Student Expenses Canada 2025 | Cost of Food, Transport & Accommodation

Are you planning to study in Canada in 2026? One of the biggest areas you'll have to budget for is student expenses like the cost of food, transportation, accommodation, and utilities. Whether you are an international student or relocating within the country, understanding the realistic cost of living in Canada may help you to manage your finances wisely, avoiding surprises.

In this blog, we will go through the updated price trends for 2026 and see the average cost students usually spend monthly on food, transport, rent, utilities, and many more, but also provide a handy monthly cost calculator sheet to help you with budgeting.

 

Updated 2025 Price Trends

Living costs in Canada are affected by inflation, the demand for housing, and the size of the city. Large metropolitan cities such as Toronto and Vancouver are more expensive to rent and for daily living compared with smaller cities like Winnipeg or Halifax. Overall, a student budget normally ranges from CAD 1,200 to CAD 3,000+ per month, depending on lifestyle and location.

The major expenses include food, transport, housing, utilities, and phone/internet, which are all essential for a comfortable living condition for the students.

Food Costs: Groceries vs Eating Out

One of the big expenses for students is food, where most of one’s money is spent. Eating or ordering is a big factor in a student's budget.

Groceries

On average, most students spend around CAD 200 to 500 per month on grocery shopping if they prepare their own food. You can still manage to keep the expenses within budget by doing the shopping at local grocery stores such as No Frills, Walmart, and other ethnic stores.

A common grocery bill may include:

• Milk(1L): ~2.60 CAD

• Rice (1 kg): CAD 5.00

• 1 dozen eggs: ≈ CAD 4.

• Chicken breast (1 kg): Approximately CAD 14.00

• Vegetables and fruits (varied)

Cooking at home, not only will these meals cut costs, but you will also get control over your nutrients, most importantly when you are amidst your examination season.

 

Eating Out

Eating out contributes a lot to your food expenses. At cheap restaurants, expect to pay between CAD 10 and 25 per meal. If the restaurant is moderate, a meal will be slightly higher.

Tip: Student discounts and meal plans on campus (if available) can help towards cutting down food costs for Canadian students.

 

Transportation Options & Monthly Pass Prices

The cost of transportation for Canada students is dependent on the city and the mode of transport that the students use.

Public Transport

In Canada, public transportation is widespread, ranging from buses to trams, subways, and light railway systems, which offer discounted passes to students every month.

The monthly transit pass will provide you with unlimited transportation, which is much cheaper if you calculate the cost of each transportation service. Most universities are partnered by transportation services to offer discounts on transportation passes for students.

 

Other Options

Cycling/Walking: For students who live near campus or live in cities that are bicycle-friendly.

Ride-sharing & Taxis: Helpful in travelling, but relatively expensive compared to public transport.

Car: Having a car comes along with additional expenses, which aren't very economical for a student. It includes fuel, servicing, and insurance costs. 

On average, you can expect the cost of transportation for Canadian students to be between 80 to 150 Canadian Dollars per month using public transport

Rent & Housing Costs by Province

Accommodation is usually the highest component in costs for students in Canada 2026.

 

On-Campus Housing

Dorms and residence halls provide good locations but usually cost for semester or annual periods:

CAD 600 – 1,200+ per month, depending on the type of room and amenities

It is closer to classes, resulting in the usage of utilities, which are limited in larger institutions.

 

Off-Campus Housing

Rental rates for apartment or shared accommodation off campus vary based on the size of the city and location:

• Shared apartments: CAD 500 - 1,500 +

• One-bedroom apartment: CAD 1,200 –

• Homestay: CAD 800 to 1,200+ per month, including meals for some homestays

Larger cities such as Vancouver and Toronto are on the expensive side, whereas the smaller cities provide more budget-friendly solutions. Sharing accommodations with roommates helps cut down the expenses to a great extent.

 

Managing Utilities & Phone Bills

Once you get off campus, these accounts will be your responsibility to manage. Here is what your expenses might look like:

Utilities

If not paid as rent, the following utility bills may incur the following costs:

 Electricity

$60 to $150 per month (depending on the season, especially during winter)

Internet and Phone Services

Staying in touch is important for Studies:

• INTERNET: CAD 50 - 100/month

• Mobile phone plan: CAD 40-80 monthly

 

Conclusion

It is important to understand the costs if you are a student planning to move to Canada in 2026. From food to transportation cost everything matters for students in Canada. Living costs include accommodation and other expenditures like telephone bills. Using effective strategies like smart accommodation choices and food choices, it is possible to handle this issue easily.

Canada provides  good quality of life and very good educational facilities. With a good understanding of the real cost involved, you'll be ready to take advantage of the experience offered in Canada.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is LANGUAGECERT officially approved by UKVI?

Yes, the LanguageCert exam is officially approved for certain visa types by UKVI.

 

Is LANGUAGECERT valid for student visa?

Yes, LANGUAGECERT is a valid option for a student visa if you pick an approved SELT exam. 

 

Is SELT compulsory for UK visa?

Yes, for a lot of UK visas, SELT is a mandatory process. 

 

How can I confirm UKVI approval?

You can verify approval with UKVI by checking the list of SELT Providers issued by the UK Government via their website.