In a bustling metropolis such as Hong Kong, life doesn't come cheap. Rent, food, clothing, and other necessities are on par with the likes of New York or London. However, those of modest means needn't fret; transportation, telecommunications, and public healthcare cost significantly less than in Europe or North America. Furthermore, student discounts are available for essentials, such as Octopus cards (see Transportation). With careful planning, you can make the most of your Hong Kong experience and still have a few dollars left for extras like travel and fancy dinners out. How much should you plan to live on? Well, the tuition fees vary from one university to the next, but are usually between $70,000 and $80,000 Hong Kong Dollars per year. (That's around $9,000 to $10,300 U.S. Dollars)

If you live in University-provided residence halls or hostels, you'll pay a modest $5,000 (about $650 U.S.) to $14,000 (around $1,800 U.S.) per semester; off-campus, expect to pay that much per month. You should estimate $30,000 - 60,000 ($3,850 - 7,700 U.S.) per year for additional costs, including food, leisure, transportation, and personal items, depending on how extravagantly you plan to live.

How much do things cost in Hong Kong? Check out these prices, for your reference.

items	HK dollars	US dollars
A McDonald's Value Meal:	$22.80	$2.92
A Snickers Bar, from 7-11:	$6.00	$0.76
A set meal (main dish, rice, and drink) at an average local café:	$50	$6.40
Beer at a local pub, whatever's on tap:	$20	$2.56
Beer at a swanky club:	the sky's the limit
An MTR trip from Central to Causeway Bay, with Octopus card:	$4.40	$0.56
Crossing the harbor from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui on Star Ferry:	$1.70	$0.21

Don't break open that piggy bank just yet! Here are some tips for pinching pennies:

	Live in university accommodation. It costs less than an off-campus apartment, as well as being cleaner, more modern, and infinitely more convenient.
	Take public transportation. Our system is the envy of cities everywhere, and a good number of them have copied it. You can travel the SAR from end to end for less than you'd pay for a cup of coffee. It's spotless and safe - do like the savvy locals, and use it!
	Save money and dive into local culture - eat in a Cha Chaan Teng, the Chinese answer to a café. Service is basic, but the food's delicious, and you can't beat the prices.
	Take advantage of the student discounts offered by museums, transport companies, restaurants, and even some retail outlets. Just show your student ID.