16 Cheapest Cities in Canada for International Students in 2025

Are you looking for the cheapest cities in Canada for international students to live? Well you are not alone.

Canada is one of the leading destinations for international students at the moment. With the vast number of universities all over the country offering low-cost higher education, a lot of students are flocking in from all parts of the world.

Under the promise of low cost or free education, these students have to make plans on how they shall live during while pursuing their degrees.

No bursaries cover all the wants of any student in the country. At times, they only get access to a living space and a small quantity of money every other month.

To make life easier, they often have to adapt their surroundings. In essence, the best option would be to relocate to an area where the costs of living are low.

In this article, we shall talk about the cheapest places for an international student to stay.

 

16 Cheapest Cities in Canada for International Students

1. St. Johns

This is a city located on Newfoundland Island off Canada’s Atlantic coast. It is also famously known as the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador province.

The city is home to several universities including Fisheries and Marine Institute, College of the North Atlantic, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Grenfell Campus.

Students that come here usually specialize in everything related to the sea so it does not have many options with regards to other courses.

The cost of living in the city is extremely low with a one-bedroom apartment costing as low as CAD 950. A student would need an additional CAD 1,000 to cover food, insurance, transportation, and other utilities.

 

2. Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge (KWC)

Famously referred to as the Tri-Cities, Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge are cities located in the Ontario province. They are strategically located 120 kilometers southwest of Toronto.

Students usually flock to these cities because of their proximity to the great universities in Toronto. For a student, it would be better to commute to Toronto due to the significantly high costs of living in the Canadian capital.

Known as the Silicon Valley of Canada, students can easily get work to supplement their salary. The best universities are the University of Cambridge, Conestoga College, the University of Waterloo, the University of Guelph, and Wilfrid Laurier University.

To cover the monthly living costs, you need to have CAD 1,275. Accommodation in a one-bedroom apartment costs as low as CAD 900.

 

3. Montreal

Montreal is a city located in Quebec, Canada. It has a population of about 2 million with a significant portion of it being students both local and international.

Since students come from all parts of the world, it is a great cultural hub. Montreal is also home to a number of universities and colleges including McGill University, University of Montreal, HEC Montreal, Concordia University, and Polytechnic School of Montreal.

These universities accept applications for international students and offer bursaries though some of the terms are unique to each university.

One of the largest neighborhoods in the city is known as McGill Ghetto, home to a number of students from McGill University.

Rent in the area is CAD 5,000 for on-campus accommodation and about CAD 10,000 for private shared housing.

On average, students spend CAD 450 on food, CAD 220 on transportation, CAD 200 on utilities, and CAD 50 on insurance.

 

4. Moncton

Moncton is the largest city located in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Despite being the largest city in the province, it is also one of the most affordable cities in Canada for international students.

According to Statistics Canada, the cost of living in the city is 6.3% below the national average. Students attracted to the city attend Université de Moncton, Crandall University, Mount Allison University, McKenzie College, and Oulton College.

When it comes to accommodation, you can rent a one-bedroom apartment for as low as CAD 800 per month.

Depending on where you get your apartment, you also have to draft a budget for food, transportation, utilities, and insurance. On average, students usually reserve CAD 900 to cater for everything else per month.

 

5. Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in the province of Alberta. Traditionally, it is known for having some of the best destinations for skiing in the province.

However, it is also home to some of the best universities in Canada including the University of Calgary, Alberta College of Art and Design, Mount Royal University, Bow Valley College, and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). It has the youngest population across Canada making it extremely convenient for international students.

To the residents, the city is also known as the Texas of Canada due to its affinity for the Texan culture. It is also the home of the Calgary Stampede. For students, accommodation can be as low as CAD 800.

Other essentials like food, transportation, basic utilities, and insurance would require around CAD 860.

 

6. Abbotsford

Located in one of the most expensive provinces in Canada, Abbotsford is an absolute gem for international students.

The city is also the largest by area in the province. Reports show that the city’s cost of living is 3.6% below the national average.

