Living Expenses in Canada for Indian Students: City-Wise Cost Breakdown 2025

Studying in Canada is a dream for thousands of Indian students every year, but understanding the living expenses there is crucial before making the move. While tuition fees are a major cost, your day-to-day spending plays an equally important role in shaping your overall budget. The cost of living varies widely depending on the city, lifestyle, and accommodation choices, making city-wise planning essential.

In this blog, we provide a detailed breakdown of expenses city-wise in Canada to help Indian students plan smarter, avoid financial stress, and enjoy a comfortable student life abroad.

 

Monthly Budget Overview for Students

On average, Indian students in Canada spend CAD 800 to CAD 1,500 per month on living expenses, excluding tuition fees. This monthly budget covers accommodation, food, transportation, utilities, and personal expenses.

Here’s a quick snapshot of an average student budget:

• Accommodation: CAD 400 – 900

• Food and groceries: CAD 250-400

• Transportation: CAD 80 - 150

• Utilities & internet: CAD 50 – 100

• Personal & Miscellaneous: CAD 100 – 200

 

Your actual expenditures would differ based on the location and the type of accommodations, such as university housing, sharing, or an apartment.

 

Expense Breakdown: Rent, Food, Travel, Utilities

 

Rent

Rent constitutes the main part of the living expenses of Indian students in Canada. Shared accommodations are the cheapest form of accommodation, especially when one considers the cost of accommodations in large cities.

 Campus accommodation offers the most convenient form of accommodations but at a rather expensive cost, which could be higher than the cost of shared accommodations offered off campus.

Food

Home cooking can cut down the cost of living in Canada as a student. Indian grocery stores are common in most cities, which makes it easy to control food expenditures without having to do without a healthy diet.

Travel

Students are given reduced rates on public transportation passes. The cities of Toronto, Vancouver, and other urban areas provide monthly passes to students.

Utilities

Utilities Services like electricity, heating, water, internet, and cellular phone service are usually partially paid for through the rent, especially when it comes to apartment living.

 

City-Wise Comparison (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Halifax)

 

Toront

Toronto is Canada’s biggest city and also one of the most expensive.

Average monthly expenses: CAD 1,400 – 1,600

Why expensive: High rent and transportation costs

Best for: Finding a part-time job to gain experience

 

Vancouver

Vancouver’s natural beauty has its own set of high costs.

Average monthly cost: CAD 1,300 - 1,500

Major expense: Rent

Tip: In sharing accommodation, it is vital to manage the cost of accommodation

 

Calgary

The cost of living in Calgary is moderate.

Average Monthly Price: CAD 1,000 – 1,200

 Advantage: Lower rent and no provincial sales tax

Best suited for: Students looking for affordability coupled with urban facilities

Montreal

One of the most budget-friendly major cities in Canada is Montreal.

Average Monthly Cost: CAD 900-CAD 1,100

Why cheaper: Rent is cheaper, the cost of food is also low

Bonus: Rich cultural and student-friendly environment

 

Halifax

Halifax is also gaining popularity among international students.

Average monthly expenses: CAD 800 – 1,000

Best for: Affordable housing and a peaceful lifestyle

Good for: Budget consious Indian students

 

Cheapest Cities for Indian Students

If you want to keep costs low in Canada as a student, then some of the most affordable cities to move to are Montreal, Halifax, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, or Regina. These are some of the most budget-friendly Canadian cities when it comes to rent, transportation, and part-time work, making these destinations perfect for Indian students with budget constraints.

How Currency Fluctuation Impacts Budget

The currency exchange rates have a direct impact on the cost of living in Canada for Indian students. If the value of the Indian Rupee falls in relation to the value of the Canadian Dollar, the cost of living for Indian students in Canada goes up. It can be managed in a planned manner, with a contingency, through international bank accounts for students, at favourable currency exchange rates.

This is a basic example of a monthly budget plan that Indian students in Canada can use:

Rent: CAD ______

Food and groceries: CAD ___________

"Transportation": CAD

Utilities & internet: CAD

Phone & subscriptions: CAD ______

Personal expenses: CAD ______

Emergency savings: CAD ____

Keeping a written or electronic budget can ensure spending amounts are controlled within the allocated monthly limits.

 

Conclusion

Understanding the cost of living in Canada for Indian students is essential for a stress-free educational experience in the country. Even if one considers Toronto or Vancouver to be costlier, there are other economical options like Montreal or Halifax, where Indian students can have a fantastic experience in Canada within a budget.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much monthly budget is enough in Canada?

A monthly budget of CAD 900–1,500 is sufficient to sustain most Indian students in most cities.

 

Which city is cheapest for Indian students?

Some of the most affordable cities for Indian students in Canada include Montreal and Halifax.

 

 Is Toronto too expensive for students?

 Toronto is expensive, but it is possible for students to get by with shared accommodation and careful budgeting.

 

How do students reduce rent costs?

Some students save money on the cost of rent by living in shared apartments, moving to suburban areas of town, or residing on campus in dorms.