The cost of living in Australia vs Canada has become an important factor for students when deciding where to study. Both countries, as home to many top institutions across the world, are among the top choices of students studying abroad. Pursuing an academic career in either of these countries is many students’ dreams. If you are looking to study in Canada or Australia and feel at a loss about your destination, you had better investigate the cost of living in Australia vs Canada before making your decision.
Australia Cost of Living vs Canada: An Overview
From a general perspective, living in Canada costs less than in Australia. Except for tuition fees, the cost of living for students covers accommodation, food and grocery, transportation, entertainment, clothing and shoes. Making a general comparison of Australia vs Canada living cost is necessary to reach a careful conclusion.
Items | Cost of Living in Australia(monthly) | Cost of Living in Canada(monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| On-Campus Accommodation | AUD 1,754 | CAD 1,611 (AUD 1,321) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | AUD 800 | CAD 550 (AUD 626) |
| Grocery and Food | AUD 850 | CAD 800 (AUD 891) |
| Transportation | AUD 150 | CAD 100 (AUD 113) |
| Entertainment | AUD 80 | CAD 60 (AUD 68) |
| Utility | AUD 200 | CAD 180 (AUD204) |
| Clothing | AUD 150 | CAD 130 (AUD150) |
| Monthly Living Cost with On-Campus Accommodation | AUD 3,184 | CAD 2881 (AUD 3138) |
| Monthly Living Cost with Off-Campus Accommodation | AUD 2,230 | CAD 1820 (AUD 1982) |
Cost of Living Australia vs Canada: Major Cities
The table below exhibits the cost of living in Australia vs Canada on the city level, from which it is inferred that the cost of living in Canada is slightly lower than in Australia.
| Country | City | Average Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|
Australia | Sydney | AUD 1,750 |
| Canberra | AUD 1,890 | |
| Brisbane | AUD 1,604 | |
| Perth | AUD 1,662 | |
| Adelaide | AUD 1,751 | |
Canada | Toronto | CAD 1,532 (AUD 1,680) |
| Montreal | CAD 1,404 (AUD 1,540) | |
| Vancouver | CAD 1,537 (AUD 1,687) | |
| Calgary | CAD 1,596 (AUD 1,572) | |
| Edmonton | CAD 1,442 (AUD 1,582) |
These cities are not only economically developed but also outstanding in education. We list below the top 5 universities in Canada and Australia with important information you must note such as location, ranking, tuition fee, etc.
| Country | City | University | QS Ranking | Admission Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | Canberra | Australian National University | 30 | 71% |
| Sydney | University of Sydney | 18 | 70% | |
| University of New South Wales | 19 | 60% | ||
| Melbourne | University of Melbourne | 13 | 70% | |
| Brisbane | University of Queensland | 40 | 70% | |
Canada | Toronto | University of Toronto | 25 | 54% |
| Montreal | McGill University | 29 | 46% | |
| Universite de Montreal | 159 | 41% | ||
| Vancouver | University of British Columbia | 38 | 52% | |
| Edmonton | University of Alberta | 96 | 52% |
Australia vs Canada Living Cost: Student Accommodation
Despite the general lower expense, the housing cost in Canada is higher than in Australia. Accommodation is of vital importance in budgeting your cost of living in Canada or Australia. Some universities in Australia and Canada do not provide on-campus accommodation. Even if they do, the accommodation can be higher in price and the infrastructure may not be satisfying enough. Therefore, it is recommended that you arrange your living place beforehand. Given below is a table of accommodation options and reference price in major cities of Canada or Australia.
| Country | City | Studio(weekly) |
|---|---|---|
Australia | Sydney | AUD 394-804 |
| Melbourne | AUD 230-750 | |
| Canberra | AUD 185-319 | |
| Brisbane | AUD 218-530 | |
| Perth | AUD 266-575 | |
Canada | Toronto | CAD 450-875 (AUD 432-960) |
| Montreal | CAD 185-398 (AUD 203-437) | |
| Vancouver | CAD 325-655 (AUD 536-718) | |
| Calgary | CAD 300-550 (AUD 329-604) | |
| Edmonton | CAD 282-450 (AUD 309-494) |
More information about student accommodations in Canada or student accommodations in Australia can be obtained at uhomes.com, in which lots of student accommodations are offering cashback of up to AUD 260!
