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A Complete Guide To

Cost of Living in Canada

Chapter 1

Overview:

Canada is a great place to develop one’s profession and settle down permanently in the long term. It has one of the strongest immigration policies and educational systems in the world. Canada is a well-liked study destination for students from all over the world due to its top-notch universities, cultural variety, and welcoming population. Although Canada is renowned for being pricey, the excellent experience it gives is well worth the cost. Students in Canada can live well on a budget with a decent quality of life and tuition. There have been numerous reports regarding the cost of living for international students in Canada, therefore we have gathered all of the information in one spot.

Read this article to learn all about the cost of living in Canada.

Cost of living in Canada

Chapter 2

Cost of Living in Canada for Family

In Canada, the cost of living is pretty affordable. If you are a single person, you will have to spend around $1,245 per month excluding rent. If you are a single student, it will cost around $880 per month excluding rent. However, if you are a two-person family, it will cost you around $2,500 per month excluding rent.

Now, let’s discuss all the factors in detail.

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Cost of Food

The typical monthly cost for food and other expenses in Canada might range from 200 to 600 CAD. For instance, the price per person for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a restaurant could range from CAD$ 10 to CAD$ 15.

Check out the table below for more details:

Food Items

Average Amount in CAD

Meal for 1 

CAD 18 

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 L)

CAD 2.30 

Water (0.33 L)

CAD 1.85 

Milk (1 L)

CAD 2.47 

Bread (500g)

CAD 2.94 

Rice (White, 1 kg)

CAD 3.71 

Eggs (1 dozen)

CAD 3.54 

Banana (1 kg)

CAD 1.72 

Onion (1 kg)

CAD 2.66 

Cost of Public Transport

The public transportation network in Canada is well-connected, effective, and safe. Indian and international students might reduce their monthly costs in Canada by using public transportation.

An estimation of transportation expenses to help international students budget their monthly expenses in Canada is as follows:

Factors

Average Cost Per Month in CAD

Buses

100 CAD - 150 CAD 

Subway

65 CAD - 99 CAD (Monthly Pass)

Taxis (1 km)

 

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Accommodation Cost

You won’t have any trouble locating on-campus accommodation at Canadian universities if you’re an overseas student. First-year students typically like living on campus. Though most students are obliged to share their rooms with a communal eating area, a locker room, and recreational facilities, you should think about if on-campus accommodation suits your needs.

The rent you would have to pay for on-campus living is the most crucial thing to take into account before choosing this option.

In Canada, the average annual cost of living for on-campus accommodation is between CAD 8,000 and CAD 10,000.

Off-campus housing may have prohibitively high rent. However, it will be less expensive to share lodging. You will require at least $400 Canadian each month to live in Canada.

Check out the table below for more details:

Types of House

Average Amount in CAD

On-Campus accommodation 

CAD 7787.20 to CAD 9734.00 per year

Shared Apartment Off-campus

CAD 389.36 to CAD  681.38 per month

1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre

CAD 1296.57 per month

1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of Centre

CAD 1093.13 per month.

Tuition Fees in Canada

The fees that universities in Canada establish themselves depend on a number of variables, including the programme you’re enrolled in, whether you’re a domestic or international student, and whether you’re a graduate or undergraduate student.

A graduate degree will typically cost CAD 7,056 annually for Canadian citizens, while an undergraduate degree would cost an average of CAD 6,463 annually.

Top Affordable Colleges in Canada

1. Newfoundland and Labrador’s University

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 2,000 per course
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 710 per semester

2. University of Manitoba

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 18,100 per year
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 12,000 per year

3. Concordia University

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 24,000 per year
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 24,000 per year

4. McGill University

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 26,500 per year
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 19,000 per year

5. Ryerson University

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 30,000 per year
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 27,000 per year

6. University of New Brunswick

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 10,000 per year
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 10,000 per year

7. University of Alberta

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 30,000 per year
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 9,000 per year

8. University of British Columbia

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 5,700 per year
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 45,000 per year

9. University of Ottawa

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 40,000 per year
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 19,000 per year

10. University of Toronto

  • Undergraduate Program Fees: From CAD 60,000 per year
  • Graduate Program Fees: From CAD 30,000 per year

Top Affordable Cities in Canada

1. Ontario

Despite having some of the most costly cities in Canada, Ontario also includes some of the most affordable ones, including Sault Ste. Marie. Bring your talents to the third-largest city in Ontario, where there are plenty of employment opportunities across all sectors and where rent can be found for under $1000 per month.

In Sault Ste. Marie, a healthy work-life balance is more than just a pipe dream. Here, you can discover why winter sports are an essential part of Canadian culture, access top-notch education, and take in well-known, breathtaking, and inspirational scenery (such as the Agawa Canyon). Enjoy the finest of cottage life by swimming, hiking, roasting marshmallows, and using hot saunas.

2. Rimouski, Quebec

The people of Rimouski believe that they are the happiest people in all of Quebec. This might be because of the city’s idyllic scenery and waterfront location on the world’s largest estuary, which provides an amazing natural ecosystem that can be experienced through hiking, kayaking, bird watching, and marine studies.

In addition, Rimouski supports work-study balance and academic success, and it has some of the greatest positions for women in science and engineering. With a reliable monthly salary and a reasonable rent of roughly $800, Rimouski is undoubtedly one of the most cost-effective places in Canada and is deserving consideration.

