Cities like Vancouver and Toronto are home to some of Canada’s top-ranked universities and colleges, but living there can be expensive for students. The cost of living in these cities averages between C$2,000 and C$2,600 per month, even when sharing housing and looking for deals on groceries, phone bills, and other expenses. Across Canada, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment was C$1,550 in late 2025. Even split a few ways, rent can be a large part of most students’ budgets. Fortunately, many Canadian cities are home to great academic institutions and are more affordable. The eight cities below are among the most affordable cities in Canada for international students, based on having average rent prices lower than the national average.
To create this list, we used October 2025 data (the most recent available) from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation which listed the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in cities larger than 10,000 people across Canada. As most students share housing, keep in mind that the rental costs below would be split between two or more people.
Balance your student budget with these budgeting strategies for international students.
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8. Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina has the most affordable average monthly rent among Saskatchewan’s larger communities at C$1,473 for a two-bedroom (2BD) apartment. And, every year, Regina welcomes thousands of international students to its six public postsecondary institutions. This vibrant capital city hosts many festivals and events, especially during the summer, but is also known for urban greenspace: its Wascana Centre park is three times bigger than New York City’s Central Park!
Students also save on health care premiums, as the government of Saskatchewan provides free basic healthcare coverage (via a Saskatchewan Health Card) to international students after three months in Canada.
Academic institutions to consider in Regina: Saskatchewan Polytechnic, University of Regina
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7. Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a growing city in central Alberta, and hosts international students from over 25 countries at its post-secondary academic institutions. As a more affordable hub than Edmonton and Calgary, Red Deer’s two-bedroom apartments average C$1,414 per month.
Students who love the outdoors will enjoy exploring over 100 kilometres of trails through the city’s Waskasoo Park, or taking weekend trips to the nearby Rockies.
Thinking of studying in Red Deer? Consider enrolling at Red Deer Polytechnic.
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6. Fredericton, New Brunswick
Did you know that Fredericton has one of the highest per capita clusters of engineers in North America? The University of New Brunswick’s engineering faculty has been training engineers since 1854. As such, it makes sense that over 70% of the province’s knowledge industry is based in Fredericton. Unlike many other tech hubs, however, monthly rent is below the national average at C$1,413 (2BD).
As a fairly walkable city, students can also save money on transportation!
Academic institutions to consider in Fredericton: New Brunswick Community College, St. Thomas University, University of New Brunswick
Image Credit: Michel Rathwell from Cornwall, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
5. St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Thousands of international students receive a warm East Coast welcome as they arrive in St. John’s every year. Newfoundland and Labrador’s locals pride themselves on their creativity and community spirit (perhaps most famously captured in the Broadway musical Come From Away). First established as a fishing outpost, St. John’s is now a key service hub for the offshore oil and gas industry, and home to a lively arts and cultural sector.
While students must budget for other higher expenses due to the city’s more remote location, rent prices are competitive. In late 2025, average monthly rent was C$1,361 (2BD).
Academic institutions to consider in St. John’s: College of the North Atlantic, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Image Credit: Robert Cutts from Bristol, England, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI)
Charlottetown sits at the heart of PEI, Canada’s smallest province. In fact, on most parts of the island, you’re never more than a 15-minute drive from the Atlantic Ocean! This charming maritime city has an average monthly rent of C$1,300 (2BD), and is home to over 80 different international student populations, all drawn to the island’s excellent academic opportunities and its calm, historic, and creative character.
As students are a sizable part of Charlottetown’s population, their youthful energy shapes the city through supporting diverse businesses, participating in local events, and coming up with entrepreneurial ideas and startups of their own.
Thinking of studying in Charlottetown? Consider attending the University of Prince Edward Island.
Image Credit: New Brunswick Tourism, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3. Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick is known for being home to some of Canada’s oldest institutions and most respected research centres, as well as the beautiful Fundy National Park. As Canada’s only officially bilingual province, public education is offered in both English and French across New Brunswick. Students will thrive, thanks to class sizes which are often smaller than in larger centres. The overall cost of living is more affordable in Saint John compared to many other Canadian cities, and rent averaged C$1,290 per month (2BD).
Academic institutions to consider in Saint John: New Brunswick Community College, University of New Brunswick
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2. Québec City, Québec
Québec City, particularly the walled cobblestone streets of Old Québec, charm visitors and locals alike. Students can enjoy Québécois traditions like visiting sugar shacks in the spring for maple syrup or celebrating St. Jean Baptiste Day with fireworks and concerts in June. On average, rent was C$1,227 (2BD) in late 2025.
In general, international students will find their tuition rates and cost of living are more affordable across the province of Québec, compared to much of North America. However, outside of bilingual Montreal (which had the most affordable average rent among larger Canadian cities, at C$1,346), most classes are taught in French. So, Québec City is a great option for students with strong French-language skills or who are from Francophone countries.
Academic institutions to consider in Québec City: Aviron Québec College Technique, BLI Canada – Québec City
Image Credit: Cantons-de-l’Est, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
1. Sherbrooke, Québec
One of the most affordable Canadian cities for international students is Sherbrooke, Québec. Located 160 km east of (or about a two-hour drive from) Montréal, Sherbrooke is Québec’s unofficial “college town.” Sherbrooke has the largest concentration of students in Quebec, which helps to keep rental rates affordable as most students aren’t looking for luxury housing options. In late 2025, CMHC reported that 2BD apartments averaged C$1,062 per month.
Sherbrooke is also a very bikeable city, for students who want to use active transit, and locals enjoy its lively cultural scene and outdoor activities (like skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking) through all four seasons.
Thinking of studying in Sherbrooke? Consider enrolling at Bishop’s University.
We hope that this list has inspired you to look into these eight great cities. From coast to coast to coast, Canada has a lot to offer international students.
Interested in studying in one of these affordable Canadian cities? Match up with in-demand programs for future intakes on the ApplyBoard platform.
