Monthly Cost Overview (for reference only)
- School fees: Public-sector schools are free, but non-local students usually attend private, international or DSS schools, with annual fees ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of HKD.
- Rent: Depends on area and size. A two-bedroom flat in urban areas costs roughly HKD 20,000 per month or more; the New Territories is cheaper, and sharing with relatives or friends is an option.
- Transport: Generally several hundred to about HKD 1,000 per month; the Student Octopus offers half fares on designated routes.
- Food: Around HKD 3,000–5,000 per month; cooking at home saves more.
- Others: Medical insurance, books and sundries, extracurricular activities, monthly phone plans, etc.
Money-Saving Tips
- Choose accommodation near school to save both time and transport costs.
- Use supermarket promotions and wet-market closing-time discounts.
- Your student card brings discounts at museums, cinemas and some attractions.
- Compare different schools' fee structures and one-off costs (application fees, uniforms).
- Keep a reserve fund for unexpected expenses such as medical bills or travel-document renewals.
Keep Your Receipts
Keep receipts for tuition, education-related loans or insurance payments — you may need them for tax or insurance claims later.