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When you have decided to study in a foreign country, it is the adventure of a lifetime. In this article let us learn about the cost of living in Canada—Canada is one of the second largest countries in the world. As a student when you want to go in for your higher education, you need to consider the cost of living in Canada.
Canada is a vast country. There are different provinces and territories within this beautiful country. When discussing the cost of living in this gorgeously beautiful country, the following are the pointers that need to be noted.
The cost of living is the amount you spend to maintain a living style in a particular place. It needs to cover some basic expenses such as housing, food, and healthcare The cost of living in Canada comprises the following list.
Accommodation is the place that you have taken up to live regularly. This depends on the lifestyle and the place you have rounded in for yourself. This cost will always differ when you have decided to live in an on-campus, or off-campus accommodation. The average cost of living in Canada in terms of accommodation expenses in various regions and parts of Canada are as follows:
Accommodation Type |
Average Monthly Cost of Living (in CAD) |
On-Campus |
200 CAD to 600 CAD |
Off-Campus |
400 CAD to 700 CAD |
1- BHK within the city limits |
1500 CAD |
1-BHK outside the city limits |
1200 CAD |
3-BHK within the city limits |
2800 CAD |
3-BHK outside the city limits |
2400 CAD |
The following table lists the city-wise expenditure in terms of the accommodation type you want to take.
Region |
Rent for an Apartment Within the City (in CAD) |
Rent for an Apartment Outside the City (in CAD) |
Rent in a PG Accommodation (in CAD) |
Toronto |
1800-2500 |
1400-2000 CAD |
600-1000 CAD |
Vancouver |
1800-2500 |
1400-2000 CAD |
600-1000 CAD |
Montreal |
1300-1800 |
1000-1400 CAD |
500-800 CAD |
Ottawa |
1200-1800 |
1000-1400 CAD |
500-800 CAD |
Calgary |
1200-1800 |
900-1300 CAD |
500-800 CAD |
Edmonton |
1000-1500 |
800-1200 CAD |
450-750 CAD |
Groceries are the food and edible items you purchase to cook for yourself. The cost of groceries again varies depending on the place you reside, your dietary habits, and the type of food you purchase. The average cost of living in Canada in terms of groceries in Canada is as follows:
Food & Groceries |
Cost |
Milk (1 litre) |
2.98 CAD |
Rice (1 kg) |
5.47 CAD |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (675 grams) |
3 CAD |
Eggs (12) |
3.87 CAD |
Apple |
4.81 CAD |
Cheese |
15.2 CAD |
Whole Fat Milk |
3.06 CAD |
Good Quality Red Table Wine |
18 CAD |
Transportation cost amounts to the expenditure that you incur while travelling from one place to another. The cost of living in terms of transportation expenses is listed below:
Types of Transportation |
Average Monthly Cost |
Subway |
65 CAD to 100 CAD |
Buses |
100 CAD to 150 CAD |
Taxis |
2 CAD |
Taxi (1-Hour Waiting) |
34 CAD |
One-Way Ticket |
3.25 CAD |
Gasoline |
2 CAD |
Personal care is based on individual preferences. This preference means the individual lifestyle, toiletries, grooming expenses, and personal hygiene products. The cost of living concerning personal care products is listed as follows:
Products |
Expenditure (in CAD) |
Lotions |
10 C$ to 20 C$ |
Hair Dyes |
Salon Price 75 C$ to 200 C$ |
Cosmetics |
100 C$ to 200 C$ |
Shampoos |
20 C$ to 30 C$ |
Perfumes |
25 C$ to 75 C$ |
Utilities expenditure consists of power consumption, heating, water consumption, garbage disposal, etc. The average cost of living in Canada concerning utilities expenditure are as follows:
Products |
Expenditure (in CAD) |
Power |
150 C$ to 250 C$ |
Heaters |
100 C$ to 140 C$ |
Water |
50 C$ to 80 C$ |
Mobile Bills |
50 C$ to 70 C$ |
Gas Connection |
50 C$ to 100 C$ |
The expenditure that is listed is for a small-sized apartment that comes with some basic amenities. The cost can again vary when you go to larger apartments. Cost also varies depending on the efficiency of the appliances that are being provided. This expenditure does not constitute internet, cable or telephone services.
The cost of clothing and shoes in Canada varies greatly depending upon the choice of outfits and your lifestyle. The average cost of living in Canada concerning clothing and shoes is listed below:
Types of Clothing |
Expenditure (in CAD) |
Jeans |
80 CAD to 100 CAD |
Summer Dress |
60 CAD to 80 CAD |
Sports Shoes |
120 CAD to 150 CAD |
Men’s Leather Shoes |
150 CAD to 170 CAD |
T-Shirts |
10 CAD to 100 CAD |
Sweaters |
25 CAD to 100 CAD |
Winter Clothing (Coat, Gloves, Hat, Shoes) |
80 CAD to 150 CAD |
These figures have been drawn keeping in mind when you are a person with a moderate lifestyle. It can increase in case if you have the habit of purchasing frequently and going in for bigger brands. Again the amount can vary depending on the winter outfits you go in for like the coats, boots, etc.
Leisure costs include your spending on sports clubs, gym memberships, and other recreational activities. It again depends on the city, type of activities, and your personal preferences.