Australia vs Canada Cost of Living: Tuition Fees
Receiving education in Canada might be cheaper than in Australia. For students, the tuition fee is an unavoidable part when comparing Australia cost of living vs Canada. We list below the tuition fees of different academic phases in Canada or Australia for your reference.
| Program | Average Tuition Fee in Australia(Annually) | Average Tuition Fee in Canada (Anually) |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | AUD 20,000-45,000 | CAD 10,000-30,000 (AUD 11,000-33,000) |
| Graduate(master) | AUD 22,000-50,000 | CAD 15,000-65,000 (AUD 16,400-71,300) |
| Graduate(doctor) | AUD 22,000-42,000 | CAD 7,000-17,000 (AUD 7600-18,600) |
| Diploma | AUD 4,000-22,000 | CAD 10,000-15,000 (AUD 11,000-16,500) |
Australia Cost of Living vs Canada: Food and Grocery
People living in Canada might cost more for groceries than Australia. Food and grocery expenditure is a necessary part of the cost of living in Australia vs Canada. The local consumer price index greatly influences your budget as well as well-being, since everyone wants to improve their meals within budget. The table below exhibits the local price of basic meal and daily food.
| Item | Cost in Australia | Cost in Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal at inexpensive restaurant | AUD 25.6 | CAD 23.04(AUD 25.1) |
| Fast food combo meal | AUD 14.96 | CAD 13.96 (AUD 15.2) |
| Bread (1 loaf) | AUD 3.55 | CAD 3.5 (AUD 3.8) |
| Milk(1 Liter) | AUD 2.32 | CAD 2.93 (AUD 3.2) |
| Apples(1 kg) | AUD 4.8 | CAD.5.67 (AUD 6.2) |
Living Cost in Australia vs Canada: Transportation
The cost of transportation in Canada is less than in Australia in general. With daily accumulation, the cost of transportation can be a large expenditure when living in Canada or Australia. Whether you are going to the campus, shopping for daily groceries, or just hanging out on weekends, you have to use the transportation. Taking the transport factor into consideration helps you to arrange your budget wisely.
| Transportation | Cost in Sydney | Cost in Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| Single Bus Fare | AUD 2-5 | CAD 3.5 (AUD 3.8) |
| Opal Single Metro Fare | AUD 4-11 | CAD 3-13 (AUD 3.3-14.3) |
| Single Ferry Fare | AUD 6-7.5 | CAD 9 (AUD 9.8) |
| Fuel Per Litre | AUD 2 | CAD 1.7 (AUD 1.9) |
| Monthly cost | AUD 120 | CAD 95(AUD 103) |
Australia vs Canada Live Cost: Student Visa
- Australian Student Visa: In Australia, student visa fees are from AUD 1,600 per visa application unless you are exempt. Australian student visa processing times vary from person to person. More information about Australian student visa application and renewal tips.
Canadian Study Permit: In Canada, the study permit application fee is CAD 150 per application. The study permit is a document that the Canadian government issues to allow foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions in Canada.
Cost of Living in Australia vs Canada: Healthcare Facilities
- In Australia, it is compulsory to maintain adequate health insurance during your stay as an international student. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) assists international students in meeting the costs of medical and hospital care they may need while in Australia. OSHC also includes ambulance cover and limited pharmaceuticals. The lowest cost of minimum cover is AUD 478 for 12 months of single cover.
- In Canada whether or not public health services are accessible to international students depends on each province. Provinces providing health coverage for international students include Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan. Students in other provinces can purchase private health insurance. On average, yearly premiums for health insurance in Canada range from CAD 600 to 900.
