Cost of Living in Calgary for Students

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Calgary is a city in Alberta, Canada located on the western edge of the Great Plains. It is a student city, and home to the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic and Mt. Royal Institute. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index, it is the world’s third most livable city.

Do students enjoy living in Calgary?

There’s a vibrant social life in Calgary which attracts so many international students. About 10% are international students from over 153 countries who come to study both UG and PG programs. It is a student hub with rapidly growing cafes, coffee shops, bars, etc for some entertainment.

Is Calgary safe to live and study in Calgary?

Calgary is one of the fourth-largest countries in the country. It is a multicultural city, welcoming and well-known for the citizen’s friendliness. Being a multicultural city, it is one of the safest cities to live in Canada.

What are some of the best places to live in Calgary?

Some of the best areas to live in Calgary are Killarney, Bankview, Mount Royal and along the north and southwest. The rent is slightly higher but is considered to be the best place to live in Calgary. The cost of living in Calgary is CA$1,938 per month excluding tuition fees. For more personalized information, use our cost of living calculator to estimate your desired area’s average cost of living.

Before we list the details of the cost of living in Calgary, let’s summarize its cost.

Expenses	Cost (Average)
Average Tuition Fees	CA$15,000 – CA$28,000 / Year
Accommodation	CA$1,109 – CA$2,464 / Month
Transportation	CA$262 / Month

How much does it cost to study in Calgary?

Calgary is home to so many universities for UG and PG programs. It depends on the type of course and university you choose to study in Calgary. The courses for UG and PG will differ for every university. We’ve listed down the costs of tuition fees for UG and PG programs in Calgary. This is only the average cost, please check in with your university for tuition fees.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee	Post-Graduate Tuition Fee
CA$21,000 – CA$28,000 / Year	CA$15,000 – CA$25,000 / Year

Is it expensive to live in Calgary?

Calgary has the lowest cost of living of most Canadian cities such as Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. It also offers affordable student accommodation including student housing, private apartments and university halls. Each type of student accommodation in Calgary has its unique offers. We have given a brief below on each of them to help you understand each one of them and make a wise decision.

1. Student Housing

Student housing is a residential property built and designed for students. It consists of a studio or apartment with great amenities such as private rooms, a bathroom, a fully-fitted kitchen, etc. It is built not far off from the campus building and offers students a comfortable living space.

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$1,109 – CA$1,329 / Month

2. Private Apartment

Private apartments offer students a more independent living space compared to shared accommodation. It is located near the campus buildings and comes fully furnished with top-class amenities.

Apartment	Price
Private	CA$2,134 – CA$2,464 / Month

3. University Halls

University Halls are residence halls provided by universities and offer accommodation for students. It is offered only to students pursuing higher studies. They come in various forms it can be a traditional or style-shared bedroom with a shared bathroom, kitchen and living space.

University Hall	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	CA$600 to CA$1,000 / Month

What’s the cost of food in Calgary?

The cost of food in Calgary will depend upon the type of food, eating, spending habits and the location of where you eat. Eating out is more expensive than cooking meals at home. For instance, the cost of eating a mid-range meal at a restaurant will cost CA$50 a burger will cost CA$12 a drink will cost CA$5. If you decide to cook meals at home which is highly recommended, your groceries will cost CA$324 monthly.

How much do utility bills cost in Calgary?

The cost of your utility bills will depend upon your usage. Your bills will include electricity, cooling, heating, wi-fi,etc. Students housing in Calgary which includes the bill in the rent. As for university halls, you will have to check in with their policies on the same.

What is the best and cheapest mode of traveling in Calgary?

One of the best and cheapest ways to travel around Calgary is the Calgary Transit. It is one of the safest, most efficient and inexpensive ways to travel anywhere in the city. The bus daily is CA$3.60 while a monthly fare will cost CA$112.