Cost of Living in Canada for Indian Students 2026
Talk to Expert
So you are considering Canada for your higher studies in 2026, and you are here to get an idea about the living expenses. Well, this is the right approach to plan for your higher studies in Canadian universities. The cost of living in Canada is more expensive than in India, but more affordable than in the USA or the UK.
As an Indian student who wants to study in Canada, you must do good financial planning to cover the expenses. Accommodation, grocery, and health insurance expenses are the top factors that affect the overall living cost in Canada.
Also, at the time of applying for the Canada student visa, IRCC asks for proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses. You need to show that you have enough amount as GIC. In this article, we will give you an overview of living expenses in Canada and other relevant information about the topic.
- Living Cost in Canada for Indian Students in 2026
- Cost of Studying in Canada
- How Much Money is Required to Study in Canada
- City-Wise Cost of Living in Canada
- Scholarships to Study in Canada
Living Cost in Canada for Indian Students in 2026
According to Numbeo, an Indian student needs INR 94,020 per month to cover the monthly expenses in Canada. This amount does not include house rent. It varies from place to place. Students need medical and hospital insurance, as healthcare in Canada is very expensive. Public health insurance plans in Canada are administered independently in each province. Some universities require compulsory insurance coverage. The coverage should be secured within the first week after arrival.
In short, an Indian student planning to study in Canada in 2026 should budget between INR 20 and 24 lakhs per year to cover expenses, including accommodation.
| Particulars |
Average Monthly Expenditure (in CAD) |
Monthly Living Expenses in Canada (INR) Approximately* |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Rent (1 Bedroom Apartment) |
1,590 to 1,827 |
1.04 to 1.19 Lakhs |
| Food Expenses (Grocery) |
300 to 500 |
19,650 to 32,750 |
| Public Transportation (Monthly Pass) |
105 |
6,875 |
| Phone and Internet (Mobile + Broadband) |
145 |
9,500 |
| Clothing |
75 to 150 |
4,900 to 9,800 |
| Health Expenses (Non-insured visits) |
60 to 100 |
3,900 to 6,550 |
| Fitness & Leisure (Gym, Cinema) |
75 |
4,900 |
| Utilities (Electricity/Heating/Water) |
211 |
13,800 |
| TOTAL Estimated Monthly Cost |
2,561 to 3,113 |
1.67 to 2.03 Lakhs |
*Exchange rate used: 1 CAD = 65.50 INR.
Cost of Studying in Canada
Your actual cost of living depends entirely on where you want to study. A student renting a shared room in downtown Toronto will pay double what a student pays in a smaller city like Winnipeg.
What is Exact Amount You Need?
Canadian government (IRCC) currently estimates that a single student needs approximately CAD 22,895 per year. This is just cost of living in Canada. This is why your GIC amount is set to this figure. It is the minimum safety net to cover your rent, groceries, and transport for one year.
Rent is your biggest expense. To save money, most Indian students choose "off-campus shared housing".
Here is a realistic breakdown of your total first-year costs:
| Type of Expense | Cost in CAD | Cost in INR (Approx)* |
|---|---|---|
| Test Fee (IELTS, GRE, etc.) |
280 to 371 | 18,340 to 24,300 |
| 22,895 | 15.00 Lakhs | |
| Tuition Fees (1 Year) |
15,700 to 53,500 | 10.28 Lakhs to 35.04 Lakhs |
| Student Visa Fee of Canada |
150 | 9,825 |
| 39,025 to 76,916 | 25.56 Lakhs to 50.38 Lakhs |
*Exchange rate used: 1 CAD = 65.50 INR.
Related Blog: What is Student Accommodation?
