We recently took a look at some of Canada’s most expensive cities. Places like Vancouver and Toronto may have some of the best universities and colleges in the country, but they can stretch the average student budget. Fortunately, there are many cities in Canada that are not only affordable, but are also home to some really great schools. If you’re looking to save money while you study, you may want to consider living in one of the five cities listed below! They’re some of the most affordable cities in Canada for international students.
*All data provided by RentBoard and Salary Expert.
Balance your student budget with these strategies for students in Canada.
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5. St. Catharines, Ontario
The fifth most affordable city on our list is St. Catharines, Ontario, the largest city in Canada’s famed Niagara Region. St. Catharines boasts a cost of living that is 0.5% below the national average, and the average monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment is C$1,314. St. Catharines is known as “The Garden City” thanks to its 1,000 acres of gardens, parks, and trails. It’s also just a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls!
Where you should study in St. Catharines: Brock University
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4. Abbotsford, British Columbia
With Vancouver’s extremely high cost of living, British Columbia is generally thought to be an expensive province to call home. However, Canada’s westernmost province is home to some cities that are budget-friendly for students. If you’d like to be near Vancouver, one of the most affordable is Abbotsford, which is the largest city by area in BC. Abbotsford’s cost of living is 3.6% below the national average, which makes it the cheapest large city in BC. International students will also find one of Canada’s most diverse populations—Abbotsford has the third-highest proportion of visible minorities in the country.
Where you should study in Abbotsford: University of the Fraser Valley, Western Community College – Abbotsford
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3. Moncton, New Brunswick
Despite being the largest city in New Brunswick, Moncton is actually one of the province’s most affordable places to live. The cost of living is 6.3% below the national average, with a one-bedroom apartment costing an average of C$835 per month. Like many of Canada’s east coast cities, Moncton is a welcoming place for international students, and the region has seen a large influx of students from other countries in recent years.
Where you should study in Moncton: Crandall University, McKenzie College, New Brunswick Community College – Moncton
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2. Laval, Quebec
In general, students can save quite a bit of money by studying in Quebec. Not only does Quebec have some of the lowest tuition fees in Canada, but many cities are also cheaper than the national average. Outside of Montreal, most classes are taught in French, so this is a great option for students with strong French-language skills or who are from French-speaking countries.
Once in Quebec, students can maximize their savings by choosing a city that has lower living costs, such as Laval. Located just 30 km northwest of Montreal, Laval is one of Quebec’s larger cities and has a cost of living that is more than 9% below the national average.
Where you should study in Laval: where else but Université Laval, of course!
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1. Sherbrooke, Quebec
Topping the list of the most affordable cities in Canada for international students is Sherbrooke, Quebec. Located approximately 160 km east of Montréal, Sherbrooke is Quebec’s unofficial “student town.” With 40,000 students spread across eight institutions, Sherbrooke has the largest concentration of students in Quebec. The cost of living is 15.6% below the national average and it’s not uncommon to find one-bedroom apartments for well under C$800 per month.
Where you should study in Sherbrooke: Bishop’s University
We hope that this list has inspired you to look into these five great communities. From coast to coast (to coast!), Canada has a lot to offer international students.
Interested in studying in one of the most affordable student cities in Canada? Explore top schools on ApplyBoard!
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