3. Timmins, Ontario

Timmins is also one of Canada’s most reasonably priced communities to live in, making it a wonderful city for all of you wildlife lovers out there.

Although mining and forestry still account for the majority of occupations, opportunities in retail, engineering, communications, and IT are growing steadily. Timmins, a hidden natural jewel in Ontario, is where the city and the outdoors converge. For around $700 a month, you can rent a downtown apartment with access to nature on your back porch. 

4. Quesnel, British Columbia

Quesnel is considered to be Canada’s smallest city as well as one of its most cheap. Give Quesnel a shot if you’ve ever fantasised about relocating to a peaceful community where rent is roughly $850 per month and wildlife sightings are frequent.

Speaking about a well-rounded lifestyle, the city provides excellent educational options for your future children as well as employment opportunities at one of the prosperous local firms or in the production of wood products, agriculture, mining, agri-technology, or tourism. 

5. St. Catharines

St. Catharines is among the most affordable cities to live in Canada and offers a variety of employment prospects if you’re new to the country and don’t want to deal with the high cost of living in Toronto. If you ever get the urge to visit the big city, it’s only a hour’s drive, and the real estate and rent costs are half of what you would find in Toronto.

Several of the most spectacular natural sights you’ve ever seen can be found in St. Catharines, which also has year-round attractions and activities that will likely keep you occupied for a while. These include art exhibitions, festivals, theatrical performances, historical exhibitions, fantastic shopping opportunities, and a rapidly expanding number of regional craft breweries. The Garden City, as it is often known, certainly offers everything.

Tips to Save Money in Canada

Optimise Your Cost of Studies

The total cost of studying in Canada depends on a variety of factors. Although living expenses are a distinct category, you can make the most of the cost of your studies to save money in Canada as a foreign student.

Get a Part-time Job

When you’re a student, you’ll have some time off during the week and on the weekends that you can spend wisely. Working part-time while you’re a student in Canada is a fantastic way to save money. Naturally, you can look for part-time jobs both on and off campus to work on the weekends or in the evening hours without sacrificing your study time.

Save on Accommodation

Renting a home is one of the most expensive aspects of living in Canada. International students enjoy a variety of housing alternatives, including shared rooms, dorms, student hostels, apartments, etc., both on and off campus. Typically, on-campus housing is more costly than off-campus housing. In comparison to the cost of living on campus, commuting from off campus will not be expensive because students receive significant discounts on the public transportation system. Additionally, choosing shared housing will reduce your rent by 50% and enable you to save money.

Save on Travel Expenses

During your school semester vacations, you might want to travel a little if you live abroad. You could also wish to visit your family and friends once a year. Although it will cost a lot, you might not want to avoid it.

Cut Down Food & Groceries, Shopping Costs

Aside from lodging and transportation, food, groceries, and other shopping needs all add to the total cost of living. By using the tips provided below, you may effortlessly minimize these costs.

  • Learn to prepare your own meals. No matter where you reside, eating out frequently is never a smart choice. Prepare quick, wholesome meals that are full, healthy, and much less expensive; stock your pantry. Once a week, you can pamper yourself with takeout or fast meals.
  • Use coupons and student discounts, shop at neighbourhood stores and farmer’s markets, and reduce your shopping bill. To avoid overstocking, plan your meals and go grocery shopping once a week.
  • Canada is a cold country, therefore you might want to spend money on appropriate winter apparel, footwear, and accessories. There can be additional unrelated costs that you need to pay. Consider your purchases carefully during holiday specials or even online, where you can get the same products of high quality for 50% to 80% less. By choosing reduced plans, you can save money on other expenses like phone and internet fees.

Avail Student Discounts

Canada is a welcoming country for students, giving them substantial discounts on travel, public transportation, food, shopping, electronics, hotel stays, etc. Both domestic and foreign students have access to student discounts both within Canada and abroad using the International Student Identity Card. Use this card when travelling to Canada and other places to save money.

Average Salary in Canada

The average salary in each of the Canadian provinces and territories is shown in the following table:

Province & Territory

Average Salary (per year)

Nunavut

$87,355

Northwest Territories

$77,670

Alberta

$61,865

Yukon

$61,812

Ontario

$55,524

Newfoundland and Labrador

$55,508

Saskatchewan

$54,371

British Columbia

$53,516

Quebec

$51,735

Manitoba

$49,661

New Brunswick

$49,511

Nova Scotia

$48,470

Prince Edward Island

$45,912

The following table displays the average pay in several job sectors in Canada:

Job Sectors

Average Salary

Accommodation and Food Services

$22,877

Administrative and Support

$47,369

Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

$40,241

Construction

$68,374

Education

$58,343

Finance and Insurance

$76.843

Forestry and Logging

$58,739

Health Care and Social Assistance

$52,888

Information and Culture Industries

$71,634

Management of Companies and Enterprises

$74,560

Manufacturing

$59,250

Mining, Oil and Gas Extraction

$113,506

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

$76,077

Public Administration

$75,799

Real Estate (Rental/Leasing)

$58,623

Retail

$34,503

Transportation and Warehousing

$61,011

Utilities

$101,531

Wholesale Trade

$67,456

Conclusion

Canada is widely recognised as one of the most popular study abroad locations for students. Canada is more economical to study and live in than other well-known countries. Additionally, the scenic surroundings, energetic city vibe, and tight-knit campus community offer students the perfect environment for overall development.

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