What a student month really costs in three cities

Rent is the biggest line in every student budget; food comes second (example prices, sample figures).

In Manchester a room in a shared flat costs about $850 a month, food about $300 and a bus pass $60. In Montreal the room is closer to $800 with cheaper transport. In Brisbane rents run about $1,000.

Cooking with flatmates is the easiest saving: students who share four dinners a week spend about a third less on food.