Cost of Living in Surrey(Canada) for Students

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Surrey is the second largest municipality in Vancouver, home to half a million people. It is also one of Canada’s growing cities. Surrey is charming and has a friendly community, beautiful scenery, and a thriving economy. Students come to study in Surrey because it is affordable, safe, and a real gem to explore some historical, cultural, and natural attractions.

Is Surrey a student city?

Yes, Surrey is one of the most popular student cities in Canada. The University of Surrey is one of the top universities, ranking #244 in the QS World University Rankings by Top University with a 4.3 overall score. The University of Surrey has over 5,0006 international students from all over the world.

What is the cost of living in Surrey?

According to Numbeo, Surrey is 9.8% lower in cost of living than Vancouver. Living in Surrey will cost CA$1,500 /month excluding tuition fees. The cost of housing will be around CA$600 – CA$1,200 /month, food will approximately come to around CA$300 /month while transportation will cost CA$116 /month if you use public transportation.

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

Expenses	Cost (Average)
Average Tuition Fees	CA$15,000 – CA$20,000 /Year
Accommodation	CA$600 – CA$1,200 /Month
Local transport	CA$116 /Month

Is it expensive to study in Surrey?

Surrey is affordable in terms of living and studying. The cost of studying in Surrey will depend upon the course type you choose and at which university. Below, we have only given the average cost of UG and PG degrees. But please remember to check in with your university for the course fee you are applying for in Surrey, Canada.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee	Post-Graduate Tuition Fee
CA$15,000 – CA$20,000 /Year	CA$18,000 – CA$22,000 /Year

Is housing expensive in Surrey?

The cost of rent is affordable in Surrey. You can find a wide range of budget-friendly student accommodation in Surrey. There are three types of student accommodation available in Surrey. Below, we have given a brief on each type of accommodation to give you an idea of the options available to make informed decisions.

1. Student Housing

Student housing offers a feeling and sense of belonging among students. It is usually located close to universities, making it convenient to get to classes and other places quickly. Safety and security are their main forte apart from amenities. Overall, they provide safety and comfort and simplify a student’s life.

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$607 – CA$723 / Month

2. Private Apartment

As the name suggests, a private apartment means living privately and independently. It is a student accommodation that allows students to stay alone or share an apartment. It is located near the campus building. In this accommodation type, students get the benefits of cooking facilities, modern amenities, socialization, and options to choose the property location.

Apartment	Price
Private	CA$1,057 – CA$1,273 / Month

3. University Halls

University halls are also known as on-campus accommodation. Freshers prefer it as it provides a seamless transition into student life. There needs to be more privacy and more facilities provided by the university.

University Hall	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	CA$800 – CA$1,200 / Month

What is the cost of food in Surrey?

When it comes to food, there’s no accurate pricing on the food. It depends upon your eating and spending habits. It also depends upon the location where you eat or purchase food in Surrey. For instance, the cost of food in the city centre of Surrey will be around CA$35 while food costs in the suburbs of Surrey will cost CA$20. It all depends on your habits.

How much is the cost of electric bills in Surrey?

On average, the electricity bills in Surrey will come to about CA$200 /month. But this is included in the utility bills. Student accommodation usually covers the utility bills included in the rent. As for university halls, they have their terms and conditions.

How do you get around Surrey?

TransLink operates public transit such as buses and Skytrain that can get residents within and outside the region. A travel card called the Compass smart card offers cheap fares on buses and sky trains. There are also carpooling and community shuttle options.