This is within the reigns of someone trying to complete their studies. The best universities in the area are the University of the Fraser Valley, University Canada West, Ashton College, Summit Pacific College, and Vancouver Career College.

Considering the availability of rental space in the area, you can find an apartment going for as low as CAD 1450 per month.

Budgeting for other expenses like transportation, food, utilities, insurance and miscellaneous can come to a grand total of CAD 700. This greatly helps when planning for your semester.

 

7. Sherbrooke

Sherbrooke is an unofficial student town located in Quebec. Located just 160km from Montreal, it has 8 educational institutions including CDE College, Champlain Regional College, Bishop’s University, and Cegep De Sherbrooke.

Unlike its counterpart, the town has just over 40,000 local and international students. The town is often recommended because of its lower cost of living.

According to statistics from Statistics Canada, the cost of living in Sherbrooke is 15.6% lower than the national average.

Therefore, you can find accommodation for as low as CAD 800. Also, you can spend CAD 300 on food, CAD 250 on transportation, CAD 250 on utilities, and CAD 50 on insurance. To be on the safer side, you can reserve about CAD 200 for miscellaneous expenditures.

 

8. St. Catharines

St Catharines is a city located in Canada’s Niagara region. It is the largest city in the area and the sixth largest in the province of Ontario.

Students are attracted to the city because its cost of living is 0.5% below the national average. It has also been ranked as the seventh most affordable city in Canada.

The main education institutions include Brock University, Niagara University, Goodman School of Business, and Niagara College. International students usually flock to this location because of its proximity to Niagara Falls.

For those looking to rent a one-bedroom apartment, you have to pay CAD 1,320 per month. You also have to prepare CAD 630 per month to cater for food, transportation, utilities, and insurance.

 

9. Ottawa

This vibrant city is located in the province of Ontario, Canada. It serves as the capital city of Canada and is home to two of the most well-known Canadian universities namely the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.

Others include Herzing College, Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Willis College, and Dominican University College.

Ottawa being the capital city has several recreational spots like cafes, restaurants, and bars. This gives you plenty of options for hanging out.

You also have access to several housing options. Areas with apartments include Little Italy, Osgoode Street, and Old Ottawa South. In these areas, you can get accommodation for as low as CAD 1,200 per month. The rest depends on your budget.

However, if you take an average, you’d have to spend CAD 850 on food, utilities, insurance, and transportation per month.

 

10. Winnipeg

Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba province, Canada. The city is a hub for manufacturing and hospitality industries which greatly favors students in those industries.

Due to the number of industries in the city, it has one of the fastest-growing economies in Canada. Students in the city are poised to attend Booth University College, University of Manitoba, Asper School of Business, Robertson College, Brandon University, and Wesley College.

The manufacturing industries have caused a spike in the price of rentals as it is around the world. however, students can also access good accommodation from as low as CAD 1100. In addition, you can budget for food, insurance, utilities, and transportation using a budget of CAD 2900.

 

11. Saskatoon

Saskatoon is the largest city located in Saskatchewan province, Canada. For international students pursuing higher education, this is where you shall find some great institutions.

The most well-known institutions are the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Polytechnic College.

Other universities include St. Thomas More College, First Nations University of Canada, and Saskatoon Business College.

When it comes to accommodation, the average rental fee for a house in the city stands at CAD 800.

Students also have to part with CAD 3180 to cater for other essentials like food, utilities, insurance, and transportation for the month.

There are also a lot of cultural centers for students to check out including the Museum of Antiquities, Saskatchewan Railway Museum, and Wanuskewin Heritage Museum.

 

12. Kingston

Kingston is a city located in the province of Ontario, Canada. It is home to several universities and colleges like Queen’s University, The Royal Military College of Canada, and St. Lawrence College.

The universities attract different people from different cultures to pursue a multitude of programs in the arts and sciences.

The large number of students makes the neighborhoods livelier and ultimately attracts new students. Like most students’ communities, it has a major event to bring them all together.

