Living Cost and Expenses in Canada

It is common knowledge that studying in Canada will cost more overall for Nepalis than for Canadians. But compared to schools and universities in the US, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, studying in Canada from Nepal is less expensive. Therefore, while estimating the cost of studying in Canada from Nepal, be sure to account for additional costs such as housing, food, health insurance, and travel.

The cost and expenses of attending college or university depend on the degree program and school you choose. The annual cost of studying in Canada for Nepali students ranges between 7,000 and 29,000 CAD.

Additionally, courses in the humanities, education, and arts are less expensive, whereas those in the sciences and engineering are probably to be more costly. Additionally, keep in mind that the expenses vary based on the program if you are enrolling for a postgraduate degree because the tuition is often greater. When all expenses and living costs are taken into account, the cost of living in Canada is approximately CAD 15,000. You should factor in both tuition fees and living costs when calculating your overall cost to study in Canada from Nepal.

Cost of living for an International Student

The best-estimated living cost will depend on the university you are applying to because the living cost differs from city to city and is based on where the school is located. Every college provides an estimate of fees and living expenditures in Canada, as was previously discussed.

This table will explain approximative monthly expenditures in Canada as well as yearly costs.

Accommodation costs for international students

Canada is an economical place to study when compared to other well-known study-abroad locations. Depending on the subject and city, a student needs between $20,000 and $30,000 to pay for his tuition. The cost of meals, living expenditures, and other living costs will total about $10,000 Canadian. If you compare it to other well-known study-abroad locations, this is quite inexpensive.

Types of living facilities for international students (housing portals)

There are four typical alternatives for standard housing for international students:

1. Townhouses and dormitories for international students

Some colleges offer on-campus housing or housing close to the campus. While townhouses are freestanding and typically accommodate three to six students, dorms are often larger structures housing several students. Dormitories feature communal spaces for cooking, relaxing, and exercising in addition to shared restrooms and showers. These residence halls, which house one or more people per room, are under the direct management of the school. For first-year college and university students, dorm rooms are frequently recommended as a housing option. Townhouses typically have the main level with a kitchen and living room space and three to six bedrooms with single occupancy (no roommates). Graduate students and second to fourth-year university students typically have access to this type of housing. 

2. Off-Campus Condominium or Shared Apartment

Students can live in a single room in an off-campus shared residence with one or more other people. They frequently have a single-occupancy bedroom or living space with a communal kitchen, bathroom, dining, and living space, just like townhomes (above). It's important to note that not all Canadian universities can help you obtain off-campus housing. In these situations, schools may suggest one or more organizations to you or require you to conduct your research and contact local resources on your own.

3. Homestay or host family

As you begin your new life in Canada, living with a host family may provide you with a sense of security and home. A private, single-occupancy room, one to three meals a day, and internet access are typically offered by host families.  

4. Furnished or Unfurnished Apartment Rentals

Before you arrive in Canada, there are several safe ways to discover a short-term furnished apartment rental by using websites like Airbnb and Kijiji. Typically, these are privately rented, furnished apartments. Make careful to read the reviews of each rental and look at the comments left by past visitors. While renting an unfurnished apartment is an option, it can be challenging for foreign students who are new to Canada. Particularly in the major cities of Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, rental prices for off-campus living can vary greatly.

Food and beverages cost

The average monthly cost for meals and other expenses for students in Canada may range from 200 to 600 CAD. For example, breakfast, lunch, and dinner at restaurants cost between CAD 10 and CAD 15 per person in Canada. Cooking at home and avoiding eating out frequently can save monthly food expenses in Canada.

Transportation cost

While students who live closer to their school prefer to walk to class, those who live outside of major cities like Vancouver, Montreal, or Toronto prefer to take the bus or the metro. The transportation cost of the monthly rail passes ranges from $80 to $110, however, students with proper documentation may be eligible for a discount.

Cost of living in a different city: Canada

Living costs in Ontario

With a population of over 14.7 million, Ontario is the largest province in Canada. It is also one of the most costly. This can be partly attributed to the fact that Ontario has some of the highest housing expenses in Canada, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where 48% of Ontarians reside. Fortunately, Ontario residents can benefit from lower interest rates because of the low mortgage rates that are currently in effect. The cost of living for many Ontarians may increase as a result of anticipated increases in mortgage rates during the upcoming years. However, because the province's other more affordable costs $398 for food, $104 for energy, and $169 for communication services are comparable to the Canadian average and can help offset its exorbitant rentals.

