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Cost of living in Canada makes up a large portion of the expenses for international students when studying abroad. Finding out how much it will cost to move to Canada and the cost involved in living in Canada can help the students plan better. The monthly cost of living in Canada for an international student ranges around 2,500 CAD (~1.5 lakhs). The article exhibits a detailed explanation of the living expenses across some of the best student cities in Canada.
The total cost of living in Canada is made up of different aspects of expenses. These include accommodation, meals, transportation costs and health insurance. The accommodation costs generally range between 1,120 CAD to 3,000 CAD (0.67-1.79 lakhs) depending on location. The average cost of meals is 300 CAD (0.17 lakhs) and this depends on the choice of lifestyle of a student. The article further discusses the cost of living in Canada, section by section.
Cost of Accommodation in Canada
Cost of living in Canada is a bit expensive for Indians as the rent is 514% higher than that of India. The cost of housing changes by its location and distance from City Center. Students planning to study in Canada can choose on-campus as well as off-campus housing for their stay. On-campus accommodations are generally cheaper than off-campus housing. Most of the students opt for on-campus housing to cut down the cost of living in Canada. They also can choose between shared apartments and single apartments. Shared accommodations always cost less than single accommodations.
The below sections contain an average estimate of house rents in Canada and costs for international students living in Canada.
| Types of Accommodation | Average Costs in CAD | Average Costs in INR |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus accommodation | CAD 6,970 | 4.25 lakhs per year |
| Off-campus shared accommodation | CAD 590 | 36 thousand per month |
Also Read: On-campus Student Accommodation in Canada
Cost of On-Campus Rent in Canada
| University | Fees Range (CAD/Year) | Fees Range (INR/Year) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | CAD 15,612- CAD 17,430 | 9.52 lakhs - 10.63 lakhs |
| McGill University | CAD 9,020- CAD 18,690 | 5.5 lakhs - 11.40 lakhs |
| University of British Columbia | CAD 8,100- CAD 10,495 | 4.94 lakhs - 6.40 lakhs |
| University of Montreal | CAD 6,231- CAD 10,100 | 3.08 lakhs - 6.16 lakhs |
| University of Alberta | CAD 3,869- CAD 9,660 | 2.36 lakhs - 5.89 lakhs |
| McMaster University | CAD 7,575- CAD 12,135 | 4.62 lakhs - 7.40 lakhs |
| University of Waterloo | CAD 2,525- CAD 7,000 | 1.54 lakhs – 4 lakhs |
| Western University | CAD 5,740- CAD 10,660 | 3.5 lakhs - 6.5 lakhs |
| Queen’s University | CAD 15,170- CAD 17,185 | 9.25 lakhs - 10.48 lakhs |
| University of Calgary | CAD 7,070- CAD 12135 | 4.31 lakhs - 7.40 lakhs |
Cost of House Rent in Canada
House rent in the City Centre is significantly higher than outside of City Center. The rents also vary by city.
| Room Type | Rent in INR/Month | Rent in CAD/Month |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 97 thousand | CAD 1,599 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 82 thousand | CAD 1,350 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 1.59 lakhs | CAD 2,611 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 1.37 lakhs | CAD2,261 |
Cost of Meals in Canada
Meals are a significant part of the cost of living in Canada for international students. They have to make a budget of a monthly expense of around 200 CAD to 300 CAD just for meals and food supplies. A meal in a Candian restaurant can cost up to 75 CAD. A list of food items and costs is given below.
| Food Items | Cost in CAD | Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 liter Milk | CAD 2.42 | INR 147 |
| 1 kg Rice | CAD 3.67 | INR 224 |
| 1.5 liter | CAD 1.81 | INR 110 |
| 1 kg Apple | CAD 4.16 | INR 253 |
| 12 Eggs | CAD 3.57 | INR 217 |
| 1 kg Cheese | CAD 12.76 | INR 778 |
| 1 kg Chicken | CAD 13.20 | INR 804 |
| Vegetables | CAD 5.5 | INR 335 |
| Bread | CAD 3.5 | INR 240 |
Cost of Other Utilities in Canada
Other utilities like transports, health insurances and phone bills hold a part of cost of living in Canada. Transport costs vary depending upon the medium of transport, subway being the most economical one. Students have to get a health insurance plan for medical expenses. They can choose from a variety of options depending on how much they are willing to spend. There will be personal expenses as well including clothes, entertainment and internet connections.