The event is held at Queen’s University and is known as Homecoming Weekend. In terms of rent, a one-bedroom apartment costs CAD 1,220.

Other expenses like food, transportation, utilities, and insurance would cost you around CAD 400, CAD 150, CAD 230, and CAD 50.

The modern atmosphere in the city avails the students of bars, restaurants, and experiences to make their college life memorable.

 

13. Quebec City

The city is located in Quebec province where the Saint Lawrence and Saint Charles rivers meet. Known as a predominantly French-speaking city, it is also home to a number of international students.

Students come to the city to attend universities like Université du Quebec, TÉLUQ University, and John Abbott College. When choosing a university, ensure that you select those that will favor your preferred language (English or French).

The cost of living per month is CAD 1,720 including utilities, food, transportation, and insurance. In terms of rent, you would have to pay CAD 1,000 for a single-bedroom apartment.

 

14. Halifax

Halifax is the shining star in the province of Nova Scotia. It is the largest city in the province and also has one of the largest students to resident ratio in the country standing at over 25%.

Its most well-known universities include Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, NSCAD University, Atlantic School of Theology, Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie, and Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University.

Despite the premise of education from a good-ranking university, Halifax also has a great student culture cultivated by the huge student community in the area.

This means cheaper food, decent clothing, and good accommodation. Speaking of accommodation, you can get a one-bedroom apartment for as low as CAD 1,500.

For other expenses like food, utilities, transportation, and insurance, you can come up with a budget of CAD 1,230. Another advantage of living here is that students can potentially get employed in the booming manufacturing and education sectors as they study.

 

15. Toronto

In context, this is one of the most expensive areas in Canada for international students. However, I still urge you to consider it. Toronto is the capital city of Ontario, Canada.

It is at the helm as the largest city in Canada with a significantly high rate of growth. As mentioned before, Toronto is expensive but the upside is that you get access to quality education and there are significantly higher chances of landing a fairly paying job as a student.

The city is riddled with universities that include the University of Toronto, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Humber College, and Centennial College.

For those who do not want to live in the city, you can easily find accommodation in Vaughan, Brampton, Markham, or any other city around Toronto.

In terms of expenses, you would have to part with CAD 2,800 to cater for food, rent, transportation, utilities, and insurance every month.

 

16. Brandon

Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba Province, Canada. The city is known for its excellent cultural programs that are favorable for international students.

There are few on the list that come close to this level of cultural richness in Canada. Its most well-known universities include Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College.

The main programs and events in the city are cultural so students often learn about the culture as soon as they get there. The cost of living is relatively low as you can survive on CAD 2,790.

This figure covers rent, transportation, utilities, and food. While here, you can also get a job at the numerous cafes and restaurants so you can understand the culture and make some money on the side.

 

17. Laval

Laval is a city located in the province of Quebec, Canada. It stands as one of the largest cities in the province and is just 30 km northwest of Montreal.

In Laval, international students come to attend universities like Laval University, Montmorency College, Collège CDI Laval, and the University of Montreal.

They are also attracted by the fact the cost of living in Laval is 9% below the national average. Students also come here because of the lower tuition fees compared to other universities across the country.

Generally, Quebec is relatively cheaper to live in compared to other states. When it comes to rent, a decent accommodation unit for an international student starts at CAD 1,273 per month.

In addition, you would have to spend CAD 300 on food, CAD 200 on transportation (may vary depending on the location of your rental), CAD 200 on utilities, and CAD 50 on insurance.

 

Final Thoughts

As you make a choice on where to live as a student, you should consider a few things. First, look out for areas where students have a big opportunity to get employed so you can supplement your income.

Secondly, it is advisable to look for an area that has your preferred college or university. Lastly, ensure that the income you receive is properly budgeted for so that you can survive even when the going gets tough.

Exhaust all freebies you can get from the university and all incentives given to students by the Government of Canada. Armed with this information, you can easily navigate life as a student in Canada.