Cost of Living in Canada: A Guide

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Cost of Living in Canada

With its constantly rising economy and high standard of living, Canada provides limitless possibilities and potential. Every year, the country creates thousands of employment, lowering poverty and boosting the economy. A healthcare institution in the country is a basic human right. Because access to medical care is so quick and easy, Canada’s healthcare system is the greatest in the world. As a result, many candidates choose the country to complete their graduation and postgraduate studies. If you wish to study in Canada, you need to first learn about the cost of living in Canada.

Must Read: Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students 2023

Why Choose Canada to Study Abroad?

Every year, hundreds of thousands of international students from all over the world arrive in Canada. When you study in Canada, you are investing in your future. Discover the top reasons to study in Canada as an international student!

  • In Canada, you’ll discover a great standard of living. International students enjoy the same rights and liberties as all Canadians, including respect for human rights, equality, diversity, and a stable, peaceful society.
  • Canada is regarded for providing high-quality education and research possibilities, from elementary to post-secondary degrees. 
  • Canada is a welcoming, secure, and culturally diverse community. Both our neighbourhoods and classes will make you feel at ease.
  • Scholarships and work opportunities are available in Canada to help you pay for your education. Many programmes also provide co-op job assignments or internships to help you gain practical experience while you study.
  • When you use your internationally recognised Canadian qualifications to grow your career, you will get a great return on your investment. Whether you choose to stay in Canada or return home, your Canadian education and network will help you prepare for the future.

Must Read: Interesting Facts about Indian Students Studying in Canada

Cost of Living in Canada

Now that you have ample reasons to choose Canada as your study abroad destination, here is the breakdown of the total cost of living in Canada to help you plan and manage your finances better.

Transportation & Commutation

Transportation Average Cost
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) CAD 3.25 
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) CAD 100.00 
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) CAD 4.25 
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) CAD 2.00 
Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) CAD 34.00 
Gasoline (1 litre) CAD 1.60 
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) CAD 30,000.00 
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) CAD 26,925.97

Food/ Restaurants

Restaurants Average Cost
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant CAD 22.00 
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course CAD 90.00 
McMeal at Mcdonald’s (or Equivalent Combo Meal) CAD 13.00 
Domestic Beer (0.5-litre draught) CAD 7.00 
Imported Beer (0.33-litre bottle) CAD 8.00 
Cappuccino (regular) CAD 4.82 
Coke/Pepsi (0.33-litre bottle) CAD 2.54 
Water (0.33 litre bottle) CAD 2.13 
Grocery Average Cost
Milk (regular), (1 litre) CAD 2.78 
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) CAD 3.30 
Rice (white), (1kg) CAD 4.43 
Eggs (regular) (12) CAD 4.32 
Local Cheese (1kg) CAD 14.76 
Chicken Fillets (1kg) CAD 14.93 
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) CAD 18.23 
Apples (1kg) CAD 5.13 
Banana (1kg) CAD 1.87 
Oranges (1kg) CAD 4.80 
Tomato (1kg) CAD 5.01 
Potato (1kg) CAD 3.22 
Onion (1kg) CAD 3.29 
Lettuce (1 head) CAD 3.19 
Water (1.5-litre bottle) CAD 2.30 
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) CAD 17.00 
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre bottle) CAD 3.54 
Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle) CAD 4.19 

Must Read: Best Restaurants Near the University of Toronto

Must Read: Best Restaurants Near University of British Columbia

Utility Bill/ Expenses

Utilities (Monthly) Average Cost
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment CAD 199.12 
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data CAD 56.20 
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) CAD 85.61 
Sports And Leisure
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult CAD 56.82 
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) CAD 23.75 
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat CAD 15.00 
Clothing And Shoes Average Cost
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) CAD 72.91 
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) CAD 51.10 
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) CAD 112.54 
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes CAD 140.91 

Accommodation/ Housing

Apartment Type Rent Per Month
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre CAD 1,672.81 
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre CAD 1,446.79 
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre CAD 2,714.52 
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre CAD 2,374.34 
Apartment Location ( for buying) Price
The price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment in the City Centre CAD 9,154.11 
Price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment Outside of Centre CAD 6,505.95 

Click here to find the most Affordable Student Accommodation in Canada

City-Wise Cost of Living in Canada

City Name Average Cost of living per year
Vancouver, BC $38,484
Toronto, ON $37,000
Calgary, AB $26,904
Montreal, QC $25,000
Ottawa, ON $20,000

Must Read: Cost of Living in Ontario

Average Tuition Fees in Canada

Students in Canada, like those in the majority of industrialised and intelligent countries, have access to free public education until the age of 18. Education in Canada is less expensive than in the United States. Having said that, the quality of instruction is just as impressive and useful, if not better. 