Products |
Expenditure (in CAD) |
Sports Club |
50 CAD to 100 CAD |
Gym Membership |
20 CAD to 200 CAD |
Recreational Activity |
20 CAD to 50 CAD |
OTT Subscriptions |
60 CAD to 100 CAD |
Healthcare expenditure in Canada varies from one place to another. This is because health care is been taken care of at the provincial level. However, the essential medical services will be the same throughout all the places in Canada. Dental care, medicines based on prescriptions, and private health insurance can change from place to place. The cost of living in Canada based on various healthcare expenses is listed below:
Health Service |
Expenditure (in CAD) |
Over the Counter Medicines |
50 CAD to 100 CAD |
Dentistry |
150 CAD to 300 CAD |
Doctor’s Visit |
Covered under Health Insurance |
Optometry |
80 CAD to 130 CAD |
Health Insurance |
400 CAD to 1500 CAD |
Canada is one of the top destinations for study abroad courses for students. The main reasons include the cultural diversity, warm and welcoming people, and the high quality of life available out there. The average cost of living in Canada matches that of USA. Every province is different and they are ruled by its government and has its taxes. The list of cities to study in Canada along with their rankings based on living expenses are listed below:
Cities in Canada |
Global Ranking |
Regional Ranking |
Toronto |
15 |
1 |
Montreal |
24 |
2 |
Vancouver |
29 |
3 |
Quebec |
84 |
4 |
Hamilton |
109 |
5 |
Ottawa |
122 |
6 |
Calgary |
125 |
7 |
Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of area. There are a total of 10 provincial states in Canada. The cost of living in Canada for international students varies between various cities. The following table lists the cities in Canada along with their average cost of living.
City |
Average Cost of Living (in CAD) |
Toronto |
2600 CAD to 3600 CAD |
Vancouver |
2500 CAD to 3500 CAD |
Montreal |
1900 CAD to 2700 CAD |
Ottawa |
2000 CAD to 2800 CAD |
Calgary |
1800 CAD to 2600 CAD |
Edmonton |
1600 CAD to 2400 CAD |
Quick Read:
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Canada is one of the popular destinations for international education. It has a lot of world-renowned universities and friendly and welcoming people. There are a lot of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees that are available for international students. It has some of the world-renowned universities. Some of the courses offered by these universities are listed below:
University |
Degree |
Expenditure (in CAD) |
University of Toronto |
Bachelor in Business Administration |
C$60,510 |
Masters in Business Administration |
C$67600 |
|
University of British Columbia |
Bachelors of Science (B.S) Computer Science |
C$46,300 |
Masters in Science (M.S) Statistics |
C$9,500 |
|
McGill University |
Bachelors of Engineering (Software Engineering) |
C$59,700 |
Masters of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering) |
C$19,800 |
|
University of Montreal |
Bachelors of Arts (B.A) History |
C$27,200 |
Masters of Science (M.A) Psychology |
C$17,800 |
When a student decides to move into a country like Canada, multiple factors affect the cost of living in Canada. The following are some of the factors that affect the student's cost of living in Canada.
As a student, you should choose wisely between your expenditures. Savings will always help you in terms of financial adversity. The following are some of the tips to save money and maintain the lowest cost of living in Canada.
1. Create a Plan:
You need to keep a financial plan for your expenses at the beginning of every month. Restrict yourself within the stipulated amount. Give priority to savings and keep these savings in a separate bank account. This will be your haven in times of adversity.
2. Make use of Scholarships:
Many universities offer in-house scholarships for many of their students. Availing them will reduce your tuition expenses to a great extent.
3. Use Public Transportation:
Using public transportation is one of the best ways to reduce expenditure. Discounts can be availed in the form of student passes.
4. Part-Time Jobs:
You can manage the expenses in Canada by getting yourself a part-time job. Using the student visa, international students can secure part-time jobs on campus. Once they have studied at a university for more than six months, they can get part-time jobs outside the campus as well.
5. Students Card:
The Student card that an international student can use to avail discounts in various bookstores, departmental stores, etc.
The living expenses in Canada vary between countries. Before choosing a particular country for further studies, you need to make a proper comparison between the cost of expenses in these countries. Each country has a different accommodation cost, education cost, etc.
Country |
Cost of Living (Monthly Basis in C$ ) |
Canada |
1000 to 2200 |
USA |
1500 to 2000 |
UK |
2000 to 2500 |
Germany |
1200 to 2800 |
Australia |
1200 to 2200 |
Canada is a country that has a lot of undergraduate and postgraduate courses for many students. When students decide to pursue any of these courses, the cost of meeting their expenses is a challenge for them. We have listed the cost of living in Canada for international students including the various accommodation, food, groceries, and transportation expenditures. You can get in touch with any of our AECC counsellors who will be able to provide you with guidance regarding the best universities available in Canada.
The healthcare system is mainly funded by the provincial government and is free to its citizens. The in-patient and out-patient care is also provided free for most os its inmates.
Yes. International students can work on a part-time basis for around 20 hours per week. They can also work for 40 hours per week if their work permit states so. Some of the jobs that are available on campus are only for full-time students.
Many scholarships are provided by the Canadian government and universities for outstanding and bright students to achieve their academic objectives.
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