Cost of Living in Ontario: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

As an international student, managing your money can be challenging. Balancing finances with your education is never easy. It is essential to know the cost of living in the destination and if you are interested in studying in Ontario, Canada then you should know what is the latest cost of living in Ontario.

Keep reading this blog to stay informed about the latest updates on the cost of living in Ontario. We have provided a comprehensive breakdown of average living expenses in Ontario and comprehensively examined the key areas associated with it. Let’s dive in and explore the details without further ado.

Cost of living in Ontario Overview

The Cost of Living in Ontario is CAD 3,072 with rent, and it depends on the location and the way of living of a person; it also differs on personal preference. However, the average rent in Ontario is between CAD 1684 and CAD 1909 according to livingcost. Please note that the amount can vary according to a person’s budget and the location you prefer.

A person needs to know the average expenses before moving to Ontario. To help international students planning to move to Ontario, we have categorised the average cost of living here into different categories. Here is the overview of the Cost of Living in Ontario for various categories: 

Also Read: Cost of Living in Barcelona: Expense Insights 2024

Cost of Accommodation in Ontario 

The price of accommodation takes up a significant portion of the total cost of living in Ontario. Places like Toronto and Ottawa are steadily seeing an increase in the price of housing. Students can opt for various living arrangements based on their budget and preferences. Please see some accommodation options below:

• Dormitories: Most universities in Ontario offer residency on campus for students. Dormitories are places where many students live together in large buildings. Dormitories provide food courts, and basic utilities at a reduced cost. 
• Off-Campus Apartments: students can also opt for apartments shared with roommates in a single room. It provides amenities such as Kitchen, washrooms and living area. 
• Private Rental Apartments: As you reach Ontario, you can prefer to live in private rental apartments such as Airbnb. 

You can find out the approx rent for housing in Ontario, both in the city centre and outside it, check out the table below:

Type of Accommodation	Approx Cost
Dormitories	CAD 350 to CAD 609
3 bedroom apartment in City Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2	CAD 1909
Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2	CAD 1684
3 bedroom apartment in City Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2	CAD 3190
Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2	CAD 2758

Cost of Transportation in Ontario 

There are ways of transportation that a student can opt for but to cut down the cost, students can prefer public transportation which is cheap and secure. Ontario has several modes of public transport such as buses, trains, subways, and more. Students can also avail of discounts with their student I-card. 

The cost of transportation in Ontario is also quite reasonable. On average, public transportation costs around CAD 126 per month, and the good thing is that this falls within the total cost of living in Ontario. The means of transportation in Ontario are trains, buses and cabs. Here, we have given various modes of transport along with their fare costs:

Moes of Transportation	Approx Cost
Local transport ticket	CAD 3.5
Monthly ticket local transport	CAD 126
Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi	CAD 25.8
Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal	CAD 1.53

Cost Food in Ontario Restaurants

One of the most important factors that students are worried about is the cost of food and dining. Ontario offers a range of dining experiences from traditional Canadian dishes to international cuisine.

The average cost of a lunch meal in an affordable restaurant in Ontario is around CAD 20.8 and for dinner in a restaurant for 2 people, the average cost of a meal is around CAD 91.4 only. Some of the top restaurants that are affordable for students in Ontario are:

• Banh Mi Boys
• Gandhi Cuisine
• Wilbur Mexicana
• Pho Thi Fusion
• El Camino
• The Mule
• Burrito Boyz
• La Luna Express

Also Read: Cost of Living in Melbourne: Expense Guide 2024

Although the food in Ontario is delicious, it is somewhat pricey. So you can save money by cooking in your room, and it won’t affect your budget for the cost of living in Ontario. For your convenience, the average expense of groceries in Ontario is shown in the table below:

Groceries Details	Average Cost
Fresh White Bread  (500g)	CAD 3.2
Milk (1 litre)	CAD 3.16
White Rice (1 kg)	CAD 4.01
Cheese (1 kg)	CAD 17.3
Apples (1 kg)	CAD 5.1
Oranges (1 kg)	CAD 4.54
Bananas (1 kg)	CAD 1.78
Tomatoes (1kg)	CAD 4.74
Onions (1 kg)	CAD 3.39
Potatoes (1 kg)	CAD 3.19
Eggs (12)	CAD 4.56
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	CAD 1.61

