Average living Cost in Canada for International Students 2024

Cost of Living

Canada is a first preference for international students because it offers many educational opportunities, reasonable living costs, and a welcoming multicultural nature. Canada has a cheaper living cost for international students from other countries that use the English language such as the UK, Australia, and the US. The average living cost in Canada for international students is based on the city, lifestyle, and institution of learning, international students in Canada can stay comfortably from a little as $ 400 to well above $1000 monthly.

What is a Canadian Study Permit?

The average spend on the annual living cost in Canada 2024 is usually between CAD 15,000 and CAD 25,000 per year (INR 9.03L to INR 15.05L). The tuition fees in their range is from CAD 15,000 (approx. INR 9,03,99 as many faculty of higher education in Canada offer courses with such cost guidelines Second, on average, the expenses of a monthly subsistence for a single student who is not lodging in Canada equal 880 CAD or almost INR 53,034. Conscientious expenditure control and judicious financial planning can reduce the money it costs to stay in Canada since its cost of living becomes affordable.

Here are some common types of scholarships for Indian students to study in Canada, along with their average scholarship amounts:

Entrance Scholarships: Awarded to new students upon admission to a Canadian university or college. They are typically based on academic merit and may consider other factors such as leadership potential or community involvement. Average amount: CAD 1,000 - CAD 5,000 per year.

Government Scholarships: Offered by the Canadian government through programs like the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) and the Trudeau Scholarships. These scholarships are highly competitive and provide significant financial support for graduate studies. Average amount: CAD 50,000 - CAD 60,000 per year.

University-Specific Scholarships: Offered by many universities in Canada with specific eligibility criteria related to the program of study, the student's country of origin, or other factors. Average amount: CAD 2,000 - CAD 15,000 per year.

Private Foundation Scholarships: Offered by private foundations and organizations with specific eligibility criteria related to the student's field of study, research interests, or career aspirations. Average amount: CAD 5,000 - CAD 25,000 per year.

Check out the Average monthly living expenses in Canada

Expense Expenses in CAD Expenses in INR
Accommodation $700 - $1,000 INR 43,282 - INR 61,832
Food $300 - $400 INR 18,549 - INR 24,732
Transportation $150 - $200 INR 9274 - INR 12,366
Utilities $100 - $150 INR 6,183 - INR 9,274
Entertainment $50 to $100 INR 3,091 - INR  6,183
Personal care: $50 to $100 INR 3,091 - INR  6,183
Other expenses $100 - $200 INR 6,183 - INR 12,366

Note:These are just averages, and your actual expenses will vary depending on your individual needs and lifestyle. For example, if you live in a more expensive city, eat out frequently, or have a car payment, your expenses will be higher. Conversely, your expenses will be lower if you live in a smaller town, cook most of your meals at home, and use public transportation.

To live comfortably in Canada, average living cost in Canada per month for a single person is around $3,551 to $6,144, while a family of four would need to earn around $4,799 to $5,955 per month. The amount varies depending on your city, with major cities like Toronto and Vancouver being the most expensive.

City Single Person (CAD) Family of 4 (CAD) Single Person (INR) Family of 4 (INR)
Toronto 3,551 6,144 219,566 379,897
Vancouver 3,445 5,955 213,012 368,211
Montreal 2,384 4,799 147,408 296,733
Ottawa 2,822 5,329 174,490 329,504
Calgary 2,449 5,110 151,427 315,962
Quebec City 1,871 4,126 115,688 255,120
Halifax 2,377 4,698 146,975 290,488

Suggested read : Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Student living expenses in Canada vary depending on their lifestyle and accommodation choices. On-campus accommodation typically ranges from CAD 8,000 to CAD 10,000 annually, while shared off-campus average living cost in Canada per month is around CAD 400 to CAD 700. The average one-bedroom rent in Canada is CAD 1,332 per month, which can vary depending on the city.

