Further information
Tartu Welcome Centre
Ülikooli 17, 51005, Tartu, Estonia
Find practical information to help you organise everyday life in Tartu and Estonia.

Cost of living in Tartu

Living in Tartu is relatively affordable compared to many other university cities in Northern Europe. Your monthly expenses will depend mainly on your accommodation and lifestyle, but students should generally budget around €600 to €800 per month.

Your personal budget may be higher, particularly if you rent a private apartment or travel frequently.

Your monthly student budget

Here is an approximate guide to some of the main expenses you should consider when planning your budget.

ExpenseApproximate cost
Student residencefrom around €175/month
Apartmentfrom around €200+/month (depens on the deal)
Food€250 to €400/month
Lunch€6 to €12
Public transportfrom €14.90/month
Mobile phonefrom €5/month
Sport€25 to €80/month
Leisure and entertainmentfrom €50/month

There is no one-size-fits-all student budget. The examples below show how different choices around accommodation, food and free time can affect monthly living costs in Tartu.

Student 1 (20, female, bachelor's student, from Ukraine):

“I usually spend around €360–400 a month. I live in a university dormitory, which keeps my accommodation costs relatively low, and I mostly cook at home. I occasionally buy coffee at university, but otherwise try to keep food expenses down. Tartu is compact, so I walk almost everywhere and usually do not spend anything on transport. My monthly budget is quite tight, so I keep leisure, travel and other extra expenses to a minimum.”

Student 2 (18, male, bachelor's student, from Azerbaijan):

“I usually spend around €450–550 a month. My biggest expenses are accommodation and groceries: I pay €175.50 for a place in a shared twin room and around €200–250 for food. I mostly cook at home and only eat out occasionally. I also use the bus regularly to get to my campus in Maarjavälja. Since I am not working alongside my studies, I try to keep an eye on my spending.”

Student 3 (20, female, bachelor's student, from Egypt):

“I usually spend around €830 a month. I rent a private apartment, which costs about €400–450 including utilities, depending on the season. I mostly cook at home and spend around €140 on groceries, with some extra for campus snacks or eating out. I usually walk around Tartu when the weather allows and take the bus in winter. I try to be budget-conscious, although in months when I spend a bit more freely, my total expenses can reach around €1,000.”

Accommodation

Nooruse 7 üliõpilaselamu
The Nooruse 7 student dormitory . Author: Andero Kalju

Accommodation will usually make the biggest difference to your monthly budget.

Student residences are generally the most affordable option. A place in a shared twin room in several University of Tartu student residences costs around €175 to €182 per month. More private room types are available at higher prices, although availability may be limited. Utilities, internet and laundry are generally included in the rent.

Private accommodation offers more choice and privacy but is usually more expensive. Depending on the size, location and condition of the apartment, private accommodation may cost around €300 to €700 or more per month, including utilities.

Explore accommodation in Tartu

What does everyday life cost?

Prices depend on where you shop and what you choose, but these examples give a useful picture of everyday costs in Tartu.

A university cafeteria lunch typically starts from around €6, while lunch offers in restaurants can cost around €10 to €12.

Tartu is a compact city, so walking and cycling are realistic options for many everyday journeys. If you regularly use public transport, period tickets are available. A 30-day bus ticket costs €14.90 for young people registered as Tartu residents. Other ticket categories and prices are also available.

Tartu also has a public bike-sharing system, with a 30-day pass costing €14.

Students may want to budget around €25 to €80 per month for sport and fitness and at least €50 per month for leisure and entertainment, depending on their lifestyle. UniTartu also has its own sports centre with special discounts for students.

If you prefer shopping for fresh and local food, head to Tartu Market. You will find a wide range of traders selling locally grown and produced goods and meat, making it a good alternative to supermarkets.

Curious about grocery prices in Estonia? Browse the online shops and current offers of some of the main supermarket chains to see what your weekly shop might cost. Vegetarian and vegan options are widely available in Estonia, both in supermarkets and restaurants. For speciality ingredients, including a wide range of Asian foods, take a look at the Umami online shop.

Rimi Selver Selver Lidl Barbora (Maxima) Coop

Prices and product availability may vary between shops and locations.

Woman sitting on a pier
Budget a little extra for your first month
Your first month in Tartu is likely to cost more than a typical month. In addition to your regular living expenses, you may need to pay for:

travel to Tartu;
a housing deposit;
bedding and household essentials;
seasonal clothing;
a SIM card and other initial services;
your first groceries.

Keeping some extra money available for these initial expenses can make your arrival much easier.

Student discounts

Being a student can also help make life more affordable.

Students can benefit from discounts on a range of services, activities and cultural events. Student-priced meals, transport options, sport and cultural discounts can all help reduce your everyday expenses.

Remember to check what discounts are available with your ISIC card (International Student Identity Card). If you join the Erasmus Student Network, an ESNcard can also give you access to discounts on travel, accommodation, activities and other services across Europe.

Budgeting hacks every student should know

Working while studying

students talking and standing in Delta building
Author: Undercliff Creative

Some international students work alongside their studies. However, we recommend planning your finances so that you can cover your living expenses without relying on finding a job after you arrive in Estonia.

If you plan to work during your studies, make sure you are familiar with the rules that apply to international students and consider how working alongside your studies may affect your study load.

Learn more about working in Estonia while studying

Practical info for new students

Living in Estonia

Tuition fee and scholarships

Read more

FAQ

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