Therefore, you might think about some of the possibilities below if you’re trying to find the best cheap student city in Canada for international students. This isn’t because their living costs are the lowest; you need also take into account the fact that, despite their potential high cost of living, these cities have higher average salaries for international students. In actuality, they are therefore less expensive to live in than the most expensive cities.
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is a clean, peaceful, and welcoming medium-sized city with a population of 350,000. It is also known as the City of Gardens and is ranked in the top 15 Friendliest Cities in the world. Located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, this well-known, year-round tourist destination is one of the greatest places to learn more about Canadian culture and offers an endless selection of sights and experiences.
Calgary, Alberta
For international students, Calgary offers a combination of top-notch educational institutions and leisure activities. It should come as no surprise that Calgary, Canada’s fourth-largest city, is also its most culturally diverse. The city is home to more than 200 ethnic groups, which fosters a friendly, global atmosphere. Calgary is the tenth most affordable city in North America, per Oxford Economics’ North American housing affordability study.
Furthermore, Alberta’s income tax rates are between the 10 and 15 percent brackets, whereas the federal tax bracket is between 25 and 48 percent. This means that even if you are in the minimal tax band, your yearly income is still 15% higher than that of other jurisdictions.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Despite being the biggest city in Saskatchewan, Saskatoon is not as popular with overseas students. Since Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s coldest and most isolated provinces, most international students have a hazy understanding of it. However, the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Polytechnic College are located in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon, which has a population of about 317,480, has historically relied on agriculture, oil, and potash for its economy. More recently, its digital media and information technology sectors have experienced rapid growth. When it comes to cost of living, Saskatoon is among the most economical big Canadian cities. As a result, Saskatoon students pay less for housing, bills, food, and taxes.
Regina, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan, Canada’s capital and second-biggest city is Regina. The city expanded quickly after World War II to become a major center for manufacturing, transportation, and distribution of a huge agricultural region. The city is easily accessible and has excellent connections to Regina International Airport and all major railroads, including the Trans-Canada Highway. Fertile plains and mineral resources, as well as the refining of potash, natural gas, oil, and food, sustain its economy.
The Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, commonly known as the largest wheat pool in the world, is based in Regina and is the largest grain handling corporation with partnerships throughout North America and abroad. The city has also begun to transform into an IT hub in recent years. Opportunities can be found in other well-liked industries in Saskatchewan, such as steel fabrication, the production of building materials, paints, communications equipment, and farm implements.
Additionally, Regina City is home to industries that are hiring heavily, including wholesale and retail, healthcare, agriculture, and education. The region will inevitably see growth in sales, skilled crafts, transportation operators, business, finance, and administration. Rent and other living expenses for a single individual come to about C$1,500 per month, which further decreases to C$1,200 per month for room sharing.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
The capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg, is situated close to the Canadian Prairies’ easternmost point. Winnipeg’s economy is rising at the third-fastest rate among Canada’s big cities. The city is a haven for foreign students and immigrants because to its cheap living expenses and poor rental income. The city continues to be a Canadian center for manufacturing and hospitality in spite of the severe winters. Red River College, the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology are all located there. As a result, the area has developed into a bustling student town that offers both natives and foreigners plenty of employment options.
Did you also know that over 35,000 people were employed by Winnipeg’s manufacturing companies in 2021? All businesses in Winnipeg benefit from clean, renewable hydroelectric power and the lowest energy expenses in North America.
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario
The Tri-Cities—Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge (KWC)—are located 100–120 kilometers (62–75 miles) southwest of Toronto. For those who commute every day, this is ideal. Living costs have increased around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) due to its constant expansion, and many are eager to work in Toronto in order to avoid the additional expenses of living. The Toronto-Waterloo Corridor is becoming one of the biggest IT clusters in North America after Silicon Valley, and people look forward to residing in the tri-city, which is about an hour’s drive from the GTA. The Toronto-Waterloo Corridor, also referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Canada,” is an exception to the rule that Canada does not provide as many tech-related opportunities as the United States.
The tri-city area is home to Google and offers a wealth of chances for techies who wish to relocate there, ranging from wearables to drones, smart marketing to space manufacturing. One of the best places to live and work is Kitchener, which has a healthy mix of green space and bustling downtown activities. For international students, the average monthly cost of living in Tri-City is C$1,275, while the average yearly salary is C$40,000.
Montreal, Quebec
With more than 11 universities and 60 institutions, Montréal, the French capital of Canada, is frequently named one of the greatest student towns in the world and a popular choice for international students. In addition to being the second largest city in Canada, it is renowned as the center of the arts, fashion, and technology, and it is home to one of the major video game industries globally, ranking among the top five.
In addition to being a Canadian powerhouse for the banking, cinema, television, oil refining, aerospace, and pharmaceutical industries, it has a thriving video game industry. With a cheap cost of living of about $1200 per month, the average yearly salary for international students working part-time in Montreal is approximately $33,200.
Moncton, New Brunswick
Known as “Atlantic’s Business Capital,” Moncton is a tiny city with a respectable population and many open jobs that has begun to draw a lot of immigrants and international students in recent years. It is home to well-known institutions with the most affordable tuition, including Crandall University, Mount Allison University, and New Brunswick Community College.
When it comes to quality of life, Moncton is a clear victor; it’s a vibrant city with a laid-back, well-balanced lifestyle and an active, accepting society. The commutes to work and school are short for the students here.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
The most university campuses are found in Halifax, Nova Scotia’s largest and most famous city. Students make up 25% of Halifax’s population because of the city’s reputable universities and cheaper tuition. Because of the large student population, most of the Halifax area is already reasonably priced, whether it be for food, beverages, or clothing. With every graduating class, Halifax offers tech companies a consistent supply of fresh employees and is a vibrant place for start-ups.
Halifax’s education and employment sectors have been expanding steadily, welcoming thousands of new residents and ensuring that the city’s population will reach half a million within the next five years.
Kelowna, BC; Edmonton, AB; Moose Jaw, Regina; Brantford, MB; Oshawa, ON; Windsor, ON; Laval, QC; Fredericton, NB; St John, NF; and Charlottetown, PEI are more cities to keep an eye on in addition to the ones listed above. In addition to providing excellent employment and settlement options, these places make it simpler to get accepted and receive an early acceptance when you apply to begin your studies in Canada.
