Student Monthly Budget: Comparing Eight Canadian Cities with a Roommate

A consistent comparison, not an observed budget

For each city, we imagine one person sharing a two-bedroom apartment equally with a roommate. We start with the average monthly asking rent for the entire unit in the second quarter of 2026, published by Statistics Canada, then divide it by two.

These experimental data cover census metropolitan areas, not just university neighbourhoods. They measure asking rents, not the rents students actually pay. Half the rent for an entire apartment also does not correspond to the average price of a room rented separately.

We add the same monthly basket per person everywhere:

This basket is an editorial assumption, not an official average or a survey of local prices. It makes it possible to isolate the effect of housing in the table. It excludes tuition, health insurance, books, moving costs and travel, among other things. Since what is included can vary from one rent to another, the uniform utilities allowance does not account for all differences between homes.

The eight-city table

Calculation: half the asking rent for a two-bedroom apartment + hypothetical $910 basket. Rents are for the second quarter of 2026 and were published on September 9, 2026.

The $570 per month difference between Vancouver and Calgary comes entirely from housing in this scenario. It does not show that groceries or transportation cost the same in both cities. This table compares scenarios; it is not a general ranking of the most affordable cities.

To make a decision, look for listings that match your dates and campus. An available home, its inclusions and your commute will tell you more about your situation than a regional average.

Montréal and Québec City: choosing the right type of housing

In Montréal, the scenario’s $1,820 includes a theoretical rent share of $910. In Québec City, the total is $1,640, including $730 for housing. In both cases, you still need to check whether the listings you are considering include heating, electricity or internet: an expense included in the rent should not be added a second time.

For Québec City, Université Laval offers another reference point: for 2026-2027, it estimates housing costs at $5,400 to $9,640 per year in a modest budget. This range combines a room in residence and an off-campus shared rental. It therefore does not describe the same type of accommodation as the average for entire apartments used in our table.

If you are considering both residence and shared accommodation, calculate each separately. Note the amount you would personally pay, the contract length and what is included. One option may seem less expensive per month while covering a different period.

Ottawa and Toronto: account for campus and transportation

In Ottawa, the scenario includes $100 per month for transportation. However, Carleton University says the U-Pass is included in the fees of eligible students. This does not mean transportation is free: the cost is charged another way. Check your eligibility and the period covered, then adjust your budget to avoid counting the same expense twice.

In Toronto, the University of Toronto gives a housing estimate of $1,220 to $2,700 per month in the Greater Toronto Area for 2026. This range covers different housing situations; it is not an average for rooms in shared accommodation and does not guarantee a place at a particular price.

In both cities, compare the housing address with the campus where you will study. A lower listed rent should be considered alongside the commute time and the transportation costs it involves.

Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax and Winnipeg: check what is included

For Vancouver and Calgary, the totals in the table offer a common starting point, but they do not replace the available listings. Ask for the total rent, the number of occupants, the lease term and the share you would be responsible for.

In Halifax, Dalhousie University recommends checking which services are included in the rent and which need to be arranged separately. Confirm utilities and internet before comparing two listings: the listed rent does not always tell the whole story.

In Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba estimates housing and utilities at $9,540–$19,070 for twelve months in a very modest budget; the minimum assumes shared accommodation. The reference year is not specified. Use this figure with caution, without assuming a place will be available at the lowest amount.

Groceries, phone and transportation: replace the assumptions

The scenario’s $450 for groceries is a starting allowance. For context, Université Laval budgets $6,160 per year for 2026-2027, or about $513 per month if spread over twelve months. Your habits and meals purchased outside the home can change your own calculation.

For your phone, compare the price you will pay after any promotion, the length of the commitment and associated fees. Distinguish an individual mobile plan from the home internet service, which may be included or shared among roommates.

For transportation, the scenario’s $100 does not correspond to a specific local pass. In Montréal, the ARTM fare schedule consulted lists $66 for a monthly All Modes A pass at the student fare for ages 18 and over, subject to eligibility. Check that the zone covers your trip and that the fare still applies.

If this pass suits your situation and nothing else changes, replace the $100 allowance with $66: the Montréal scenario then goes from $1,820 to $1,786 per month. Replace the allowance; do not add it to the pass price.

From scenario to your budget

Add the expenses missing from the table: tuition, books, health insurance, moving costs and travel. Also look at payment dates. Spreading an amount over twelve months can help with planning, even if the bill is due on a different schedule.

For example, Carleton lists an individual UHIP premium of $948 for the period from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027. This represents an allowance of $79 per month for those concerned, not a universal insurance rate. Canadian and international students should review the coverage and fees that apply to their own situation.

For each city you are still considering, fill out this short checklist:

Keep a contingency for possible variations without using it to conceal an expense you already know about. Finally, distinguish your personal budget from any financial evidence required as part of an international study process: they do not answer the same question. The table helps you compare; your listings and applicable fees help you decide.