Housing is typically the largest expense for international students in Canada after tuition. Finding safe, affordable accommodation near your campus is essential for your academic success and financial health. The comparison below looks at your housing options, provides average costs by city, and gives practical advice for finding the best accommodation as an international student.
On-Campus Residence: Pros and Cons
Advantages of On-Campus
Convenient location, all-inclusive pricing covering utilities and often meals, built-in social community, safe and supported environment for first-year students, no separate lease required, and proximity to campus resources.
Disadvantages of On-Campus
Usually more expensive than off-campus, limited availability (most schools guarantee only first-year students), meal plans may be mandatory adding cost, less privacy, and noisy environments during exam periods.
Average On-Campus Residence Costs
Toronto (Seneca, Humber, George Brown, UofT)
On-campus residence: $1,200 to $1,800 per month including utilities. University of Toronto residence with meal plan can exceed $2,000 per month.
Vancouver (UBC, SFU, BCIT)
On-campus residence: $1,100 to $1,700 per month. Vancouver housing costs are among the highest in North America. On-campus is often better value than off-campus in Vancouver.
Smaller Cities (Waterloo, London, Halifax)
On-campus residence: $800 to $1,300 per month. Significantly lower costs than major city campuses. Strong reason to consider smaller cities.
Off-Campus Housing Options
Shared Houses and Apartments
Renting a room in a shared house or apartment is typically the most affordable option. Monthly costs including utilities range from $600 to $1,200 in smaller cities and $900 to $1,600 in Toronto or Vancouver.
Homestays
Living with a Canadian family. Typically includes a private room and some meals. Cost: $800 to $1,400 per month. Excellent for language improvement and cultural immersion. Recommended for first-semester students unfamiliar with Canada.
Student-Specific Apartments
Purpose-built student housing near major campuses. Fully furnished, utilities included, flexible leases aligned with academic year. More expensive than shared housing but more convenient. Cost: $1,200 to $2,000 per month.
Best Platforms to Find Student Housing
The most popular platforms for finding student housing in Canada are Facebook Marketplace (search your city and university), Kijiji.ca, Rentals.ca, PadMapper, and university-specific Facebook groups for housing. Many universities also have off-campus housing boards or housing offices that list verified landlords near campus.
Safety tip for international students: Never send money, pay deposits, or sign leases for housing you have not seen in person or verified through a video call with the actual landlord. Housing scams targeting international students are unfortunately common. Always verify the listing and the landlord before paying anything.
Written and reviewed by the GuideCAN Editorial Team
Editorially reviewed for clarity, practical usefulness and alignment with the official starting points listed below.
Official sources
Official rules, fees, deadlines and program availability can change. Confirm the current details before acting.