Wondering about the cost of living in Canada? Planning to escalate your career to further heights in Canada? Well, no need to worry anymore. In this blog, we will take you through the estimated cost of living in Canada, all the expenses, and tips and tricks to reduce the cost of living in Canada.
The cost of living in Canada in 2024 varies between CAD 15,000 to CAD 20,000 (INR 9.03L to INR 12.05L). However, the cost of living in Canada may vary as per the choice and lifestyle you have chosen while residing in the country. Keep reading further to know more about the cost of living in Canada with a detailed analysis of all the expenses.
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City-Wise Cost of Living in Canada
The cost of living in Canada is something that varies as per the choice of the city and province you have made. Also, the standard of living depends on the cost of living and the choices you have made during your academic stay in Canada. To manage the cost of living in Canada for international students planning to study abroad, the choice of the city and province is the key. The choice of your city depends on the university you have chosen to study in Canada. Here, is the city-wise cost of living in Canada, which you may consider for further studies.
| City | Average Cost of Living in Canada ( ) |
| Vancouver, BC | CAD 38,484 |
| Toronto, ON | CAD 37,000 |
| Calgary, AB | CAD 26,904 |
| Montreal, QC | CAD 25,000 |
| Ottawa, ON | CAD 20,000 |
Average Cost of Living in Canada: Affordable Cities
Here are some of the affordable cities with their cost of living in Canada for international students.
| City | Average Standard of living in Canada (per person) |
| London, Ontario | CAD 1,013 |
| Calgary, Alberta | CAD 1,154 |
| Regina, Saskatchewan | CAD 1,124 |
| Edmonton, Alberta | CAD 1,183 |
Cost of Accommodation in Canada
As per the latest data revealed by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom flat in Canada is CAD 1,167. Choosing an accommodation is another important component of calculating the cost of living in Canada. Here is the average cost of accommodation with its type to streamline your accommodation hunt.
| Type of Accommodation | Average Cost of Living in Canada |
| On-Campus | CAD 8,000 – CAD 10,000 |
| Off-Campus Shared Accommodation | CAD 400 to CAD 700 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | CAD 1,889.82 (monthly) |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | CAD 1,692.46 (monthly) |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | CAD 3,051.34 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | CAD 2,578.58 |
City-Wise Cost of Accommodation in Canada
You may choose to live on-campus as well as off-campus depending on the choices and preferences. While comparing on-campus vs off-campus accommodation, on-campus student housing comes with a lot of conveniences, easy accessibility, and proximity to the campus. In contrast, off-campus housing provides more flexibility and privacy and may include utilities within the rent. Check out the city-wise rent of the student accommodation in Canada.
| City | Average Two-Bedroom Rent/Month |
| Vancouver, BC | CAD 18,254 |
| Toronto, ON | CAD 1,666 |
| Victoria, BC | CAD 1,571 |
| Ottawa, ON | CAD 1,550 |
| Calgary, AB | CAD 1,355 |
| Edmonton, AB | CAD 1,270.00 |
| British Columbia, BC | CAD 2034 |
Cost of Studying in Canada
Studying in Canada is less expensive in comparison to other countries like the UK or the USA. However, the cost of studying varies as per the university and the course you have chosen to study in Canada. The tuition fees of the universities for undergraduate and postgraduate courses may vary. Check out the average tuition fees for popular universities in Canada and their QS world ranking in 2025.
| QS World Ranking 2025 | Top Universities | Tuition Fees (annually) |
| 25 | University of Toronto | CAD 6,100 to CAD 67,430 |
| 661-670 | University of Newfoundland | CAD 11,460 |
| 1423 | Humber College | CAD 29,500 |
| 951-1000 | University of Regina | CAD 20,050 |
| 151-200 | Royal Roads University | CAD 27,500 |
| 2279 | Thompson River University | CAD 35,650 |
| 362 | York University | CAD 7,153 to CAD 38,826 |
Further Read: Feeling overwhelmed by California’s rental rules? Check out our student-friendly guide to California landlord-tenant laws and get the essential tips for your lease with ease!