Cost of Transport in Canada
| Medium of Transport | Cost per Month in CAD (Average) | Cost per Month in INR (Average) |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | CAD 125 | 7,486 |
| Subway | CAD 80 | 4,911 |
| Taxi for 1 km ride | CAD 45 | 2,695 |
Cost of Health Insurance in Canada
| Health Insurance Plans | Costs in CAD | Costs in INR |
|---|---|---|
| iMED (3-month plan) | CAD 220 | 13,476 |
| BC MSP Program (1-month plan) | CAD 72 | 4,432 |
| AMS or GSS Health & Dental Plan (8-month plan) | CAD 175 | 10,670 |
Personal Expenses in Canada
| Type of Expenses | Costs in CAD | Costs in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | CAD 45- 128 | 2,695 - 7,805 |
| Internet (60 Mbps speed) | CAD 78 | 4,790 per month |
| Entertainment | CAD 148 | 8,985 per month |
Tips for Saving Money in Canada
Canada can be an expensive place to live in. International students have to make a budget for the cost of living in Canada. It is not possible to cut costs on essential things. Students have to learn to prioritize expenses and handle their finances well. Some of the ways to take the cost of living in Canada a bit down are as follows.
- Student Cards: The country has the facility to offer special discounts for students to cut down some of their cost of living in Canada. To avail of this facility, students have to show their student card while purchasing something. These special discounts are offered in bookstores, departmental stores, public transportation and some restaurants.
- Part-time Jobs: Part-time jobs are one of the best ways to meet the finances and cost of living in Canada for an international student. They can opt for on-campus jobs and even work study in Canada to help them meet their daily expenses. The student visa allows a maximum of 20 hours per week for part-time jobs. Explore: Part-time Jobs in Canada for International Students
- Scholarships in Canada for International Students: Canada offers around 800 scholarships for international students to help them with their finances. Students are advised to research the scholarships thoroughly and apply for them within the deadlines. These scholarships in Canada for international students grant not only tuition fees but also travel costs, insurance costs and cost of living in Canada.
Worried after seeing the cost of living in Canada? Don’t let the high cost bother you, watch the short video and get to know about top scholarships in Canada for Indian students
Cost of Living in Canada: Top Cities
The cost of living in Canada for an international student will not solely depend on the university they choose to study with. Though tuition fees can vary drastically across universities and colleges in Canada, their location within the nation will also affect the living expenses in Canada. Given below is a table describing the overall cost involved when living in different Canadian provinces. Also Read: Best Cities for International Students in Canada
| Province | Accommodation (INR/month) | Food (INR/month) | Transportation (INR/month) | Miscellaneous (INR/month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 28,800 | 16,900 | 4,300 | 20,260 |
| Ontario | 35,900 | 16,190 | 5,150 | 17,390 |
| Quebec | 25,300 | 16,600 | 2,500 | 19,000 |
| British Columbia | 52,200 | 16,730 | 6,470 | 20,500 |
| Newfoundland | 29,600 | 16,130 | 4,135 | 14,030 |
| New Brunswick | 27,400 | 14,690 | 4,257 | 14,207 |
| Nova Scotia | 29,900 | 14,690 | 4,077 | 14,800 |
| Manitoba | 29,670 | 15,170 | 6,000 | 18,400 |
| Saskatchewan | 33,570 | 15,530 | 4,980 | 18,650 |
Also Check: Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students
The cost may vary depending upon the choice of accommodation and lifestyle. An additional 10,000 CAD (annually) must be available to an international student living outside the province of Quebec. Toronto, even though it is amongst the most expensive cities in Canada, it still has a high concentration of international students. Most of the famous universities of Canada are present in Toronto, therefore, Toronto is one of the best cities to study in Canada.
Ontario is the most expensive province in Canada while the cost of living is affordable in Quebec. From tuition fees to the 5 factors for judging the cost of living, Quebec is well affordable. The French-dominated province is home to some well-known universities such as McGill University, the University of Montreal, and the University of Quebec. According to a survey, Ottawa and St. Albert are considered to be ideal for accommodation. Cities like Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Regina, and Calgary are not far behind Toronto in education.
To help in funding the cost of living in Canada, have a look at the top Scholarships!
FAQs
Ques. Is living in Canada expensive?
Ans. Yes. Canada is a bit expensive to live in. However, it is still manageable if the students plan their finances wisely.
Ques. What is the average living cost in Canada?
Ans. The average living cost for a single person in Canada is around 1,250 CAD (0.75 lakhs INR) per month without rent. For a family of two, the cost of living in Canada can be around 2,500 CAD (1.5 lakhs INR).
Ques. How much does rent cost in Canada?
Ans. The monthly housing rent in Canada cost around 55,000 INR for single-room apartments, around 80,000 INR for double-room apartments and 85,000 INR for triple-room apartments. The rents can vary by location.
Ques. Where is it cheapest to live in Canada?
Ans. The most affordable cities to live in Canada include - St. Catharines, Abbotsford of British Columbia, Moncton. Laval, Sherbrooke etc. The living costs of these cities are between 51,000 to 62,000 INR per month.
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