Cost of Living in Canada for Students: Monthly Expenses 2025

Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian students, known for its quality education and high standard of living. Knowing the cost of living in Canada is crucial before planning your move. Monthly expenses vary by city, accommodation, lifestyle, and personal habits.  

On average, students can expect to spend between CAD 1,200 and CAD 2,000 per month, covering rent, food, transportation, utilities, and entertainment. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver tend to be more expensive, while Montreal and Ottawa offer slightly lower living costs. 

In this guide, you'll read more about the average cost of living in Canada, city-wise living expenses, housing and accommodation costs, food, groceries, and transportation, and additional monthly expenses.  

Planning to Study in Canada? Learn about top universities, best courses, and part-time job opportunities in Canada. 

What is the Average Cost of Living in Canada in 2025? 

The average cost of living in Canada in 2025 depends on the city, lifestyle, and housing choices. On average, a single person spends around CAD 1,800–2,500 per month (approx. INR 1.14–1.59 lakh), while international students spend CAD 1,200–2,000 per month (approx. INR 76,000–1.27 lakh). 

Here’s a breakdown of the monthly expenses for a student or single resident: 

Expense Category	Average Monthly Cost
Accommodation (1-bedroom apartment)	CAD 900–1,800 (approx. INR 57,000–1,14,000)
Food & Groceries	CAD 300–500 (approx. INR 19,000–31,000)
Transportation	CAD 100–150 (approx. INR 6,000–9,500)
Utilities (electricity, internet, phone)	CAD 150–250 (approx. INR 9,500–15,900)
Health Insurance	CAD 70–100 (approx. INR 4,400–6,400)
Entertainment & Miscellaneous	CAD 150–250 (approx. INR 9,500–15,900)
Total Estimated Cost	CAD 1,800–2,500 (approx. INR 1.14–1.59 lakh)

(Conversion rate: 1 CAD = 63.65 INR) 

City-Wise Average Cost of Living in Canada (2025) 

Canada’s cost of living varies significantly by city. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive due to higher rent and transport, while Montreal and Ottawa provide more affordable options for students and newcomers. 

City	Estimated Monthly Cost
Toronto	CAD 2,200–2,800 (approx. INR 1.40–1.78 lakh)
Vancouver	CAD 2,100–2,700 (approx. INR 1.33–1.72 lakh)
Montreal	CAD 1,600–2,100 (approx. INR 1.02–1.33 lakh)
Calgary	CAD 1,700–2,200 (approx. INR 1.08–1.40 lakh)
Ottawa	CAD 1,800–2,300 (approx. INR 1.14–1.46 lakh)

Source: Numbeo 

Choosing the best country for your studies? Check out the Top Reasons to choose Canada. 

Housing and Accommodation Costs in Canada 

Housing is one of the largest expenses when calculating the average cost of living in Canada. The type of accommodation, on-campus, shared apartment, or private rental, can significantly affect your monthly budget. 

• On-Campus Housing: Convenient and near classes, often including utilities. Costs range from CAD 800–1,500 (approx. INR 51,000–95,000). 
• Shared Apartments: Rent and utilities are split, reducing monthly expenses. Typical range: CAD 600–1,200 (approx. INR 38,000–76,000). 
• Private Rentals: Offers privacy and flexibility but is more expensive, with combined rent and utilities ranging from CAD 900–1,800 (approx. INR 57,000–1,14,000). 

Average Rent by City  

Canada’s rent prices vary significantly by city. Major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are the priciest, while Montreal, Calgary, and Ottawa are more affordable.  

The table below shows the typical costs for private 1BHK apartments and shared accommodations in key cities. 