Cost of Food and Restaurants in Canada
Food is another one of the most important components of the cost of living in Canada. While calculating the expenses, CAD 200 to CAD 300 should be allocated under the head of food expenses. However, your food habits can reduce or increase this cost drastically. The cost of dining out in Canada may vary as per the type of restaurant and the location you have chosen. Here is an overview of typical dining-out expenses.
| Food and Restaurants | Cost |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | CAD 25.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | CAD 100.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | CAD 15.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | CAD 8.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | CAD 8.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | CAD 5.19 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | CAD 2.88 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | CAD 2.34 |
However, it is always advised to cook at home to decrease the cost of living. It is believed that cooking at home can be a more economical and cost-effective option rather than dining out. Here is the list of the everyday essentials you may require with its average cost.
| Grocery | Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 litre) | CAD 3.00 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | CAD 3.66 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | CAD 5.09 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | CAD 4.77 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | CAD 15.64 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | CAD 16.90 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | CAD 20.18 |
| Apples (1kg) | CAD 5.76 |
| Banana (1kg) | CAD 1.97 |
| Oranges (1kg) | CAD 5.26 |
| Tomato (1kg) | CAD 5.67 |
| Potato (1kg) | CAD 3.67 |
| Onion (1kg) | CAD 3.64 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | CAD 3.53 |
| Water (1.5 litre bottle) | CAD 2.50 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | CAD 18.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 litre bottle) | CAD 4.01 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | CAD 4.39 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | CAD 19.00 |
Cost of Travel and Transportation in Canada
Transportation is the key component of the cost of living in Canada. However, to reduce the cost of living in Canada, it is always advised to prefer public transport over personal taxis or vehicles. The cost of travel and transportation may vary depending on your choices and preferences. Here is an overview of the cost of transportation.
| Transportation | Cost |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | CAD 3.50 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | CAD 104.90 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | CAD 4.50 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | CAD 2.17 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | CAD 39.00 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | CAD 1.61 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | CAD 33,978.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | CAD 27,815.58 |
City-Wise Cost of Transportation
The cost of transportation may vary in various cities of Canada. However, it depends on your choice of the city and how much you are paying for the transportation. Always remember that the cost of transportation can be reduced with the right choice of student accommodation in Canada. Here is a city-wise breakdown of the cost of transportation in Canada.
| City | One-Way Ticket | Monthly Pass |
| Toronto | CAD 3.50 | CAD 156.00 |
| Vancouver | CAD 3.00 | CAD 120.00 |
| Montreal | CAD 3.75 | CAD 94.00 |
| Ottawa | CAD 3.55 | CAD 122.00 |
| Calgary | CAD 3.40 | CAD 112.00 |
| Edmonton | CAD 3.25 | CAD 100.00 |
| Winnipeg | CAD 3.00 | CAD 100.00 |
| Halifax | CAD 2.75 | CAD 82.50 |
| Quebec City | CAD 3.75 | CAD 94.50 |
| Hamilton | CAD 3.25 | CAD 105.00 |
Cost of Utilities and Internet in Canada
Allocating the budget for utilities and internet is an important part of the cost of living in Canada in 2024. Utilities like electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage collection are most of the time included in the rent while there are some student accommodations where utilities are not included. Be careful while signing up for the lease agreement. And, check out the average cost of utilities and internet in Canada.
| Utilities | Cost(Monthly) |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85 sq. m. Apartment | CAD 207.35 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | CAD 64.75 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | CAD 84.93 |
Tips To Reduce the Cost Of Living in Canada
Here are some tips to reduce the cost of living in Canada.
- Always look for the student’s discounts and deals.
- Try to negotiate on rent and bills, wherever possible.
- Utilise loyalty programs and discount apps to maximise value.
- Prioritise grocery shopping at discount supermarkets or local farmer’s markets.
- Plan meals to minimise food waste.
- Explore the cost-effective options during your academic stay.
- Utilise efficient public transportation networks like buses or trains.
- Consider shared flats, homestays, or smaller abodes outside city centres.
- Stick to your budget outlining your income and anticipated expenditures.
- Keep an eye on student discounts and offerings.
- Research government housing assistance programs if eligible.
- Consider cycling or walking for shorter distances.
Recommended Read: Ready to know the ins and outs of student accommodation in the Lone Star State? Check out our ultimate guide to Texas landlord-tenant laws.
FAQs on Cost of Living in Canada
The cost of living in Canada in 2024 is CAD 5,223.3 without rent for a family of four while CAD 1,453.3 is the estimated cost of living for a single person without rent.
Indeed, the cost of living in Canada is 214.7% higher than in India, as per the latest data released by Numbeo.
Canada is the second largest country in the world and an expensive one to live for the students. However, with proper planning and finance management, you can reduce the cost of living in Canada.
You may end up paying CAD 2300 to CAD 2500 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Toronto and Vancouver while Montreal can be quite cheaper with CAD 1500.
The average salary of a single person in Canada should be CAD 45,000 and up (after taxes). On the other hand, the average salary for families (four members) should be CAD 90,000 to CAD 100,000.
Hope you liked reading about the cost of living in Canada in 2024. For a stress-free stay during your study abroad adventure, choose Fly Homes. Call 1800572118 to reserve your ideal student accommodation abroad with ease.
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