Cost of living in Toronto

Your major cost of living expense will be related to housing, where the typical rent in Toronto will be. The typical rent in Toronto varies depending on the size of the property and is as follows:

$1,217 for Apartments in the bachelor style

$1,680 for an Apartment with two bedrooms

$3,542 for a single-family detached home

$3,542 for a single-family detached home

$1,918 for a three-bedroom apartment.

Utilities, which include power and communication services and are typically not included in the rent, are an additional expense for the dwelling. The C.D. Howe Institute's rate survey revealed that the typical monthly price for Toronto Hydro is $104. According to the CRTC at year's end of 2019, telecommunication services in Ontario, including TV, phone, and internet, cost an average of $169 per month. All of these would result in a monthly housing expense of about $1,490 for a single person living in a bachelor-style flat.

cost of living in Ottawa

Ottawa, the nation's capital, has a cheaper cost of living than Toronto. The city's affordable housing options are the main cause of this. The average monthly rent in Ottawa is, by the October 2021 CMHC Rental Market Survey, as follows:

An apartment in the bachelor style costs $1,061 per month.

Apartment with two bedrooms, $1,547 per month

Single-family detached home costs $3,004 per month,

for a three-bedroom apartment $17,79 per month

Rent is substantially less expensive here than it is in Toronto, which can result in annual savings of thousands of dollars. The true cost of living for one person in a bachelor-type flat might be around $1,314 per month when power and communication services are included. Despite Ottawa's smaller public transportation system than Toronto's, an adult monthly pass costs $125.50 per month. If you decide to drive, which is more practical if you commute from the suburbs or Quebec's somewhat less expensive Gatineau, you may anticipate paying comparable gas and insurance costs to those in Toronto.

Cost of Living in Quebec

One of the Canadian provinces with the lowest cost of living continues to be Quebec. This is due in part to Quebec's electricity prices, which are significantly cheaper than the national average at 7.3 cents per kWh, as well as some of the lowest rentals in Canada and free or heavily discounted child care. The province of Quebec continues to have affordable rentals, with the typical monthly rent in Quebec City being:

An apartment in the bachelor style costs $640.

A two-bedroom apartment costs $945.

for a three-bedroom apartment costs $1,108

for a three-bedroom apartment costs $1,888

In Quebec City, a monthly bus pass for any age costs $89.75. Given low insurance costs and somewhat higher-than-average gas prices, owning a car in Quebec and Montreal has comparable costs.

Cost of Living in Montreal

Despite being the second most populous region in Canada, the Montreal Metropolitan Area, the cost of living in Montreal is among the lowest of all major cities in the nation. This is partially attributable to the extremely low rent compared to other major cities. The cost of housing every month is:

A bachelor flat costs $712

A two-bedroom apartment costs $932

for a single-family detached home $3,192

for a single-family detached home $3,192

In addition to having affordable rent, power costs only $73 per month on average for 1000 kWh. Additionally, at around $946 for one person in a bachelor-style flat, $160 a month for communication services results in some of the lowest total housing costs in the entire country of Canada. The average monthly food bill in Quebec City is $328, which is about the average for the entire province.

Cost of living in Calgary

Calgary has a fairly low cost of living, especially for a large city, and this is mostly due to the affordable rent. The following are the typical monthly rents:

Apartments in the bachelor style cost $919.

A two-bedroom apartment costs $1,350.

A three-bedroom apartment costs $1,431

for a detached single-family house costs $2009

The economic challenges that both Alberta and Calgary have endured over the past few years can be used to explain a large portion of this low cost of rent and living. With low rent, 16.6 cents per kilowatt-hour (KWH) and $166 for 1000 kWh of electricity, and $180 per month for communication services, the cost of accommodation for one person in a bachelor-style flat would be approximately $1,275.

Many Albertans prefer driving to taking public transportation when it comes to transportation. The cost of insurance is $110 per month, while the cost of gas is lower than the national average. If you decide to use public transportation, a monthly adult pass would set you back $112 in total. At $393 per person per month, Alberta's food costs are among the highest in Canada. The average Canadian spends $96 per month at restaurants, compared to $116 per month in the United States. As a major city, Calgary probably has a little higher cost of living than smaller towns, which means that the expenses for food are also likely to be slightly higher.