Type of Accommodation Average Cost (CAD)
On-campus  $8,000 $10,000 (annually)
Shared accommodation Off-campus $400 to $700 (monthly)
1 BHK in City Center $1,332  (monthly)
1 BHK Outside of City Center $1,123 (monthly)

Living expenses can differ as per the city and location of the university you are applying to. The estimated average living cost in Canada for indian students can be determined by the college they choose. Canadian colleges provide estimated fees and living expenses that vary from one institution to another. Some colleges offer affordable on-campus boarding options, while others charge higher. Here is a table showing Canada's approximate monthly and annual expenses.

Discipline UG Course Average Fee (Per Year) PG Course Average Fee (Per Year)
Pharmacy CA$ 32,886 CA$ 10,500
Architecture and Related Technologies CA$ 22,100 CA$ 20,000
Nursing CA$ 18,000 CA$ 12,000
Law CA$ 27,056 CA$ 16,549
Engineering CA$ 26,582 CA$ 15,800
Business Management CA$ 23,500 CA$ 20,000
Mathematics and Computer Science CA$ 25,000 CA$ 13,000

Check the Complete guide on Study in Canada

A one-year program in Canada for a four-year graduate degree costs around $22,750 for students living in college residence and $11,330 for students living at home. However, these fees can go up to $135,000 and $65,000 at pricier universities.

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UG Course Tuition Fees
Engineering and technology $55,000
Computer and IT $55,000
Business $56,000
Social and natural sciences $53,000 to $56,000
PG Course Tuition Fees
Engineering and technology $52,500
Computer and IT $52,500
Social and natural sciences $37,000 to $58,300
Business $52,700

The average living cost in Canada per month varies significantly from city to city. Toronto is the most expensive city, with an average two-bedroom rent of $1,666 per month. Vancouver is a close second, with an average rent of $1,825 per month. Edmonton is the most affordable city on the list, with an average rent of $1,270 per month.

City  Average Two-Bedroom Rent/month
Vancouver  $1,8254
Edmonton $1,270
Victoria  $1,571
Calgary $1,355
Ottawa  $1,550
Toronto  $1,666

Source: Rental Market Report by CMH

Canada is the world's second-largest country, comprising 10 provinces. The cost of living for international students, including those from India, varies depending on the province's city. Canada boasts some famous metropolitan areas abundant in natural beauty and greenery. Below, we provide a detailed overview of international students' average living cost in Canada 2024 in various Canadian cities.

City  Average Annual Cost of Living (CAD)
Vancouver $38,484
Montreal $25,000
Calgary $26,904
Toronto $37,000
Ottawa $20,000

The commuting cost for students in Canada can vary depending on whether they live on or off campus. If they decide to use public transportation such as subways or commuter trains, they can expect to pay a few dollars for a one-way fare, while monthly passes can range from approximately CAD 80 to CAD 150.

Factors Average Monthly Cost 
Taxi (1km) CAD 40 – CAD 50 
Buses CAD 100 – CAD 150 
Subway CAD 65 – CAD 99 (Monthly Pass)

Living expenses in urban areas tend to be higher than in the suburbs, as in most parts of the world. Although on-campus housing may only sometimes be the cheapest option for students, it is undoubtedly the most convenient. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive cities to reside in, with Toronto experiencing a shortage of affordable housing, resulting in higher costs that continue to increase.

International students should comprehensively analyze before selecting a country to pursue their studies. Each destination varies in terms of accommodation and educational expenses. Now, let's explore the average monthly living expenses in Canada for international students in different countries.

Country Accommodation Cost
UK

On campus- INR. 41,120 – INR. 61,681 Monthly

Off-campus – INR. 61,694 – INR 2,05,648 Monthly

USA

On-campus- INR. 7,27,559- INR 8,24,072 per annum

Shared Off-campus- INR. 33,408 Monthly

Germany INR. 25,000 – INR. 60,000 Monthly
Canada

On-campus – INR. 4,75,007 to INR. 5,93,759 per annum

Shared Off-campus – INR. 23,750 to INR. 41,563 Monthly

Australia

On-campus- INR. 5,488 – INR. 13,970 Monthly

Off-campus- INR. 4,500 – INR. 21,953 Monthly

UAE

On campus: INR. 51,025 per annum

Off-campus- INR. 63,640- INR. 1,74,850 Monthly

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FAQ's Study In Canada

How much does it cost to study in Canada?

