2026-2027 rates: five options to compare
Amounts are in Canadian dollars and per person. This table presents a sample of three universities, not a national average or a ranking. Calculated figures do not replace an offer or an invoice.
| University and residence | Room type | Length | Price for the period | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Université Laval | Single, full-time student | 8 months | $3,544, calculated at $443 per month | Food to be added |
| McGill — Gardner | Single | 8.45 months | $18,937.50, calculated using the listed fees | Meal plan included in the calculation |
| University of Ottawa — traditional residences | Shared | 8 months | $16,403, published total | Five-day meal plan included |
| University of Ottawa — traditional residences | Single | 8 months | $18,733, published total | Five-day meal plan included |
| University of Ottawa — 45 Mann | Room in a four-bedroom apartment | 12 months | $16,600 | Meal plan optional; food to be budgeted for |
One difference stands out: the Laval amount is rent without food, whereas the totals for Ottawa’s traditional residences include a meal plan. The 45 Mann option covers four more months. Compare the lengths of stay and the services included before concluding that one option costs less.
Université Laval: start with a monthly rent
In Québec City, Université Laval lists $443 per month for a full-time student, from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. Its usual lease covers September to April: at this rate, the eight-month calculation gives $3,544 in rent.
The room is furnished and single; bathrooms and showers are nearby on the floors. Bedding is not included: you can plan to bring it, rent it or buy it.
To compare this option with a residence that includes meals, add your estimated food costs and setup purchases. If your stay continues beyond April, consider the summer period separately: the eight-month calculation does not represent a full year of housing.
McGill: add meals and related fees
In Montréal, Gardner lists $1,450 per month for a single room. The contract used here runs from August 20, 2026, to May 2, 2027, or 8.45 months according to McGill’s fee schedule.
The table’s base figure is calculated by multiplying the monthly rent by 8.45, then adding the mandatory $6,150 meal plan, $500 for oneCard Flex and the $35 activity fee. The result is $18,937.50. This is a calculation based on the listed components, not an invoice; other expenses may be added.
Gardner is part of the Upper Residences. For this group, rent includes heating, electricity, Internet and use of the laundry facilities, among other things. Do not assume that the same services are included in all McGill residences: check the description of the building you are considering.
University of Ottawa: shared or single room?
For Leblanc, Stanton, Marchand and Thompson, the published totals for 2026-2027 are $16,403 for a shared room and $18,733 for a single room, per person, for eight months. Both use the five-day meal plan. The difference between these two arrangements is therefore $2,330 for the period shown.
A meal plan is mandatory in these residences, but the five-day plan is not the only option: the Leblanc information page also describes a seven-day choice. Check the price and conditions of the option you choose, as well as which meals you will need to cover outside the plan.
At 45 Mann, $16,600 is for a room in a four-bedroom apartment, not the entire apartment. The contract shown for 2026-2027 covers twelve months, and the meal plan is optional. The building information page consulted indicates that it is reserved for students in their second year or higher: check the conditions that apply to your cohort.
A separate reference point for 2027-2028
Do not automatically carry over the previous year’s prices. For 2027-2028, Thompson in Ottawa lists totals of $16,863 for a shared room and $19,355 for a single room, per person, for eight months with the five-day meal plan.
These figures are useful if you are planning for that academic year, but they apply to Thompson and the option specified. They do not allow you to predict the rate at another institution or for another meal plan. Ask for the exact dates and the amount corresponding to your offer.
Build a comparable budget
For each offer, record the following on the same line:
- The room and period: single or shared, move-in and move-out dates, and number of months covered.
- Meals: mandatory or optional plan, days covered and food costs that remain your responsibility.
- Services: furniture, Internet, laundry and other items included in the specific building.
- Amounts to budget for: related fees, personal purchases and payment deadlines.
A single room gives you a private sleeping space, but does not necessarily mean that the bathroom is private. In an apartment, also ask which spaces are shared.
Distinguish the contract cost from the amount you need to pay upfront. In Ottawa, the $950 reservation deposit is deducted from residence fees: do not add it to the total a second time. Before committing, read the payment and cancellation terms in your offer and check what happens if your stay changes.
Continue comparing universities
Housing is one factor in choosing an institution, but it does not sum up your study plans. The StudyCanada profiles for Université Laval, McGill University and the University of Ottawa can help you continue your research.
For a residence offer, check the campus, commute, conditions and availability with the relevant office. A university profile does not guarantee admission or a room.