City	1BHK Apartment (City Centre / Outside Centre)	Shared Apartment / Room
Toronto	CAD 1,844 / 1,609 (approx. INR 1.17–1.02 lakh)	CAD 800–1,200 (approx. INR 51,000–76,000)
Vancouver	CAD 1,900 / 1,650 (approx. INR 1.21–1.05 lakh)	CAD 850–1,250 (approx. INR 54,000–79,000)
Montreal	CAD 1,350 / 1,100 (approx. INR 86,000–70,000)	CAD 600–1,000 (approx. INR 38,000–63,500)
Calgary	CAD 1,400 / 1,200 (approx. INR 89,000–76,000)	CAD 650–1,050 (approx. INR 41,000–67,000)
Ottawa	CAD 1,500 / 1,250 (approx. INR 95,000–79,500)	CAD 700–1,100 (approx. INR 44,500–70,000)

(Conversion rate: 1 CAD = 63.65 INR) 

Food, Groceries, and Transportation Expenses 

Food, groceries, and transport are major components of the average cost of living in Canada per month. Students need to budget carefully, as prices vary by city and lifestyle. 

Dining and Food 

Eating out is common, but groceries help keep monthly expenses lower. 

Here is the average cost breakdown for dining and food items:  

Item	Price (CAD / INR)
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	25 C$ (approx. 1,590 INR)
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant	100 C$ (approx. 6,365 INR)
McMeal at McDonald’s	15 C$ (approx. 955 INR)
Cappuccino	5.24 C$ (approx. 335 INR)
Domestic Beer (0.5L)	8 C$ (approx. 510 INR)
Imported Beer (0.33L)	8 C$ (approx. 510 INR)

Source: Numbeo 

Groceries  

Basic groceries for one person per month. 

Here is the list of the common items: 

Item	Price (CAD / INR)
Milk (1L)	3.07 C$ (approx. 195 INR)
Bread (500g)	3.67 C$ (approx. 234 INR)
Rice (1kg)	5.11 C$ (approx. 325 INR)
Eggs (12)	4.83 C$ (approx. 307 INR)
Chicken Fillets (1kg)	16.66 C$ (approx. 1,060 INR)
Apples (1kg)	5.73 C$ (approx. 365 INR)
Tomato (1kg)	5.65 C$ (approx. 360 INR)
Potato (1kg)	3.70 C$ (approx. 235 INR)
Onion (1kg)	3.63 C$ (approx. 231 INR)
Lettuce (1 head)	3.54 C$ (approx. 225 INR)

Source: Numbeo 

Transportation 

Public transport is affordable, but taxis and cars cost more.  

Here is the general list:  

Transport	Price (CAD / INR)
One-way Ticket	3.50 C$ (approx. 223 INR)
Monthly Pass	104.50 C$ (approx. 6,650 INR)
Taxi Start	4.70 C$ (approx. 299 INR)
Taxi 1 km	2.17 C$ (approx. 138 INR)
Taxi 1-hour Waiting	36.29 C$ (approx. 2,310 INR)
Gasoline (1L)	1.56 C$ (approx. 99 INR)
Volkswagen Golf 1.4	33,978 C$ (approx. 21.63 lakh INR)
Toyota Corolla 1.6L	28,096 C$ (approx. 17.86 lakh INR)

Source: Numbeo 

Additional Monthly Expenses in Canada 

Apart from rent, food, and transport, students and residents need to budget for utilities, connectivity, entertainment, and personal expenses. These add significantly to the average cost of living in Canada per month. 

• Utilities: 

Basic Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage: 206.71 CAD (approx. 13,150 INR) 

Mobile Phone Plan (10GB+ data): 61.68 CAD (approx. 3,925 INR) 

Internet (60 Mbps+, unlimited): 85.93 CAD (approx. 5,470 INR) 

• Entertainment & Leisure: 

Fitness Club Membership: 58.47 CAD (approx. 3,720 INR) 

Tennis Court Rent (1 hour, weekend): 23.71 CAD (approx. 1,510 INR) 

Cinema Ticket (International release): 15.55 CAD (approx. 990 INR) 

• Childcare & Education: 

Preschool / Kindergarten (Full day, private): 1,082.04 CAD (approx. 68,800 INR) 