Canada is an affordable country to study as compared to many others. You will likely need between CAD20,000 and CAD30,000 per year to cover tuition. The range is a guideline only, and the exact number will depend on your school and program. The cost of housing, food, and other living expenses will vary based on your location and personal needs.

Every university in Canada has its own criteria for studying for various majors. It can contain a variety of documents containing personal information as well as academic skills. The following are the general documents that must be submitted: School leaving certificate Bachelor's degree certificate (for master’s course) Proof of language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) Academic Test Scores (GRE, GMAT) Scanned copy of passport SOP for Canada Letter of recommendation (if required) Resume or CV

Montreal is the best city for international students to study in Canada. Montreal is ranked among the top ten best student-friendly cities not just in Canada, but throughout North America as well.

Canada is a much more affordable place to study than many other countries. As an international student, studying in Canada is an excellent option if you're looking for an affordable degree.

In Canada, the average acceptance rate ranges between 45-55%, depending on the year and institution.

Studying in Canada is a dream for many, but one thing that stops students are the high course fee, but a fully-funded scholarship has made a dream come true for many.Is this scholarship available for everyone? Well, these scholarships will be based on your merits and postgraduate level. List of top fully-funded scholarships in Canada UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Programme University of Waterloo Scholarship.

Canadian universities not only have a world-class education system but also maintain an exceptional reputation with employers. Canadian universities know how to teach skills to students that can be applied in the real world, making the placements easier for students. Here is the list of some of top universities with higher employability University of TorontoUniversity of British ColumbiaMcGill UniversityUniversity of Montreal/HECMcMaster University University of AlbertaUniversity of Victoria Dalhousie University University of Waterloo

Canada is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities and attracts many students each year. If you plan to study in Canada, you can pursue these courses to get highly paid. Below is the approximation of salary as per the job with relevant years of experience. Surgeon: 3,87,000 CAD/year Psychiatrist: 3,06,000 CAD/year Dentist: 2,74,000 CAD/year Engineering: 1,09,000CAD/year Marketing: 2,09,000 CAD/year Lawyer: 1,35,000 CAD/year Nurse: 74,000 CAD/year

Yes, you can apply for PR after the student visa, and you need to fulfill some of the PR criteria. Getting a PR is not a challenging thing. All you need is to be aware of the process as per your program. Here is a list of Canadian immigration programs you may consider: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Quebec Experience Class (QEC) Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

You must be at least 18 years old to study in Canada. However, the age limit varies as per the province. Thus, you must check the eligibility criteria of the region you want to study. The main requirement is that you must be between 18 to 35.

The cost to study in Canada depends on various factors like the college/university you want to study in, the province, and the course you wish to choose. The tuition fee can range from CAD 8000- 52000 depending upon the university fee. The living expenses will be anywhere between CAD 12,000-16,000 per year, according to the city and standard of living. But you do not need to worry about living expenses as you can easily get a part-time job with your studies to cover the cost.

You have the option to work a maximum of 20 hours every week. Going beyond this limit is considered a breach of the conditions stated on your study permit. Engaging in such activity can result in losing your student status and potential difficulties in obtaining future study or work permits. Between January 1, 2024, and April 30, 2024, students who meet the eligibility criteria can engage in off-campus work without needing a work permit for over 20 hours per week during a regular academic session. This applies to those whose study permit applications were received by IRCC between October 8, 2022, and December 7, 2023.

The cost to study in Canada depends on various factors like the college/university you want to study in, the province, and the course you wish to choose. The tuition fee can range from CAD 8000- 52000 depending upon the university fee. The living expenses will be anywhere between CAD 12,000-16,000 per year, according to the city and standard of living. But you do not need to worry about living expenses as you can easily get a part-time job with your studies to cover the cost.

You have the option to work a maximum of 20 hours every week. Going beyond this limit is considered a breach of the conditions stated on your study permit. Engaging in such activity can result in losing your student status and potential difficulties in obtaining future study or work permits. Between January 1, 2024, and April 30, 2024, students who meet the eligibility criteria can engage in off-campus work without needing a work permit for over 20 hours per week during a regular academic session. This applies to those whose study permit applications were received by IRCC between October 8, 2022, and December 7, 2023.