The college search can be time-consuming, so use the AI University Finder by Leverage Edu to ensure you find the finest college for your course. It organises your educational preferences for you so that you can find the most economical college options available to you. 

In Canada, the average cost of a single year of a four-year graduate programme is $22,750 for students living on campus and $11,330 for those living at home.

The same cost at a more premium university can cost up to $135,000 and $65,000, respectively.  

UG Courses

UG Course Tuition Fees
Business $56,000
Computer and IT $55,000
Engineering and technology $55,000
Social and natural sciences $53,000 to $56,000

PG Courses

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

Must Read: Cheap Universities in Canada for International Students

Tips to Save Money in Canada

Whatever your living expenditures in Canada for Indian students are, you can live independently by knowing how to spend wisely. We frequently try to minimise costs and save money, but the key is to be prudent with our money. There are methods for dealing with and minimising the expense of living for Indian students in Canada. Among them are:

Scholarships

In Canada, there are over 800 scholarships available to international students. The scholarships provide a stipend as well as tuition, housing, travel expenses, and health insurance. The cost of living in Canada for students can be greatly reduced if they obtain a scholarship to pay for and support their education and stay in Canada.

Student Cards

Canada is a country that values and cares about its student population. To reduce the cost of living in Canada for Indian students, the country provides a provision for daily discounts for students. To do so, present your I-card or student card at the time of purchase or payment. These savings are accessible at retail stores, bookstores, restaurants, and on public transit.

Part-Time Jobs

Part-time jobs in Canada are one of the finest options for Indian students to reduce their monthly living expenses in Canada. The student visa allows you to work various on-campus part-time jobs. You may also apply for an off-campus employment permit after completing six months of education. A Canadian student visa allows international students to work 20 hours per week in part-time occupations in Canada.

Outline Your Priorities

It is critical to make a list of monthly expenses. When it comes to managing their finances, students should be pragmatic. In a word, individuals should stop buying things that they can live without for a few months but continue to buy every month. Determine how much you want to spend on clothing, groceries, entertainment, and so on. Limit your ability to go beyond. Follow the plan.

Must Read: Managing Your Money and Accounts While Studying Abroad

Things to Consider Before Moving to Canada

If you want to make the most of your stay in Canada, it’s better to research all about the country. Some things that you need to know before you move to Canada include:

  • Culture: Canada is known for its multicultural, respectful and diverse culture. All this can help you in a smoother transition. However, research the customs and culture of the city you’re moving to. It’ll not only help you blend in with locals but also help you feel more comfortable in a new country.
  • Policies: Before you decide to move to Canada, do thorough research on the local laws and regulations. This will help you avoid any unnecessary trouble and educate you on your rights and responsibilities as an international student.
  • Cost of Living: It is necessary to learn about the costs of living in Canada so it helps you make financial adjustments before settling in a new country. 
  • Housing Options: It is important to secure housing before you move to Canada. To make the process easier, you can reach out to Fly Homes.
  • Job Market: Canada offers a diverse job market to international students, which is why it is one of the most preferred destinations for studying abroad. 
  • Climate: You need to be aware of Canada’s climate before you move here. You need to pack the appropriate clothing as the winters here are very rough and you get to experience a lot of snow. You need to be prepared for the climate change beforehand.

FAQs

Q1. What is the cost of living in Canada per month?

Ans. The monthly cost of living in Canada for a family of four is estimated to be $ 3,538.2 (CAD 4,800.9) without rent. Without rent, a single person’s monthly costs are expected to be $ 990.0 (CAD 1,343.3). The cost of living in Canada is 11.3% lower than in the United States.

Q2 What salary do you need to live comfortably in Canada?

Ans. Given the factors in this blog, a reasonable estimate for a family of four to live comfortably in Canada would be an annual income of $75,000 to $90,000 before taxes. This estimate incorporates the aforementioned fundamental expenses as well as some discretionary spending, savings, and emergencies.

Q3 Is Canada more costly than India?

Ans. The word “cost of living” refers to the money needed to cover fundamental needs such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and so on. Given that a Canadian dollar is worth 61.42 Indian rupees, it is evident that Canada has a greater cost of living than India.

This was all about the cost of living in Canada. If you wish to know more about the cost of living in various countries, subscribe to Leverage Edu– your trusted study abroad consultant.

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