Cost of Living in Australia vs Canada: How to Save Money
Cost of living in Canada or Australia is admittedly a huge bite on your wallet. However, don’t be overanxious since there are several money-making opportunities open for international students to relieve their financial burden.
Scholarships
- Australia: More than 1000 scholarships are available for international students in academic year 2025-2026. These scholarships provide average monthly stipend of AUD 20,000 along with tuition fees, accommodation charges, health insurance and travel allowance.
- Canada: Many scholarships are eligible in Canada for international students with academic excellence on all levels. These scholarships include both partially and fully funded scholarships and provide monthly stipend along with tuition fees, accommodation charges, health insurance and travel allowance. The fully-funded scholarship for international students can amount up to CAD 150,000.
Part-Time Jobs
| Australia | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Time Limitation | 20 hr/week(academic session) full-time (breaks) | 40 hr/2 weeks(academic session) unlimited (breaks) |
| Employment Sectors | Retail, hospitality, administration | Healthcare, education,finance |
| Minimum Salary | AUD 21.38/hour | CAD 16.65/hour |
Final Thoughts about Australia vs Canada Cost of Living
Canada or Australia, which one is more attractive and affordable for you when it comes to the cost of living in Australia vs Canada? Living in both countries will cost mountains of money. Nonetheless, both lands will bring you brand new experiences from all perspectives, which makes it worthwhile to make the investment in the long run. Whenever making a choice, it is recommended that you research the cost of living in your destination so that you can arrange your expenditure more wisely and improve your experience. We hope the above information will be useful and enlighten your decision.
FAQs about Cost of Living in Australia vs Canada
Is it cheaper to live in Australia or Canada?
It is estimated that the monthly living cost with on-campus accommodation in Australia is AUD 3,184, and in Canada, it is CAD 2881, or AUD 3138. Generally speaking, the cost of living in Canada is less than in Australia. However, international students should also consider other factors, such as the admission difficulty and post-study vision, when choosing their destination.
Is it better to settle in Canada or Australia?
The general cost of living in Canada is slightly lower than in Australia. But except for expenditure, living in Canada or Australia has many other pros and cons to be evaluated. For students, there is no great difference between both countries in the quality of education offered. International students who cannot put up with a cold winter had better choose the mild Australia. For other students who want a more affordable tuition fee and living cost, Canada might be an ideal choice.
Is salary in Australia better than Canada?
The minimum wage in Australia is AUD 21.38 per hour, while in Canada that is CAD 16.65 per hour, or AUD 18.17 per hour. However, this is just a national minimum average salary. The salary in practice will depend on your location and occupation. By the way, a higher salary does not mean a better life. The cost of living may rise in line with the higher salary.
Is rent higher in Canada or Australia?
In general, the rent is higher in Australia compared with Canada.
- In Australia, the average rent per month for a 1B apartment in the city centre is AUD 2,209. In Canada, it is CAD 1,865 or AUD 2,047.
- The average monthly rent for a 1B apartment outside of centre costs AUD 1,753 per month in Australia, and CAD 1,673 (AUD 1,836) in Canada.
What are the most expensive universities in Australia and Canada?
The top 3 expensive universities in Australia are Bond University, Melbourne University, and The University of Technology Melbourne:
- Bond University: It is a private institution with an average annual tuition fee of AUD 37,440.
- Melbourne University: The tuition fee for international students at Melbourne University is up to AUD 57,540.
- The University of Technology Melbourne: The tuition fee for international students is up to AUD 30,660.
The top 3 expensive universities in Canada are Mount Allison University, Royal Roads University, and
- Mount Allison University: The tuition fees range from CAD 9,725 to CAD 19,620.
- Royal Roads University: The tuition fees range from CAD 8,911 to CAD 17,754.
- University of King’s College: The tuition fees range from CAD 11,517 to CAD 29,118.
