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Vancouver is a city in Canada and the most populous city in the province of Canada. Vancouver is the ideal destination for international students due to its education, health care and attractions. The average cost of living in Canada will cost CA$2,143 per month. The cost of living will depend on your lifestyle, etc.
Is Vancouver an expensive city?
Vancouver is known to be an expensive city in Canada. However, if you compare it to other cities in the world, Vancouver is an affordable city. In terms of accommodation, you will find a wide range of housing, ranging from student housing, university halls and private ones. Student accommodation in Vancouver are designed to make it affordable for students to stay.
For instance, if you stay in the city centre, it will be slightly more expensive than staying outside the city centre.
Before we list the details of the cost of living in Vancouver, let’s summarize its cost.
| Expenses | Cost (Average) |
| Average Tuition Fees | CA$15,000 – CA$40,000 / Year |
| Accommodation | CA$1,152 – CA$2,541 / Month |
| Transportation | CA$162 / Month |
Costs of Tuition Fees
The cost of tuition fees is different for all courses and universities. Your fees will depend upon the type of course and university you choose to study in Vancouver. Below is the cost of undergraduate and postgraduate fees. But, this is only an average cost, check with your universities at the time of your application.
| Undergraduate Tuition Fee | Post-Graduate Tuition Fee |
| CA$15,000 – CA$35,000 / Year | CA$20,000 – CA$40,000 / Year |
Student Accommodation Costs
Vancouver is more affordable than Montreal, Toronto, Sydney, and New York. It’s ranked as the third least affordable city in the world.
There are many types of student accommodation available in Vancouver. They range from luxurious to affordable ones. You will find homestays, on-campus accommodation, and student housing.
1. Student Housing
Student housing is designed to meet the student’s needs and requirements in finding the right accommodation. It is an ideal type of accommodation for students who are looking for private rooms in Vancouver. The rooms are furnished, have a living space and have modern amenities.
Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are upto 20 miles.
| Student Housing | Price |
| Ensuite/ Studio | CA$1,152 – CA$1,517 / Month |
2. Private Apartment
The private apartment offers rented spaces for students in Vancouver. There are different types of apartments available for students. One can choose from depending upon requirements, you can take the whole apartment or you can share it with friends.
| Apartment | Price |
| Private | CA$2,136 – CA$2,541 / Month |
3. University Halls
The university halls also known as residence halls are on-site accommodations. It is provided to students who study at the university. There is a limited number of rooms in this type of accommodation.
| University Hall | Price |
| Ensuite/ Studio | CA$ 1530 / Month |
4. Food
The prices of a meal can vary in Vancouver as it depends on where you eat and what you eat! For instance, a McDonalds meal will cost CA$12/per meal and CA$ 162 per week. It’s advisable to cook meals at home, buy a monthly grocery and save your budget.
5. Utility Bills
The utility bills include gas, electricity, cooling, heating, etc. If you choose to stay in student housing, the bills are inclusive. As for university halls, you have to check with the university policies.
6. Transportation
The public transportation in Vancouver is convenient and efficient. There’s the trans link system which includes the bus, ferry, and train.
