Though Canada does not have economic clout internationally, the cost of living in Canada is not high in comparision with other industrialized nations, socialist or not. Part of the reason that Canada keeps on appearing at the top of United Nations lists of the highest living standards in the world is a result of its low costs and accessible social support system for Canadians. As an international student you can only benefit from this. Inside Canada your dollar will get you far, and any trips you might take across the border to the U.S. will reinforce this for you.

The big city
Like anywhere, living costs in urban centres are much higher than those in the suburbs or outskirts of the city, or in the country. Exception to the rule: in smaller towns where some universities are located, sometimes there is not enough housing available to all the students who want to live off-campus and as a result rents are unnaturally high in those places (Guelph, Ontario is an example of this). Hence, many students remain in on-campus housing much longer, which is not always a lower-cost option, but a more convenient one. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive places to live in the country and with the largescale shortage of affordable housing in Toronto, costs are at their highest there and continue to rise.

According to educational institutions
As the cost of living varies greatly from city to city, and depending on where the school is located in each city, the best estimates on living expense will come directly from the university or college you are applying to.

According to Citizenship and Immigration
To receive your student authorization to study in Canada you must prove to the Canadian authorities that you can meet their estimates for living expenses. Exclusive of tuition, and other student fees, each student should show proof of the following in bank statements, registered funds or other sources: $10 000 for twelve months, an additional $4000 for a spouse and $3000 for each dependent (child). These costs include food, accomodation, transportation, medical insurance, books, clothing and sundries. How they have arrived at these figures and whether the differential of location has been considered is not clear, but be certain these figures are an absolute minimum. The figures supplied by each institution will be more accurate guidelines and will be considered instead of this index when available.

And then there's Quebec
As Quebec requires separate authorization for students applying to study in that province, it too has different (and lower) numbers associated with living costs. Again, these are the amounts that you will have to show proof of $9 600 for single students. $12 960 for two people (spouse or other dependent), $16 000 for three and $2240 for each additional dependent.