Cost Of living in Canada for international students
Published: November 21, 2023
Last Modified: May 26, 2025
The cost of living in Canada for international students can vary depending on a number of factors, including the location of the school, the type of accommodation, and the student’s lifestyle. However, as a general rule, international students can expect to spend between $15,000 and $25,000 per year on living expenses.
With a decent cost of living and numerous short-term courses, Canada is one of the desired study destinations for most international students. As per the survey by the Canadian Bureau for International Education in 2018, the 3 prominent reasons that attract a large number of students to study in Canada are its reputation as a safe country (78%), its non-discriminatory society (79%), and its quality education system (82%.
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The basic cost of studying and living in Canada
International students across the world are generally concerned about the tuition fees and, not to forget, the additional costs that are to be incurred during the course tenure.
Living expenses, medical insurance, and accommodation costs must also be on your budget while planning to study abroad. Besides, it is important to focus keenly on applying for a student permit in Canada.
International students are expected to prove to the Canadian government that they have adequate money to match their financial needs to study and live in Canada.
The monthly (average) cost of living in Canada for international students is usually between 600 and 800 CA$ for food and other daily expenses, excluding accommodation.
For instance, having breakfast or dinner at a restaurant can cost somewhere between $10 and $15 per person. When it comes to the entertainment part, a cinema ticket on average costs 12.25 CA$.
The cost of living in Canada is based on the city’s popularity, lifestyle, and expanse; the bigger the city, the higher the cost of living. In Ontario, for instance, the living costs tend to be more expensive.
Cost of living in Canada for international students: Accommodation
Most international students in Canada live on campus in their first year, where students are asked to share their rooms with a roommate while sharing the laundry room, kitchen, and social area with other students.
The cost of living in Canada for on-campus accommodation ranges between 3000 and 7500 CA$ per year and varies depending on the region you choose to study in Canada.
- The University of Toronto, which houses over 20,000 international students, estimates the on-campus accommodation cost for an international student to be somewhere between 1,080 and 2,982 CA.
- The University of Montreal costs 550 CA$ per month for international students on-campus accommodation. In addition, the city of Montreal recently ranked 5th as the best study destination for international students in the world.
Soon after the first year, when they get used to the country and its people, students in Canada usually opt for off-campus accommodation, sharing an apartment or house with their friends to save on accommodation costs.
The rental price varies from city to city. Larger cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary are the most expensive to live in Canada. Hence, for off-campus accommodation, an international student must spend between 750 and 2200 CA$ per month.
There are multiple options for international students to stay comfortably in Canada. From living with host families to university residences to rental apartments, students can pick a style of accommodation that best fits their lifestyle.
Cost of studying in Canada: tuition fee
The tuition fee at Canadian universities is relatively lower in comparison to most developed countries.
As per the data from the academic year 2018–2019, the average tuition fee for undergraduate students (international students) was just around 28,000 CA$. Besides, internationals students in Canada are permitted to work up to 20 and 40 hours per week on study duration and holiday periods, respectively.
2019-20 Average International Tuition Fees by Field of Study Source: Statistics Canada.
| Field of study | Undergraduate (CA$) | Graduate (CA$) |
| Education | $20,875 | $15,764 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, and Communications Technologies | $25,127 | $14,737 |
| Humanities | $28,676 | $13,667 |
| Social and behavioral sciences | $27,647 | $15,032 |
| Law, Legal Professions, and Studies | $33,192 | $17,237 |
| Business management and public administration | $26,680 | $24,693 |
| Physical and Life Sciences and Technologies | $31,536 | $15,421 |
| Mathematics, Computer Science, and Information Sciences | $33,012 | $16,647 |
| Engineering | $33,703 | $19,301 |
| Architecture | $26,457 | $23,992 |
| Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Conservation | $26,208 | $14,452 |
| Dentistry | $56,621 | $22,472 |
| Nursing | $21,922 | $16,168 |
| Pharmacy | $40,960 | $12,876 |
| Veterinary Medicine | $63,323 | $10,099 |
| Other Health, Parks, Recreation, and Fitness | $24,626 | $18,551 |
Cost of Living in Canada: Transportation
While students residing closer to their educational institution prefer to commute by walk, those staying farther away from the cities, such as Vancouver, Montreal, or Toronto, prefer commuting via either Metro or Bus.
The monthly train passes range between $80 and $110, but students with valid identification cards could get a discount on the train pass.
Cost of living in Canada: health insurance
All international students, regardless of which country they study in, are required to have health insurance coverage. Medical coverage for international students in Canada varies from one city to another.
The two significant divisions of medical health coverage in Canada are provincial health care and private health insurance.
- The provincial medical health care system comprises essential preventive and emergency services. All students studying in Canada with a study visa are eligible to avail themselves of this provincial health care card to access services when required.
- International students can also opt for private health insurance, which has many more advantages than provincial health care. The services included in private health insurance are private hospital rooms, ambulance services, dental costs, and prescription drugs.
The average amount of private health insurance in Canada ranges between 600 and 1000 CA$.
How much can international students expect to spend monthly in Canada?
The monthly expenses can vary based on the city, but on average, students might spend between CAD 1,000 to CAD 2,500, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses.
What is the average cost of tuition for international students in Canada?
The average cost of tuition for students in Canada varies depending on the program of study and the institution. However, as a general rule, international students can expect to pay between $15,000 and $30,000 per year in tuition.
What are the visa requirements for students in Canada?
The visa requirements for international students in Canada vary depending on the student’s country of citizenship. However, all students who want to study in Canada for more than six months must apply for a study permit.
What are the health insurance requirements for students in Canada?
All international students who study in Canada for more than six months must have health insurance. The type of health insurance required will vary depending on the student’s province or territory.
Which Canadian cities are the most affordable for students?
Cities like Winnipeg, Halifax, and Quebec City are generally more affordable than Vancouver, Toronto, or Calgary.
Do Canadian universities offer on-campus accommodations for students?
Yes, most Canadian universities offer on-campus housing options, though availability might be limited.