For a long now, Canada has become the darling destination for international students from all corners of the world.
The country has gained popularity for its top-notch system of education -Everyone wants to study in Canada.
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Aside from being a great country and an extremely beautiful place to live, the country has friendly immigration policies which attract international students.
In addition, Canadians are very welcoming, as an international student, you will feel at home – transitioning to life in Canada will be easy.
While studying in Canada is amazing, you need to plan very well before coming to Canada to study.
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Part of the planning you need to do is putting your expected expenses together, it will help you predict the amount you will likely spend monthly.
If you have been admitted to study in any institution in Canada, we are here to walk you through the estimated living expenses in Canada for international students per month.
We’ll break down the typical living expenses for international students in Canada per month to help you prepare financially for your stay.
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We hope this will help you know where your money will be going while in Canada.
Living expenses in Canada for international students per month
The average living expenses for international students in Canada per month range from $1,500 to $3,000. This includes accommodation costs, which can be between $700 and $1,500 (depending on where you live). Food expenses can amount to around $300 to $500 monthly, while transportation cost is between $100 to $200.
Utilities such as electricity and internet services can add another $100 to $150. Personal expenses like clothing and leisure activities will also add $200 to $300 monthly.
Overall, as an international student, you should budget between $1,500 to $3,000 per month for living expenses in Canada.
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Accommodation
For accommodation, you have several options in Canada: You can stay on-campus or off-campus.
On-campus housing: If you are staying on-campus, you should expect to pay between $500 to $1,500 per month, depending on the university and type of accommodation (it can be shared room, single room, apartment-style).
Off-campus housing: This is more expensive than on-campus rent however, you have more space to yourself.
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Renting an apartment off-campus can cost between $700 to $2,500 per month, depending on the location (the closer the off-campus apartment is to your school the more expensive it is) and the size of the apartment (the bigger the size, the more expensive).
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How much is single room rent in Canada per month for students?
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Food
International students spend well on food and you should prepare for that as well.
Groceries: Your monthly grocery budget as one person should be from $200 to $400, depending on your dietary preferences and shopping habits.
Dining out: Eating at restaurants occasionally can add an extra $100 to $300 per month to your expenses.
According to most international students in Canada, it’s cheaper to cook at home and eat than to eat out frequently.
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Transportation
You have different options with transport – you can choose to use the public transport system, use private or own a car.
Public transit: Monthly transit passes in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal range from $100 to $150.
Some universities offer discounted student passes.
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Car expenses: If you own a car, you must budget for expenses like insurance, fuel, and maintenance, which can total around $200 to $400 per month.
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Your utilities
Electricity, heating, cooling, and water: Your utility costs will range from $50 to $150 per month, depending on the season and the size of your accommodation.
Bigger apartment costs more.
Internet and phone: You should budget between $50 to $100 per month for internet and phone services.
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Health Insurance
International students in Canada are required to have health insurance. You can be eligible for provincial health insurance.
Some universities have health insurance packages which they encourage their students to use.
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You can use anyone, your choice will depend on what you find more desirable and what covers your health needs.
You should budget from $50 to $200 per month for health insurance coverage.
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Personal Expenses
You will need clothing, toiletries, and personal care items: Everyone is different when buying personal items.
Some love to shop a lot – you should budget approximately $150 to $250 per month for these expenses.
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For entertainment and leisure activities: You can keep between $50 to $200 per month for movies, outings, and recreational activities.
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Miscellaneous Expenses
Aside from these common expenses, you should also expect to keep extra as miscellaneous.
School supplies: You need to budget for textbooks, stationery, and other academic materials, which can cost around $50 to $200 per month.
Emergency fund: This is important – It’s wise to set aside some money each month for unexpected expenses or emergencies.
Total estimated living expenses in Canada for international students per month
- On-campus housing: $500 to $1,500
- Off-campus housing: $700 to $2,500
- Food: $300 to $700
- Transportation: $100 to $400
- Utilities: $100 to $250
- Health Insurance: $50 to $100
- Personal Expenses: $100 to $300
- Miscellaneous Expenses: $100 to $400
Total Range: $1,850 to $5,150 per month
While it’s good to have these numbers, you also need to remember that these are estimated ranges, and your actual monthly expenses can be lower than this (or higher) depending on your choices, lifestyle, location, and university.
As a student in Canada, the choices you make matter a lot – you can end up spending more than the figure here monthly because of your lifestyle.
On the other hand, if you get your expenses right, you will spend less than the figures here.
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When you arrive in Canada as a student, you should create a detailed budget tailored to your specific needs and circumstances to manage your finances effectively while studying in Canada.
Additionally, you can explore opportunities for part-time work or scholarships – it will help offset some of these expenses and increase your overall experience as an international student in Canada.