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
How Much Money is Required to Study in Canada
Now that students are aware of the approximate living cost in Canada for international students, let us look at how much money is required to study in Canada from the perspective of the funds that you need to provide while applying for a Canada student visa. The minimum bank balance for Canadian student visa depends on whether a student studies outside of Quebec or in Quebec. The tables given below provide the details of both:
Minimum Bank Balance for Canada Student Visa (outside Quebec):
| Person |
Funds Required Annually (Excluding Tuition fee) - Outside Quebec |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant |
CAD 22,895 |
| With the First family member |
CAD 28,502 |
| With 2 Other Members |
CAD 35,040 |
City-Wise Cost of Living in Canada
As mentioned earlier, the living expenses in Canada are not the same for every city. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive Canadian cities, where most top universities are located. Smaller cities like Quebec and Saskatchewan are the least expensive. Here, we have mentioned some insights related to the cost of living in Canada per month. This table will give you an idea of how much money you need to manage your living expenses in Canada. However, this amount excludes the house rent as it varies from place to place.
| Canadian Cities | Monthly Cost of Living (Excluding Rent) in CAD |
Average Rent (1 Bed - Outside Centre) in CAD |
Total Estimated Monthly Cost (Living + Rent) in CAD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 1,610 | 2,378 | 3,988 |
| Toronto | 1,516 | 2,152 | 3,668 |
| Ottawa | 1,524 | 1,779 | 3,303 |
| Calgary | 1,592 | 1,640 | 3,232 |
| Montreal | 1,325 | 1,340 | 2,665 |
Source: Numbeo
Big City Life vs. Suburban Areas
Like anywhere in the world, living costs in urban centres are more than those in the suburbs. Many students prefer on-campus housing much more, which may not be the lowest-cost option, but is more convenient. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive cities to live in, and with the shortage of affordable housing in Toronto, costs are the highest there and still continue to rise. The cost of living in Toronto for international students is INR 95,426 (Without Rent). This depends mainly on your accommodation. The table given below provides the cost of living in Toronto for international students.
| Head |
Cost of Living in Canada in CAD Per Month |
|---|---|
| Rent |
1,900 to 2,600 |
| Utility Expenses | 230 |
| Tenant Insurance |
30 |
| Food & Grocery |
400 |
| Clothing & Shoes |
100 |
| Transport |
105 |
| Entertainment |
100 |
| Total |
2800 to 3500 |
Source: Numbeo
Scholarships to Study in Canada
Indian students may be eligible for a scholarship, fellowship, or grant to study in Canada. The Government of Canada, our provinces and territories, and many educational institutions offer funds for international students. Many colleges and universities in Canada offer scholarships to students to manage their studies and living expenses. For more information about scholarships in Canada, you can visit the link. Students may also apply to colleges in Canada without application fees to reduce their costs.
Now that students are aware of the living costs in Canada for international students, they must apply for scholarships and look for part-time work to reduce their costs. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
For every Indian student, Canada student visa fee is CAD 150. Other than this, they need to pay a biometrics fee, which is CAD 85. In short, the total fee is CAD 235.
Humber College Canada requires international students to apply through the international college portal and view the programme and term in take availability as the admissions are offered based on programme space availability. Every programme has its own requirements and eligibility criteria. International students are also required to submit English Language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo. Humber College application deadline is Feb 01,2026 for equal consideration. Post this date, admissions are offered on the space basis available. Therefore, students are required to apply as early as possible.
Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.
Starting research
Shortlisting colleges
Exam preparation
SOP/LOR writing
Scholarship & finance
Visa application
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
Comments
(104)
A
a year ago
a year ago
p
a year ago
K
2 years ago
A
2 years ago
P
2 years ago
A
2 years ago
Hello. You may go for a CS course in Canada; however, you will have to justify this transition to the admissions committee as well as during your student visa application. You may refer to the link for an SOP for course change: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/writing-sop-for-course-change-applycont
R
2 years ago
A
2 years ago
Hi. You can expect to pay at least CAD 30,000 per year and tuition costs for psychology courses in Canada. You may refer to the following link: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/psychology-courses-in-canada-articlepage-121781
You need to keep a budget of INR 1 Lacs per month just to cover living expenses. This amount excludes house rent. It totally depends on where you actually live. If you live in an urban area, house rent will be expensive.