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Cost of Living in Canada for Nepal Students in 2025

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

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Have you decided to study in Canada? It's a dream of many Nepali students given the top-class universities, multicultural environment, and globally recognised degrees. Before you set off to finalise a Canadian institution or make plans for location hunting, it's important to know the actual cost of living in Canada for international students in 2025!

No matter where you are planning to stay in Canada, be it Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver, realistically planning your finances is crucial. This blog will paint a real picture of the living costs in Canada for international students, including everything from groceries to entertainment, for you to plan your budget accordingly.

Let's get started!

Accommodation Cost in Canada for Nepal Students

The accommodation cost in Canada for international students varies depending on the cities and the type of housing chosen. The two types of housing for international students are on-campus accommodations and off-campus housing, which includes renting apartments and homestays.

On-Campus Accommodation

The accommodation cost for every university, city, and housing type (dorm or residence) is different. Here are the top five universities:

University Name & Location	Housing Type	Annual Cost (in CAD)
University of Toronto, Toronto	Residence	$14,648 -$18,172
McGill University, Montreal	Residence	$11, 184 - $13,080
University of Ottawa, Ottawa	Residence	$8,417 - $22,502
University of British Columbia, Vancouver	Residence	$12,000 - $14,500
University of Calgary, Calgary	Residence	$4,032 - $14,973

Off-Campus Accommodation

The monthly cost in Canada for international students for off-campus housing depends upon the types of accommodation and the city chosen. You can opt for a rental apartment with a single occupant, a shared house or apartment, or a homestay. Check out the cost of renting:

Housing Type	Monthly Cost (in CAD)	What to Expect?
Renting a room in a house	$400 - $800	Buying food
Apartment in a high-rise building	$900 - $2,000	Cost varies depending on the city and the number of rooms
Apartment in Toronto and Vancouver	$900 - $3,000	Cost is determined by the neighbourhood and the number of bedrooms

Source: Educanada

Homestays

Homestay is a good option to cut down the cost of living in Canada. As per the Canadian Homestay Network, it costs around CA $400 - $850 per month (with a one-time fee of CA $200). However, with the hype of housing- full board, half board, bed and breakfast, or room stay, this cost will vary. Therefore, the budget is around CA$ 1200 - $1450 for the same.

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Food and Grocery Costs in Canada for Nepal Students

Depending on lifestyle, eating habits, and cooking skills, the cost of living in Canada can significantly vary.

If you decide to cook at home, then the monthly food and grocery costs will be around CA $240 - $480. However, this cost can be slightly higher in cities with high living costs like Toronto or Vancouver.
Eating out can cost you CA $10 - $25 per meal, for inexpensive restaurants
If you opt for on-campus meal plans, it will cost you between CA $3,000 - $5,500

How to Bring Down the Student Living Costs in 2025?

Consider the following to bring down the cost of living in 2025:

Choose home-cooked meals over eating out, it's considerably cheaper
Go for shared cooking to split the grocery cost
Make a shopping list to prevent impulse buying of groceries
Plan your meals and track your spending

How to Bring Down the Student Living Costs in 2025

Transportation Costs in Canada

The cost of public transportation in Canada is a relatively affordable option. The Canadian public transport is well-connected, safe, and clean for international students. The cost, however, depends on the city, travel pass, and mode of transport.

City	Cost in CA $(Monthly Pass)
Toronto	$156
Vancouver	$120
Montreal	$94
Ottawa	$122
Calgary	$112
Edmonton	$100
Winnipeg	$100

Source: The information has been taken from credible websites.

Here's a peek into other transport modes as well:

Transport Mode	Cost (in CAD)
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) Taxi 1 km	$4.50 $2.17
Owning a Car	$1,370 monthly (including $200 fuel cost)
Owning a Hybrid Bike	$380 - $490
Bike Renting Programme	$150 monthly

Source: The information has been taken from credible websites.

Healthcare Costs in Canada

Another factor impacting the cost of living in Canada for international students is healthcare. Healthcare is not universally free for international students, so you need to get insurance either through your institution, private providers, or provincial plans.

The average annual cost for health insurance is about CA $600 - $900 as per TimesHigherEducation. Although your study permit, province and age determine the healthcare. Read our blog on health insurance in Canada for more information.

Utility Costs in Canada

The utility bills for students in Canada are determined by their housing type, province, and personal usage. Toronto and Vancouver have a higher cost of living in Canada than Quebec and some Atlantic provinces.

Utility Type	Monthly Cost (in CAD)
Electricity	$50 - $150
Internet	$53 for WiFi internet connection $40 for Mobile with data
Water	$30 - $50
Gas	$30 - $100
Toiletries	$17
Total bill for 480 Square feet	$108 per person
Total bill for 900 Square feet	$165 for two people
Gym membership	$59

Source: The information has been taken from credible websites.

