Cost of Living in Canada for International Students from Nepal

What Are the Living Expenses in Canada for International Students?

Plan on about CAD 1,300 to 2,500 a month for rent, food, transport and phone, or about Rs 1.4 to 2.7 lakh, without tuition.

Your city and your room decide most of this. Students who share a room in a smaller city stay near the low end, while a private apartment in Toronto or Vancouver goes well past the top. To see how this fits your full plan, start with our guide to study in Canada from Nepal.

The table below uses two official university estimates, one for an expensive city and one for a cheaper city. We show them side by side so your family can see the real gap.

We worked out the Winnipeg monthly figures from its yearly estimate, which is for a very modest life. Health insurance is separate, and we cover it below.

How Much Is Rent in Each Canadian City?

Rent is your biggest cost, and a whole 2-bedroom apartment averages about CAD 1,346 in Montreal and CAD 2,363 in Vancouver.

These are average rents for a 2-bedroom unit in purpose-built rental buildings, from the CMHC 2025 rental market report. CMHC is Canada’s national housing agency. Most Nepali students share, so you would normally pay only part of these amounts.

New buildings and condos usually cost more than these averages. Our list of top cities to study in Canada helps you weigh rent against jobs and colleges. Montreal looks cheap, but Quebec has its own study rules and funds figure, so check those first.

Which Type of Housing Should a New Student Choose?

A shared room is the cheapest choice, while a residence or homestay is easier for your first few months.

• Shared apartment or house: this is what most students move to, since you split the rent and bills. Meet your roommates first, and read the lease before you sign it.
• Campus residence: it is close to class and often furnished. Spaces are limited, and some residences make you buy a meal plan.
• Homestay: you live with a local family, and meals may be included. It suits students arriving from Nepal who want support in the first term.
• Private studio or apartment: you get privacy, but you pay all the rent and bills alone. Few first-year students need this.

Before you rent, ask what is included. Heat, electricity, internet and tenant insurance can add a lot to a low rent. Never send a deposit from Nepal for a room you have not checked through your college or someone you trust.

How Much Do Food, Transport and Bills Cost?

Budget about CAD 320 to 350 or more a month for food, up to CAD 150 for transport, and about CAD 110 to 215 for internet and phone.

Food: cooking at home saves the most. Dal bhat costs far less when you cook it yourself, so learn a few meals before you leave Nepal. Many cities have South Asian shops for rice, lentils and spices.

Transport: ask your college whether a student bus pass is already in your fees. Living further out can lower your rent, but it can raise your travel time and cost, especially in winter. In Toronto, the TTC fares page shows what a monthly pass costs.

Phone and internet: sharing home internet with roommates brings this down. Compare student phone plans after you arrive, because many prices change often.

Other costs: the University of Toronto suggests about CAD 200 a month for fun and other spending, and CAD 550 a term for books. Books can cost much more in some programs.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Canada?

Health insurance depends on your province and college, and it is not always included in your fees.

As one example, the University of Manitoba lists CAD 1,320 a year for the provincial student health plan, plus about CAD 390 for the student union’s health and dental plan. Other provinces work very differently, and some give students public cover. Our guide to health insurance in Canada explains each province. Ask your college what is in your fees before you budget.

Your study permit is not a health card. Without cover, a hospital bill can be far more than your family planned for from Nepal. Dental and eye care are often limited even with a plan.

What One-Time Costs Do Students Forget?

The main one-time costs are winter clothes, a rent deposit, household items and books, so keep money aside for your first 2 or 3 months.

• Winter clothing: Toronto can fall to about -25°C, so you need a warm coat, boots and gloves. Buy most of these in Canada, where they suit the weather.
• Setting up a room: bedding, pots and plates add up. Student groups often sell these second-hand.
• First weeks: the University of Manitoba adds CAD 2,065 for settling costs in your first year.
• Emergency money: the University of Toronto suggests keeping CAD 550 aside.

Our guide to life as a Nepali student in Canada helps you prepare for the weather and the first weeks.

How Much Is 1 CAD in Nepali Rupees?

The CAD to Nepali rupee rate changes daily, so check today’s rate with our converter rather than trusting an old number.

Use our CAD to Rs forex converter before you plan a transfer. Your bank’s rate can also differ from the reference rate, and the bank may add its own charges. For planning, the amounts on this page are rounded:

• CAD 1,300 a month is about Rs 1.4 lakh.
• CAD 2,500 a month is about Rs 2.7 lakh.
• CAD 23,448 a year is about Rs 25 lakh.

A weaker rupee raises your family’s cost even when Canadian prices stay the same. That is why it helps to keep some extra room in your budget.

Is CAD 23,448 Enough for a Year in Canada?

It is the amount you must show for your study permit outside Quebec, and it fits a real budget only if you share a room in a cheaper city.

IRCC asks you to show CAD 23,448 for the first year, plus your tuition and travel, without counting any work in Canada. CAD 23,448 comes to just under CAD 2,000 a month. That is workable in Winnipeg or Edmonton, but it can be tight in Toronto or Vancouver.

Our page on proof of funds for a Canada student visa explains what to show. For the total cost to study in Canada from Nepal, including tuition, see our cost to study in Canada page. Our GIC guide explains one way to bring living money.

Can Part-Time Work Cover Your Living Costs?

Part-time work can cover a good part of your monthly costs, but it should not be your main plan.

You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term. At Ontario’s minimum wage of CAD 17.95, that is about CAD 1,860 a month before tax. Your real hours may be lower, especially at first. You also cannot start work until your program begins.

Our guide to part-time jobs in Canada shows what you can look for. If you want to know the limits, read whether students can work more than 24 hours.

How Can Nepali Students Lower Their Costs?

Choosing a cheaper city and sharing a room saves far more than any small daily habit.

• Pick your city early: rent can differ by CAD 1,000 a month. Compare colleges in Canada and universities in Canada by city too, not only by fees.
• Share your housing: splitting rent and bills is the biggest single saving.
• Cook at home: carry lunch to campus, and plan your meals for the week.
• Use what your fees cover: libraries, gyms, printing and bus passes may already be paid for.
• Buy second-hand: furniture, textbooks and winter clothes are often sold by other students.
• Look for funding: see our page on scholarships to study in Canada and our Canada study loan guide.

Keep your emergency savings separate, and track what you spend for your first 3 months. Our counselors at our 5 branches in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari and Pokhara can go through a budget with you and your parents. To start, book a counselling session.