Average Cost of Living in Canada 2024 - Canada has one of the best education systems and immigration opportunities in the world, making it a fantastic place to further one's profession and eventually reside permanently. Canada's world-class universities, cultural variety, and welcoming people make it a popular study destination for students from all over the world. Canada is notorious for its high prices, but the excellent experience it provides is well worth the cost. With a fair tuition rate and lifestyle, students' living expenditures in Canada are acceptable. There have been numerous predictions regarding the expense of living in Canada for international students, so we've compiled all of the answers in one spot.
In this article, we have covered all of the expected living expenditures in Canada for Indian students, as well as some money-saving tips to help you balance your costs of living in Canada.
The average cost of living in Canada as a student ranges from 15,000 CAD to 20,000 CAD (INR 9,03,999 to 12,05,332), depending on lifestyle and preferences. This varies across provinces in Canada. In terms of tuition prices, the majority of academic institutions in Canada offer courses for 15,000 CAD (INR 9,03,999) or less. Furthermore, the monthly cost of living in Canada for a single student is 880 CAD or INR 53,034, excluding rent.
Students should set aside money for various daily and unavoidable costs. They should also budget for regular expenditures such as lodging and housing, food and groceries, basic utilities, transportation, clothes, travel health insurance, and entertainment. International students need between 9.03 lakhs and 12.05 lakhs to fund it. Thus, the average cost of living in Canada is around CAD 18,340 (INR 11,14531) per year. Furthermore, the monthly cost of living in Canada is anticipated to be INR 68,792 (C$1,132), excluding rent. Monthly rent expenditures are projected at $1,708 per person and $3,911 for a household of four.
The table below summarises the average cost of living in Canada for an international student:
Expenses |
Average Cost of Living in Canada Per Month |
Accommodation (shared apartments) |
$400-$800 |
Food |
$300-$400 |
Travel |
$80-$110 |
Entertainment |
$150 |
Other Utilities (electricity, cooling, water, heating, garbage) |
$164.64 |
Internet (60 Mbps or more) |
$78.82 |
Health Insurance (BC MSP Program) |
$74 |
The monthly cost of living in Canada for international students varies greatly depending on the kind of accommodation chosen. There are five kinds of popular student accommodation alternatives in Canada.
Student Housing: Dormitories and Townhouses
Most Canadian colleges and universities offer student housing on or near campus. Dormitories are bigger structures that house a large number of students, whereas townhouses are unattached and typically accommodate three to six students. Aside from the in-house dining, each includes a cafeteria or food court where you may have your usual meals. Both choices may provide utilities such as heat, hot water, and internet for a reduced cost.
Off Campus Shared Apartment or Condominium
Off-campus shared flats or condominiums provide students a single room in a communal living environment with one or more additional housemates. Like townhomes, they frequently contain a single-occupancy bedroom or living space with a communal kitchen, bathroom, dining, and living room area.
Furnished or unfurnished flat rentals
There are several options for finding temporary furnished flat rentals before moving to Canada to study. You may look at websites like Airbnb, Craigslist, HouseTrip, or Wimdu for this. These are typically furnished individual flat rentals. Check the reviews and ratings, or get comments from prior guests.
The living costs in Canada for various dwellings may be summarised as follows:
Particulars |
Details |
Dormitories |
350 CAD - 600 CAD/ INR 21,093 - 36,159 |
Townhouses |
250 CAD - 650 CAD/ INR 15,066 - 39,173 |
Shared Apartment |
400 CAD - 800 CAD/ INR 24,106 - 48,213 |
Unfurnished Apartment Rentals |
300 CAD - 500 CAD/ INR 18,079 - 30,133 |
Transportation in Canada is well-connected, efficient, and safe. Indian and foreign students in Canada might reduce their monthly expenditures by taking public transit. Aside from that, cycling or walking to college, depending on where you live, are both viable options. Canada offers a variety of means of public transportation, including buses, trains, subways, and light-rail trains. You may get student discounts on these public transport options by displaying your student I-Card. This is an excellent strategy to reduce your monthly living expenditures in Canada.
The expected expense of transportation to calculate monthly costs in Canada for international students is described below.
