Cost of Living in Canada Today 

Whether you are working or studying these are the four main costs you should consider in your budget.

• Accommodation
• Transportation
• Food
• Health & Fitness

Excluding rent, we estimate that you will need around C$1000 per month. Since Canada is a vast country, there is a significant variation in the cost of living between cities and between urban and rural areas

In Vancover the cost of living will be much higher than rural Kedgwick (which is in the heart of the Appalachian mountains!). While you may be interested in the towering skyscrapers and iconic CN Towers in Toronto, be prepared for a much higher cost of living in Canada's most expensive city!

Some of the more expensive cities include Vancouver and Victoria, while Moncton and Abbotsford are the most affordable cities.

Breakdown of Cost of living in Canada

Accommodation

In most places in Canada, housing becomes cheaper for students because you have the option to live in a student Dormitory.

For students living in dormitories will cost you $550 in Montreal, $600 in Toronto, and $460 in Calgary.

Want to have more privacy? Renting a small apartment will cost around $640 in Montreal, $1000 in Toronto and $900 in Calgary.

If you are planning to settle in Canada for the long term, you may want to buy a house. By and large it is much more affordable to buy a place in the countryside than in the city. Buying a house averages about $500,000.

Transportation

Depending on the cost of public transportation in the city, it may be more cost-effective to buy a car. The car is about C$20,000 and a liter of gasoline costs C$1.02. Most people living in the city buy monthly transportation tickets, which gives them unlimited train rides. A train or bus card for $83 in Montreal, C$107 in Vancouver and $145 in Toronto.

For those living in Toronto, taking a taxi is also an option, as the city has the cheapest taxi fares in North America!

Want to spend the weekend exploring another city or a distant national park? You can get there by long-distance train, by bus or by plane.

Food

Looking forward to Poutine and Nova Scotian Lobster rolls? In Canada, you can taste local dishes and even food from the Middle East and Latin America, belonging to the large immigration population in Canada!

Want to try all the best restaurants in the city? A meal for two will cost around $70 in Toronto and $60 in Montreal. Want to save according to your budget? You can get fast food starting at $10.

Don't find food from your home country and want to try cooking it yourself? There are regular and international supermarkets available for you to get the ingredients of the cuisine! In Montreal, a month of your groceries will be around $200. On the other hand, you have to budget at least $350 in Vancouver and $450 in Toronto.

Health & Fitness

Free healthcare is the main lifeblood in Canada. Residents and PRS enjoy free health insurance, free health checks, and free dental care! As a student in Canada, it is mandatory to get health insurance. While Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan offer free health coverage to international students, other provinces do not.

Your insurance coverage also depends on the length of your study visa. You should refer to your university website for more details so that you can prepare before moving to Canada! Otherwise, the cost of a doctor's consultation C $ 100. Antibiotics and cold remedies cost C$25 and C$10, respectively.

With many natural places, you can do outdoor activities such as walks and hiking in nature to stay in shape. Prefer to exercise at the gym? A gym membership costs about $60 a month.

Cost Overview:

• Dining in CBD : C$17
• Eat Combo At Fast Food Restaurants : C$10
• Liter of milk: C $ 2.40
• 500 g boneless chicken breast: C $ 8
• 12 large eggs: C$3.94
• Public Transport (monthly pass): C$109
• A pair of Jeans (Levis or similar): C$79
• Monthly Rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) Furnished accommodation in Expensive area: C$2,149
• Monthly Rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) Furnished accommodation in Normal region: C$1,637
• Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio (480 Sqft) in the Mahal area : C$1,600
• Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in normal area: C$1,155
• 4 rolls of toilet tissue: C$2.98
• 2 in 1 hair shampoo (400 ml – 12 ounces): C$5.32

To enjoy life to the fullest in Canada, you don't want to deal with budgeting issues in the middle of your stay. Before you set off, make sure you understand the cost of living in Canada and make a budget.

Working while studying without a work permit is possible in Canada. As an international student, you can work up to 20 hours a week during semesters and full-time during holidays.

If you want to live and study in Canada, our advisors are always ready to help. They know what it's like to be an international student and will provide helpful advice to help start your journey.