A lot of new immigrants and students who wish to study or live in Canada wonder “what’s the cost of living in British Columbia?
We will do a break down in a short while.
Most students from all over the globe prefer to study in top tier countries outside of their parent country. This is mostly as a result of wanting improved standard of living, lower tuition fees or for a conducive and enabling learning environment.
It’s a dream come true for a lot of international students to study in top tier countries. Canada with its developed economy, diversify culture, and open arm to immigrants is a popular destination for international students.
Is Cost of Living in British Columbia High?
British Columbia is the western most province in Canada. It’s the third most-populous province in Canada with Victoria as the capital city and Vancouver as the most populous city which also doubles as the third largest metropolitan area in the country.
British Columbia is one of the most expensive cities to live in Canada. However, recent ranking shows that it’s the third (3rd) best province to live in Canada. It’s the home to prominent educational institution. As an international student seeking to immigrate to the province, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the cost of living in the province so you can effectively match it with your budget.
Expenses for International Students in Alberta
Highlighted below are some of the expenses for international students studying in the province of Quebec.
- Accommodation Costs: We divide into two which are; short term stay and long term stay
For Short Term Stay
| Accommodation Type | Price Range/Night in CAD |
| Hotels | 55 – 320 |
| Bed and Breakfast Stay | 50 – 250 |
| Hostel | 40 – 200 |
For Long Term Stay
| Accommodation Type | Price Range in CAD |
| Homestay | 900 – 2,000 |
| Residence / Dormitory | 6,000 – 15,000 per 8 months |
| Rented Apartment | 900 – 1,600 per month |
- Food Expenses: We provide rough estimate of household consumption in three famous cities in Alberta
| Estimates | Rate (CAD) |
| Non-alcoholic drinks | 3.5 |
| Alcoholic drinks | 2.6 |
| Grocery | 380 per month |
| Milk | 1.9 per liter |
| Water | 1.2 per liter |
- Transportation Expenses: We compare different mode of transportation in Montreal and Quebec city
| Mode of Transport | Charges (CAD) |
| Personal Driving | 1.1 |
| Public transport monthly ticket | 80 |
| Taxi | 17 |
- Healthcare Charges in British Columbia: Before you can enroll in a designated learning institution in Canada, you need to obtain medical insurance certificates. You can either do this before moving into the country or immediately after landing in the country.
Basic Coverage of Health Insurance
- Medical services provided by physician
- Maternity care
- Eye examinations
- Diagnostic services
- Dental and oral surgery
- Orthodontic services
- Student Expenses: Tuition fees of educational institutions in the province is expensive compare to other provinces in the country. However, it is still very much affordable when compared to tuition fees from other top tier countries. Other expenses aside tuition fees include, payment for textbooks, entertainments, and other miscellaneous items.
No doubt, British Columbia has prominent and affordable educational institutions in the country. It also has the one of the most expensive accommodation package in the country.
Now that you know the cost of living in British Columbia, are you thinking of moving and need a little help? Contact us for guidance
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