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Posted on 10 Aug '23
What are the Cheapest Canadian Cities to Live in as a Student?
Fancy studying a Masters or PhD in Canada but not sure where you can afford?
Living costs can play a large role in your decision to study abroad. Although Canada’s not one of the most expensive countries to live, it’s not particularly cheap. While we recommend going to the university or area that has the best course for you, it’s also important to research where you could afford to live.
Using crowdsourced data, we’ve looked at the five cheapest Canadian cities to live in as a student. Also, just to note, the listed rent costs are for one-bedroom apartments. Many students opt to house share which can substantially decrease the cost of rent.
#1 Regina
Regina is the capital city of the Saskatchewan province. As the commercial centre for the region, the city has become a hub for shopping, entertainment and nightclubs. You can also enjoy the many parks, greenspaces and the Wascana lake.
The main university in the area is The University of Regina. The institution is active in supporting the local area, with the fine arts constituency driving cultural life through music, theatre and dance. If the great outdoors and culture is your scene, Regina could be the place for you.
| Item | Prices in Regina | National Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment (in city centre) | CAD $950 | CAD $1669 | |
| One-bedroom apartment (outside city centre) | CAD $910 | CAD $1447 | |
| Monthly utilities | CAD $245 | CAD $200 | |
| Monthly transportation pass | CAD $77 | CAD $100 | |
| Meal at inexpensive restaurant | CAD $18 | CAD $22 | |
| * These figures are based on crowdsourced data published by Numbeo and rounded off to the closest whole number. | |||
#2 Saskatoon
Also in the Saskatchewan province, Saskatoon is the largest city in the area. It has a thriving culture for students, with regular summer festivals and multiple music and performance venues. Saskatoon is also located on the Yellowhead Highway which connects the city to other provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia.
The main university in Saskatoon is the University of Saskatchewan which operates as a world leader in water and food security, health and environmental studies.
| Item | Prices in Regina | National Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment (in city centre) | CAD $1381 | CAD $1669 | |
| One-bedroom apartment (outside city centre) | CAD $1032 | CAD $1447 | |
| Monthly utilities | CAD $299 | CAD $200 | |
| Monthly transportation pass | CAD $83 | CAD $100 | |
| Meal at inexpensive restaurant | CAD $20 | CAD $22 | |
| * These figures are based on crowdsourced data published by Numbeo and rounded off to the closest whole number. | |||
#3 Windsor
Located in Ontario, Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada. Known as the automotive capital of Canada, the city could be an excellent place for those looking to study engineering or manufacturing.
The University of Windsor is the main university in the area and is home to over 4,000 graduate students. Their graduate courses cover a wide range of topics from social justice to international trade.
| Item | Prices in Windsor | National Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment (in city centre) | CAD $1406 | CAD $1669 | |
| One-bedroom apartment (outside city centre) | CAD $1392 | CAD $1447 | |
| Monthly utilities | CAD $209 | CAD $200 | |
| Monthly transportation pass | CAD $134 | CAD $100 | |
| Meal at inexpensive restaurant | CAD $20 | CAD $22 | |
| * These figures are based on crowdsourced data published by Numbeo and rounded off to the closest whole number. | |||
#4 Québec City
Next up on the list is Québec City, the capital of Québec which is mostly a French-speaking province. As the only fortified city on the continent north of Mexico, the old walls are classed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also only a short flight away from New York if you fancied a weekend trip away!
There are three key universities which offer graduate programmes in Québec City: Laval University, the National Institute of Scientific Research and the National School of Public Administration. Make sure to check what language the courses are run in before applying!
| Item | Prices in Québec City | National Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment (in city centre) | CAD $1123 | CAD $1669 | |
| One-bedroom apartment (outside city centre) | CAD $953 | CAD $1447 | |
| Monthly utilities | CAD $199 | CAD $200 | |
| Monthly transportation pass | CAD $90 | CAD $100 | |
| Meal at inexpensive restaurant | CAD $25 | CAD $22 | |
| * These figures are based on crowdsourced data published by Numbeo and rounded off to the closest whole number. | |||
#5 Greater Sudbury
Finally, the fifth cheapest Canadian city to live in is Greater Sudbury, located in Ontario. The city is considered the hard rock mining capital of the world and is home to the third-largest crater on Earth. It also has a growing film and television industry so is great for budding geologists and film makers alike!
The main institution in the area offering graduate courses is Laurentian University. Most of their courses specialise in education, health, science or engineering.
| Item | Prices in Greater Sudbury | National Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment (in city centre) | CAD $1273 | CAD $1669 | |
| One-bedroom apartment (outside city centre) | CAD $1125 | CAD $1447 | |
| Monthly utilities | CAD $160 | CAD $200 | |
| Monthly transportation pass | CAD $88 | CAD $100 | |
| Meal at inexpensive restaurant | CAD $25 | CAD $22 | |
| * These figures are based on crowdsourced data published by Numbeo and rounded off to the closest whole number. | |||
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