Factors |
Average Cost Per Month |
Buses |
100 CAD - 150 CAD/ INR 6026 - 9039 |
Subway |
65 CAD - 99 CAD (Monthly Pass)/ INR 3,917 - 5,966 |
Taxis (1 km) |
40 CAD - 50 CAD/ INR 2,410 - 3,013 |
International students' living expenditures in Canada include food. The average monthly cost of living in Canada for international students is between CAD 200 and CAD 300/INR 12,053 to 18,079 for food and other daily costs, excluding housing. To learn more about food costs in Canada, see the table below:
Particulars |
Details |
Milk (1 litre) |
2.46 CAD/ INR 148.26 |
Rice (1 kg) |
3.74 CAD/ INR 225.40 |
Water (1.5 liter) |
1.84 CAD/ INR 110.89 |
Apple (1 kg) |
4.24 CAD/ INR 255.53 |
Eggs (12 Nos) |
3.63 CAD/ INR 218.77 |
Cheese (1 kg) |
12.99 CAD/ INR 782.86 |
Chicken (1 kg) |
13.44 CAD/ INR 809.98 |
Another significant component of international students' living expenses in Canada is health insurance. Certain provinces provide provincial health care to international students, either for free or at a charge. In these circumstances, overseas students are often needed to apply in their respective provinces. In areas where provincial health insurance is not accessible, one must obtain a private one.
Here are some of the most popular private medical insurance plans and their costs:
Name of the Plan |
Approximate Costs |
iMED |
225 CAD/ INR 15,367 for 3 months |
BC MSP Program |
74 CAD/ INR 4,459 for 1 month |
AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan |
176.42 CAD/ INR 10,632 for 8 months |
No matter how expensive the living expenses in Canada for Indian students are, you may live independently by learning how to spend wisely. We often strive to minimise costs and save money, but the key is to manage our finances wisely. There are strategies for dealing with and lowering the cost of living for Indian students in Canada. Some of these include:
There are over 800 scholarships for international students in Canada. Scholarships include a stipend and/or tuition, housing, travel expenses, and health insurance.
Canada appreciates and prioritises its student population. To reduce the cost of living in Canada for Indian students, the nation allows students to get daily discounts. For this, one must present his or her I-card or student card at the time of purchase or payment. These discounts are offered at department stores, bookstores, restaurants, and on any public transit.
One of the most effective strategies for Indian students to reduce their monthly living expenses in Canada is to work part-time. A student visa allows you to work part-time on campus. After six months of education, you can apply for an off-campus work permit. International students with a Canadian student visa can work part-time in Canada for 20 hours per week.
Canada is the world's second-largest country in terms of area, with ten provinces. Living costs in Canada for Indian and other international students vary by province and city. Canada's urban cities are noted for their natural beauty and vegetation. A detailed breakdown of the average cost of living in Canada for international students in various cities is provided below.
City |
Average Cost of Living Per Month |
Toronto |
22,000 CAD/ INR 13,25,865 |
Montreal |
15,000 CAD/ INR 9,03,999 |
Vancouver |
17,000 CAD/ INR 10,24,532 |
Ottawa |
15,000 CAD/ INR 9,03,999 |
Quebec |
17,000 CAD/ INR 10,24,532 |
You now know the average monthly cost of living in Canada's various cities. When it comes to studying abroad, Canada is one of the least expensive options for international students. The entire cost of living in Canada for international students, with tuition fees accounting for the majority of the cost, is somewhat cheaper than in other well-known overseas study destinations such as Australia and the United States.
Subscribe to Physics Wallah to have a conversation with one of our professional counsellors about living and studying in Canada as an international student.
Q.1. What is the cost of living in Canada for Indian students?.
Ans. The cost of living in Canada for Indian students varies according to the city and lifestyle choices. On average, it costs approximately INR 85,000 per year.
Q.2. How much does it cost to live in Canada every month?
Ans: A family of four may expect to pay 3,545.8$ (4,797.2C$) per month without rent. A single person's projected monthly expenditures are 992.1$ (1,342.3 C$) excluding rent. The average cost of living in Canada is 11% cheaper than in the United States.
Q.3. What is Canada's average rent?
Ans. The average rent in Canada varies by city and kind of housing. The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat in a big city such as Toronto or Vancouver ranges between CAD 1,500 and CAD 2,500. However, smaller cities and towns may offer lower rents.