Student Guide: Living in Changsha
Changsha is an excellent choice for medical students, home to the prestigious Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University. It offers some of China's lowest costs of living while providing quality education and a vibrant youth culture.
Key Highlights
- Home to Xiangya Medical School — one of China's best
- Very affordable cost of living
- Famous food culture (Hunan spicy cuisine)
- Fast-growing tech and entertainment hub
Cost of Living
| Monthly Expense | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $120 | $230 | $400 |
| Food | $90 | $130 | $200 |
| Transport | $8 | $15 | $25 |
| Total Monthly | $280 | $420 | $700 |
* Last verified: 2026-03-06
Climate
Subtropical: cool winters (2-7°C), hot humid summers (30-38°C). Rainy spring, beautiful autumn.
Halal Food
Moderate
Moroccan Community
Small
Airport
CSX (Huanghua)
Top Universities in Changsha
What it costs and where you would study
A student month in Changsha runs $280 to $700, averaging $420, which makes it the 2nd cheapest of the 10 Chinese cities Foorsa places students in, against a $600 median.
Rent accounts for most of it at $230 a month on average ($120-$400), with food around $130 and transport about $15.
Changsha has roughly 57 universities in total. 3 of them are in the Foorsa catalogue, 2 of those ranked in the QS world list, with tuition from $1,500 to $5,000 a year.
Halal food availability is moderate, the Muslim community is small and the Moroccan student community is small. You would fly into CSX (Huanghua).
Subtropical: cool winters (2-7°C), hot humid summers (30-38°C). Rainy spring, beautiful autumn.
Universities we place students in here
- Central South University — QS 452 · $1,500-$4,000/yr
- Hunan University — QS 571 · $1,800-$4,500/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Changsha as a student?
Between $280 and $700 a month, $420 on average: about $230 for rent, $130 for food and $15 for transport. That is the 2nd cheapest of the 10 Chinese cities Foorsa works in.
Which universities can I apply to in Changsha?
3 of the 149 universities in the Foorsa catalogue are in Changsha, 2 of them QS-ranked. They include Central South University and Hunan University.
Is it easy to find halal food in Changsha?
Halal food availability in Changsha is moderate, and the city has a small Muslim community.
What is the weather like in Changsha?
Subtropical: cool winters (2-7°C), hot humid summers (30-38°C). Rainy spring, beautiful autumn.
Are there other Moroccan students in Changsha?
The Moroccan student community in Changsha is small. Foorsa introduces you to students already there before you travel.
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Start Your Application Get Free ConsultationLast verified: 2026-03-06