International Primary School (Yearly): 17,871.05 CAD (approx. 11.38 lakh INR) 

• Clothing & Personal Items: 

Jeans (Levis 501 or similar): 76.28 CAD (approx. 4,850 INR) 

Summer Dress (Chain store): 56.64 CAD (approx. 3,610 INR) 

Nike Running Shoes (Mid-range): 121.27 CAD (approx. 7,710 INR) 

Men’s Leather Business Shoes: 145.63 CAD (approx. 9,270 INR) 

Cost of Living in Canada for International Students 

Studying in Canada involves tuition fees along with living expenses. International students need to plan for accommodation, food, transport, and personal costs. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver tend to be more expensive, while Montreal and Ottawa are relatively affordable. The average cost of living in Canada per month for students ranges between CAD 1,200–2,000 (76,400–1,27,300 INR), depending on lifestyle and accommodation choices. 

Part-time work can help manage expenses, as students can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during breaks. Careful budgeting ensures that the cost of living in Canada for international students remains manageable without affecting studies. 

Monthly Budget Plan for Indian Students 

This table provides a sample breakdown of essential monthly expenses for Indian students in Canada. 

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost
Rent (1BHK/shared)	1,400–1,800 CAD (89,000–1,14,500 INR)
Utilities (Electricity, Internet, Phone)	350–400 CAD (22,250–25,460 INR)
Food & Groceries	300–400 CAD (19,100–25,460 INR)
Transportation	100–150 CAD (6,365–9,550 INR)
Health Insurance	60–80 CAD (3,820–5,090 INR)
Entertainment & Personal	150–200 CAD (9,550–12,730 INR)
Total Monthly Expenses	2,360–3,030 CAD (1,49,095–1,97,790 INR)

Source: Numbeo 

How to Manage and Reduce Cost of Living in Canada?

Managing the cost of living in Canada doesn’t have to be stressful. With some planning and smart choices, both students and newcomers can make their budget go further while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. Understanding where most expenses occur helps reduce the average cost of living in Canada per month. 

Accommodation Tips 

• Shared apartments or student residences are more affordable than private 1BHKs. 
• Living slightly outside the city center can lower rent by CAD 200–400 (12,730–25,460 INR). 
• Look for rentals that include utilities to avoid additional monthly bills. 

Food and Grocery Savings 

• Cooking at home is cheaper than eating out; a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs CAD 25 (1,590 INR). 
• Shop at local markets or budget-friendly supermarkets for groceries. 
• Take advantage of student discounts and bulk offers. 

Transportation Strategies 

• Use monthly public transport passes (CAD 104.50, 6,655 INR) instead of taxis. 
• Walk or cycle for short trips to save on fuel and fares. 

Other Monthly Expenses 

• Choose affordable mobile and internet plans (CAD 60–85, 3,820–5,420 INR). 
• Use student memberships for gyms, cinemas, and other activities. 
• Keep track of personal spending to avoid unnecessary costs. 

Extra Tips for International Students 

• Part-time work can help cover living expenses. 
• Share subscriptions like streaming services with roommates. 
• Use loyalty programs, coupons, and seasonal deals to save on everyday purchases. 

Following these steps can make a noticeable difference in how much you spend. For international students, knowing how much is the cost of living in Canada and planning accordingly ensures you can enjoy life without financial stress. 

Conclusion 

Studying or living in Canada offers a high quality of life, excellent career opportunities, and a safe, multicultural environment. The average cost of living in Canada ranges from CAD 1,200–2,000 (76,380–127,300 INR) per month, but with smart planning and budgeting, it is manageable. 

International students can enjoy life in Canada comfortably by selecting the right accommodation, managing daily expenses, and leveraging student discounts and local resources. Knowing how much is the cost of living in Canada beforehand helps set realistic expectations and ensures a balanced lifestyle without financial stress. 

For personalized guidance on planning your studies and managing living costs in Canada, book a 1:1 counselling session with upGrad and get expert advice tailored to your goals.