Housing and accommodation

$500 - $2,000 per month

If you live in private housing off campus, rent in Canada is typically paid monthly. If you live in a student hall or residence on campus, you may need to pay your accommodation costs in full for the year.

Accommodation costs depend on the city and your living arrangements. It's generally recommended to set aside 25% of your budget for housing.

Learn more about housing and accommodation.

Food and groceries

$240 - $480 per month

If you live off campus, you will likely do your own cooking or share cooking duties with friends. Research the costs online by looking at Canada’s major national grocery store chains. You can even download apps to compare costs or find the best deals.

If you live on campus, you can register for the meal plan. This gives you access to your college or university cafeteria for all your meals.

Utilities and cable

$100+ per month

Internet

$50 - $100 per month

Phone

$60+ per month

Costs will vary depending on whether you are buying a new phone or using one you already have.

Health Insurance

$75 - $120 per month

In Canada, each province and territory provide health care to its citizens. As an international student, you need to determine whether your province or territory offers you health insurance.

In provinces where there is no coverage for international students, your school will have medical insurance plans you can purchase. Often, tuition fees for full-time students include insurance which covers dental, vision, prescription drugs and other health services.

Learn more about Canadian health care.

Travel health insurance

Your school or travel agent can provide details on travel health insurance.

Travel health insurance is different from basic health insurance. You may need it if you’ll be in Canada for less than one year and you expect to live in different parts of Canada. This may apply to students planning to attend:

• High school for only 9 or 10 months
• Language school for 12 or 20 weeks
• A summer camp language school
• A co-op program or internship

Entertainment

$120+ per month

Think about what you’ll want to spend money on for fun. This could include working out at a gym, going to the movies or eating at restaurants. It’s important to set money aside for relaxing and taking care of yourself.

You can explore many parks, trails and beaches for free. Schools may also host free or discounted events for students, like concerts or festivals.

Transportation

$80 - $156 per month for a transportation pass

Plan for your transportation costs by estimating how much money you’ll need for:

• Public transit, like buses and subways
• Bus or train tickets if you want to explore other cities in Canada
• Plane tickets home to visit your family

Many cities offer student rates for public transportation. If you’re a college or university student, check with your school to see if a transit pass is included in your tuition fees.

Some international students choose to buy a car. If this is something you want to do, plan for the cost of your car, automobile insurance, gasoline, maintenance, repairs and parking. 

Many communities have bike paths in recreational areas and bike lanes on busy streets. Some major cities even offer bike-sharing services, where you can rent a bike for short commutes.

For elementary and high school students, school boards generally provide school buses. In some cities, high school students use public transit to get to school.