Clothing and Accessories Costs in Canada

The clothing and accessories cost depends on your taste, brand choices, location, climate, seasonal needs, and budget. However, the average cost ranges from CA $30 - $100 monthly.

Item	Cost (in CAD)
Jeans	$80 - $100
Sport Shoes	$120 - $150
T-shirt	$10 - $100
Sweater	$25 - $100
Winter Clothing	$80 - $150
Summer Dress	$60 - $80

Source: The information has been taken from credible websites.

Entertainment and Leisure Costs in Canada

To realistically calculate the cost of living in Canada, you need to budget for the cost of entertainment and leisure. Here's a simple breakdown of what to expect:

Activity	Average Cost (in CAD)
Movie Ticket	$14
Bowling	$6 per game
Concert Ticket	$70
Museum Entry Fee	$15
National Park Entry Fee	$10
Bar Drinks	$6
Coffee at Cafes	$4

Source: The information has been taken from credible websites.

City-wise Average Cost of Living in Canada

Finally, let's streamline the cost of living in Canada for international students by breaking it down city-wise. Here's a total monthly city-wise breakdown of living costs in Canada for international students:

City	Average Monthly Cost (in CAD)
Toronto	$2,500 - $3,000
Vancouver	$2,400 - $2,900
Montreal	$1,800 - $2,300
Calgary	$1,700 - $2,200
Ottawa	$1,600 - $2,100
Edmonton	$1,500 - $2,000
Winnipeg	$1,400 - $1,900
Halifax	$1,400 - $1,800
Quebec City	$1,300 - $1,700
Hamilton	$1,500 - $2,000

Note: These values are subject to changes based on the lifestyle, eating habits, and personal budget of students.

Tips to Save Money in Canada for Nepal Students in 2025

Here are some useful tips to keep your cost of living in Canada under budget:

Choose a house share or university residence to save on rent and utilities.
Live slightly away from city centres, where the rentals tend to cost less.
Prepare meals at home rather than going out to eat regularly.
Buy at affordable grocery stores such as No Frills, Walmart, and Costco.
Purchase groceries in bulk and find deals using apps such as Flipp.
Take public transportation and obtain student discount passes.
Walk or cycle short distances rather than using buses or taxis.
Purchase secondhand or e-books from websites such as Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace.
Use budgeting software such as Mint or Splitwise to monitor your expenditures each month.
Work part-time during semesters (a maximum of 20 hours/week) and full-time during holidays, according to Canadian immigration regulations.
Request student discounts at all software, restaurant, entertainment, and shopping establishments.
Opt for budget-friendly cell providers like Public Mobile or Chatr.
Cancel any unused subscriptions and split streaming services with housemates where possible.
Book tickets and plan travels in advance to obtain the best bargains.

Now, you can plan your studies in Canada with a strong understanding of the cost of living there. With our detailed breakdown of the monthly cost of living in Canada for international students, you can factor in the additional costs applicable beyond your tuition fees.

AECC experts are there with you every step of the way, from abroad counselling to visa guidance. Book your free consultation with us now!

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Cost of Living in Canada FAQs

Is the cost of living in Canada high?

The cost of living in Canada for international students is higher than in countries like Nepal. This cost further varies depending on the city or province. Toronto and Vancouver are more expensive than Quebec.

Is a monthly income of $5,000 considered sufficient in Canada?

The minimum monthly amount of living in Canada as an international student depends upon your location, lifestyle, spending habits, and total number of family members. For an individual living in one of the inexpensive regions of Canada, CA $5,000 can be considered enough.

What salary is considered comfortable for living in Canada?

The ideal of comfortable living is determined by the location and lifestyle. However, you can expect an expense of nearly CA $55,000 for a single person and CA $75,000 for two people living together annually. A three-person family can expect their annual cost of living in Canada to be CA $80,000.

Is living in Canada a worthwhile experience?

It depends on what you are looking for and your personal preferences. From a general point of view, Canada is a good place to live and settle down. It has good schools, universities, public transportation, and multicultural acceptance.

What is the average monthly rent in Canada?

The average monthly rent varies with location and type of accommodation. For instance, renting an apartment in a high-rise building will cost you CA $900 - $2,000 monthly. However, in Toronto and Vancouver, the range will be CA $900 - $3,000 as per Educanada.

About the author

AECC Nepal

AECC Nepal Meet the creative minds behind AECC Nepal's vibrant blog—your go-to resource for all things study abroad! Our talented team of writers crafts compelling articles that make your journey from classroom to international campus a breeze. We're here to demystify visas, decode scholarship options, and dive into diverse cultures. With a flair for making complex topics relatable, we're passionate about helping you unlock a world of possibilities. Trust us, if wanderlust had a syllabus, we'd be your favorite subject! Let AECC Nepal's blog be your study guide to a brighter, global future.

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Cost of Living in Canada for Nepal Students in 2025