Student Guide: Living in Hefei
Hefei is a rising tech hub and home to USTC, China's top science university. Ideal for STEM students, it offers excellent research opportunities, very low cost of living, and is a fast-growing innovation center with strong AI and quantum computing sectors.
Key Highlights
- Home to USTC — China's premier science university
- Rapidly growing tech hub (quantum computing, AI)
- Very affordable living costs
- 2 hours from Shanghai by high-speed rail
Cost of Living
| Monthly Expense | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $120 | $220 | $400 |
| Food | $90 | $130 | $200 |
| Transport | $8 | $15 | $25 |
| Total Monthly | $280 | $400 | $700 |
* Last verified: 2026-03-06
Climate
Subtropical monsoon: cool winters (0-5°C), hot humid summers (28-35°C). Four seasons with moderate rainfall.
Halal Food
Moderate
Moroccan Community
Small
Airport
HFE (Xinqiao)
Top Universities in Hefei
What it costs and where you would study
A student month in Hefei runs $280 to $700, averaging $400 — the cheapest of the 10 Chinese cities Foorsa places students in.
Rent accounts for most of it at $220 a month on average ($120-$400), with food around $130 and transport about $15.
Hefei has roughly 54 universities in total. 3 of them are in the Foorsa catalogue, 1 of those ranked in the QS world list, with tuition from $2,000 to $5,600 a year.
Halal food availability is moderate, the Muslim community is small and the Moroccan student community is small. You would fly into HFE (Xinqiao).
Subtropical monsoon: cool winters (0-5°C), hot humid summers (28-35°C). Four seasons with moderate rainfall.
Universities we place students in here
- University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) — QS 93 · $2,000-$5,500/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Hefei as a student?
Between $280 and $700 a month, $400 on average: about $220 for rent, $130 for food and $15 for transport. That is the 1st cheapest of the 10 Chinese cities Foorsa works in.
Which universities can I apply to in Hefei?
3 of the 149 universities in the Foorsa catalogue are in Hefei, 1 of them QS-ranked. They include University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).
Is it easy to find halal food in Hefei?
Halal food availability in Hefei is moderate, and the city has a small Muslim community.
What is the weather like in Hefei?
Subtropical monsoon: cool winters (0-5°C), hot humid summers (28-35°C). Four seasons with moderate rainfall.
Are there other Moroccan students in Hefei?
The Moroccan student community in Hefei 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