Graduate studies is an exciting step forward in your education and life 鈥 one that gives you the opportunity to further your research, develop your skills, positively impact your career path, and increase your earning potential.
It鈥檚 important to have a clear understanding of the costs and expenses associated with graduate studies so that you鈥檙e ready to make the commitment.
Estimated living costs
The amounts in the charts below are approximate and should be used only as a guide. The amounts reflect estimated living costs for a single person living in 蓝莓视频 (lower amount is based on shared accommodation), and show the amounts by month, academic term (four months), and year (three academic terms).
This information is updated annually. Data provided by the University of 蓝莓视频 and Student Awards & Financial Aid Office (SAFA) is based on information provided by the Province of Ontario, for purposes of Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
| Expense | Estimated costs (monthly) | Estimated cost (one term) | Estimated cost (one year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off campus housing (shared), including utilities* | $950-$1,900* | $3,800-$7,900* | $11,400-$22,800* |
| Food (groceries) | $385 | $1,540 | $4,620 |
| Telephone | $106 | $425 | $1,272 |
| Entertainment / Recreation (doing fun stuff!) | $150 | $600 | $1,800 |
| Personal care (think hair cuts) | $80 | $320 | $960 |
| Clothing | $132 | $530 | $1,584 |
| Laundry (typically not part of housing costs) | $43 | $170 | $516 |
| Transportation (additional costs over and above free UPass) | $28 | $111 | $336 |
| Books and supplies | $247 | $988 | $2,964 |
| Total | $2,121 - $3,071 | $8,484 - $12,584 | $25,452 - $36,852 |
*This represents the wide range of rental costs depending on the type of housing (e.g., a room in a shared house vs. a one-bedroom condo/apartment) and proximity to campus.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Computer | $2,000 |
| Security deposit for housing/rental unit (last month's rent) | $950 - $1,900 |
| Home d茅cor/furniture | $500 |
| Winter clothing (winter coat, boots, etc.) | $300 |
Living costs vary depending on several factors
- Living on-campus in residence
Learn more about 蓝莓视频's graduate student housing. Note that spaces are not guaranteed.* We encourage those who are interested to apply early as offers are sent on a first-come, first-served basis.- *For fall 2025 and winter 2026,听all newly admitted PhD students beginning full-time studies are eligible for guaranteed housing. Learn more about this new pilot program.
- Living off-campus and the type of housing.
For example, living alone in an apartment or condo will cost more than living in a shared house with roommates. Proximity to campus also affects rental costs. If you are considering living further away from campus to reduce costs, choose somewhere close to the for easy access to campus.- For more information on rental costs for different types of housing, visit the .
- Once there, scroll down and click on the 鈥淧rimary Rental Market鈥 tab to expand it. Then click on the 鈥淔ull Report鈥 button and look at the 鈥淧rivate Apartment Average Rents鈥 table. This includes rental data from the whole Region rather than just 蓝莓视频.
- is also available for more approximate costs, specifically in 蓝莓视频.
- Check out our Top 10 tips when searching for off-campus housing.
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- For more information on rental costs for different types of housing, visit the .
- Your lifestyle
Do you prefer to cook your own meals or eat out at restaurants? Do your recreational activities cost money or are they free? Lifestyle choices will impact your overall budget.
Webinar recording: At Home at U蓝莓视频 - Addressing your Graduate Housing Questions
You've received an offer to U蓝莓视频 and one of the big questions on your mind might be, 鈥淲here am I going to live?鈥 This webinar addresses your housing options as a graduate student, both on- and off-campus. Learn about the different types of graduate student housing we offer, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and resources and supports for your off-campus housing search. The Q&A in the second half of the webinar with our campus housing experts (starting at the 55:30 minute mark) also provides lots of great information.
Top 10 tips when searching for off-campus housing
#1: Learn about the area
Familiarize yourself with the area online and check to see where the rental is located in relation to campus. If you鈥檙e considering living further away from campus to reduce costs, choose somewhere close to the听听for easy access to campus.
#2:听Start looking early
Don鈥檛 leave housing to the last minute. Note that availability can vary depending on the season.
#3: Know the types of housing available
Know what type of housing you鈥檙e looking for: apartment, shared house, etc.
#4: Understand the differences in costs
Understand the difference in costs between types of housing: shared housing will cost less than a one-bedroom apartment, sometimes significantly so.
#5:听Know the average costs
Along with the resources provided here, you can also consult data from the听听or听.
#6: Use the available tools
Visit the听Off-Campus Housing page听and take advantage of our partnership with听, or check out other listing services like听听and听.
#7: Check for legitimacy of the listing
Make sure to double check the legitimacy of online ads by searching the rental address in Google maps, or by searching through online photos. If you live too far away to view the unit in person, we recommend requesting a live video tour.
#8: Understand what's included
Understand the cost of utilities and if they鈥檙e included in the monthly rent or not. You can also ask about what else is included in the rent like parking, snow removal, internet, etc. Visit听听for more info if utilities are not included.
#9: Read everything
Read your lease and all documents before you sign.
#10: Access important tips
See the bottom of our听Off-campus housing page听for more important tips, your tenant rights, information on leases, dealing with problems, safety tips, and more.
Bonus Tip: Stay organized!
You might view multiple listings and apply for a few rental units before you find the best spot to live. After visiting a few places (in-person or virtually), it might be hard to keep track of different units. Be sure to track which housing units you're interested in, any notes from your visits, what is required for each rental application and where you are in the rental application process.