and New Taipei City, the MRT and bus system is clean, safe, and easy to use. Most students use an EasyCard for the MRT, buses, YouBike, convenience store purchases, and some shops.
If you live near your university or on a convenient MRT line, your monthly transportation cost may be around NT$1,000–2,000. Students who commute farther may spend more, but public transportation is still much cheaper than owning a car.
YouBike is also popular for short trips, especially around university areas like Gongguan, Da’an, Shida, Taipei Main Station, and Zhongshan. It is convenient for students who do not want to buy a scooter.
Scooters are common in Taiwan, especially outside Taipei, but they are not necessary for most students in Taipei. Before buying or renting a scooter, consider license rules, insurance, parking, safety, and whether you are comfortable driving in Taiwan traffic.
Utilities and Internet
Utilities depend on your housing arrangement. In some student apartments, utilities are included in the rent. In other cases, you pay electricity, water, gas, internet, and building management fees separately.
Electricity can become expensive in summer if you use air conditioning every night. Taiwan’s summer is hot and humid, so students should budget more for electricity from June to September. A shared apartment helps reduce some costs, but air conditioning is usually charged based on usage or split among tenants.
A reasonable monthly estimate for utilities is around NT$1,000–3,000, depending on the apartment, season, and whether internet is included. If you live alone in a studio and use air conditioning heavily, expect to pay more.
Most rental apartments in Taiwan already have Wi-Fi, but always check before signing. If internet is not included, setting it up may require a local ID, ARC, contract, or help from the landlord.
Mobile Phone and SIM Card Costs
Mobile data in Taiwan is usually affordable and reliable. Many students start with a prepaid SIM card when they arrive at Taoyuan Airport, then switch to a monthly plan later if they stay longer.
A basic student phone budget is usually around NT$500–1,000 per month, depending on data usage and contract type. If you use a lot of mobile data, watch videos outside, or hotspot your laptop, choose a plan with enough data.
For short-term exchange students, prepaid cards are often easier. For degree students or long-term residents, a monthly plan may be more convenient once you have your ARC.
Health Insurance and Medical Costs
Taiwan has a high-quality healthcare system, and medical care is generally affordable compared with many Western countries. However, international students should understand what insurance applies to them.
Degree students who stay long enough may become eligible for Taiwan’s National Health Insurance. NTU’s cost guide lists National Health Insurance at NT$4,956 per semester for degree students. Short-term exchange students, Mandarin students, or visitors may need private health insurance or travel insurance before becoming eligible for local coverage.
Before arriving, check your university’s international student office for exact insurance requirements. Do not assume your home country insurance will cover everything in Taiwan.
Tuition and School-Related Costs
Tuition is separate from your daily cost of living. Public universities in Taiwan are usually more affordable than universities in the United States, Canada, the UK, or Australia, but tuition still depends on the school, degree level, and program.
You should also budget for books, printing, language class materials, club fees, school trips, and occasional administrative fees. NTU estimates books at around NT$5,000–8,000 per semester in its student cost guide.
If you are still deciding whether you need a visa, read our Taiwan student visa guide before booking your flight.
Entertainment, Travel, and Daily Life
Taiwan can be very affordable if you enjoy local activities. Hiking, night markets, riverside biking, temples, beaches, public parks, and many cultural events are low-cost or free. Students can enjoy a good social life without spending a lot.
However, costs increase if you go out often. Bars, clubs, Western restaurants, dating apps meetups, weekend trips, boutique gyms, and frequent café visits can add up quickly. A bubble tea here and a late-night taxi there may not seem like much, but small daily expenses are what usually surprise students.
A realistic entertainment budget is around NT$3,000–8,000 per month, depending on your lifestyle. If you plan to travel around Taiwan often, add more. Train tickets, hostels, scooter rentals, surf trips, island trips, and national park visits are worth it, but they should be part of your monthly plan.
How Much Money Should You Bring for the First Month?
Your first month in Taiwan will probably be your most expensive month. Even if your normal monthly budget is NT$30,000, you may need much more when you first arrive.
Prepare money for:
Rent
Security deposit
Bedding and towels
SIM card
EasyCard
Food and groceries
Airport transportation
School registration costs
Visa or ARC-related fees
Household items
Emergency spending
Many landlords in Taiwan require a deposit, often one or two months of rent, depending on the rental agreement. If you book housing before arrival, make sure you understand what is included, what is refundable, and when rent is due.
If you need a local account after arriving, read our guide to opening a bank account in Taiwan.
Tips to Lower Your Cost of Living in Taiwan
The easiest way to save money is to choose housing carefully. Living one or two MRT stops farther from your university can sometimes save a lot each month. Shared apartments are usually better value than private studios, especially for exchange students.
Eat local food most of the time. Taiwan has excellent affordable food, so there is no need to rely on expensive restaurants. School cafeterias, bento shops, breakfast stores, dumpling shops, and local markets are the best places to keep food costs low.
Use public transportation instead of taxis. Taipei’s MRT and bus system is good enough for most students. YouBike is useful for short distances and helps you avoid unnecessary transport costs.
Avoid buying too many things when you first arrive. Many students buy items they later realize they do not need. Start with basics, then add things slowly after you understand your apartment and daily routine.
Finally, track your spending for the first month. Taiwan feels affordable, but small purchases are easy to overlook. Coffee, delivery, convenience store snacks, shopping, and weekend trips can quietly increase your budget.
Final Thoughts: Is Taiwan Affordable for International Students?
Taiwan is a great place for international students because daily life can be comfortable without being extremely expensive. You can eat well, move around easily, enjoy a safe city, and experience a rich student life without needing the budget of a major Western city.
For students in Taipei, a realistic monthly budget is usually around NT$28,000–35,000, depending mostly on rent. Students outside Taipei may spend less, especially in Tainan, Kaohsiung, or parts of New Taipei City. If you want more privacy, live in central Taipei, travel often, or eat Western food regularly, you should prepare a higher budget.
The best strategy is simple: choose housing based on your university commute, live near public transportation, eat local food, and avoid unnecessary first-month purchases. With the right planning, Taiwan can be one of the best-value study abroad destinations in Asia.
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