Cost of Utility Bills in Ontario

The monthly basic utility cost in Ontario for a single person is Approx. CAD 309, this amount includes the cost of basic utilities like electricity, water, heating, cooling, and garbage. Which is relatively low compared to the cost of living in Ontario. For your reference, we have given the Cost of Utilities in Ontario for immigrant students in the country:

Details	Approx Cost/Month
Electricity, Cooling, Heating, Garbage, Water	CAD 142
Internet Plan	CAD 73.2

Cost of Health Insurance in Ontario

International students are required to have health insurance to study in Canada. In some cases, students get their health coverage from their universities whereas in some cases students need to buy health insurance of their own which can cost from CAD 600 – CAD 900 every year. 

Must Read: Cost of Living in Barcelona: Expense Insights 2024

Average University Fees in Ontario

Apart from the cost of living in Ontario, students need to pay their fees for university too which vary from university to university. Since Ontario is home to world-class universities it attracts more international students. The fees of some of the top universities are

University Name	Approx Fees per year
University of Toronto	CAD 47000 – CAD 63000
University of Waterloo	CAD 31,000 – CAD 42,0000
McMaster University	CAD 26,000 – CAD 39,000
Western University	CAD 30000 – CAD42000
Queen’s University	CAD 29000 – CAD 44000
York University	CAD 26000 – CAD 34000
Ryerson University	CAD 25000 – CAD 32000

The Cost of Living in Ontario Compared to Other Cities

Ontario is generally considered a relatively high city to live in compared to some cities in Canada. When comparing the cost of living in Ontario to other cities, several factors come into play, including housing, transportation, dining, and entertainment.

So to give you an idea of ​​how the cost of living in Ontario compares to other cities like Manitoba, Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia, Toronto and Nova Scotia. We’ve given the cost of living in other cities. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City Wise	Average Cost of Living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Ontario
Cost of Living in Manitoba	CAD 2306	Lower than Ontario
Cost of Living In Alberta	CAD 2592	Lower than Ontario
Cost of Living in Quebec	CAD 2356	Lower than Ontario
Cost of Living in British Columbia	CAD 3096	Approximately equals to Ontario
Cost of living in Toronto	CAD 3510	Higher than Ontario
Cost of living in Nova Scotia	CAD 2860	Lower than Ontario
Cost of living in New Brunswick	CAD 2111	Approximately equal to Ontario

Why Choose Ontario? 

With an effective cost of living in Ontario, it is one of the most preferred places in the world to pursue international education and emerges as one of the top places to be based in Eastern Canada, making it an attractive place to study. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that make Ontario a popular study-abroad destination for international students:

• Ontario is home to several renowned universities and colleges with exceptional worldwide rankings. 
• The place offers a variety of programs and courses to cater to everyone’s interests and allow students to explore other fields as well. The universities in Ontario ensure that the students gain theoretical knowledge along with practical experience. 
• The place offers a diverse culture where students can interact and create networks with people across the world. This exposure enhances their opportunity concerning job prospects and gives them a global outlook. 
• Post-study work facilities are also available for international students. Canada allows post-study work permits to help them gain work experience. The work experience can also help them become a permanent resident of Ontario. 
• Ontario’s rapidly growing economy has increased the job market with numerous employment opportunities, making it an ideal destination to study and settle for international students. 

Also read:

Cost of Living in Coventry : Overall Expenses Guide	Cost of Living in Nottingham: Expense Insights
Cost of Living in Napier: Overall Expenses Guide	Cost of Living in Coventry: Overall Expenses Guide
Cost of Living in Budapest: A Guide on Expected Expenses	A Guide on Cost of Living in South Africa

FAQs on Cost of Living in Ontario

This was all about the Cost of living in Ontario. Hope this blog helped you with the information regarding the cost of living in Ontario. For more articles and updates related to study abroad, follow Leverage Edu