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Cost of living

Data was gathered from 52 International Student Ambassadors living in several communities across Nova Scotia.

Expense Type Estimated Expenses (monthly)

Rent:

          Singled or shared room

 

$500 - $1,000

          1 – bedroom apartment or basement  
 
          2 – bedroom apartment  
 
          Multiple bedroom apartment or house 
$1000 - $1500  
 
$1000 - $2000 
 
$1500 - $2500  
Tenant insurance  
 
Internet (when not included in the rent) 
 
Phone  
 
Power/electricity (when not included in the rent) 
 
Water (when not included in the rent) 
 
Groceries for a single person or couple 
 
Groceries for a family  
 
Car maintenance (gas – insurance) 
 
Child – related expenses (extra-curricular, clothing, childcare) 
 
Leisure spending and personal expenses  
 
Initial moving expenses: quarantine, furnishing room/apartment  
 
Money needed to have a comfortable life in Nova Scotia per month:   
 
        Person sharing accommodation  
 
        Person living on their own 
 
        Person sharing accommodation as a couple  
 
        Couple with child/children 
$20 - $40 
 
$40 - $80  
 
$30 - $90 
 
$40 - $100 
 
$100 - $150  
 
$300 - $600 
 
$600 - $1200  
 
$400 - $600 
 
$200 - $1000 
 
 
About $200  
 
Up to $2500  
 
 
 
 
 
$1000 - $1500  
 
$1500 - $2000 
 
$2000 - $2500 
 
More than $2500

Working while studying

According to IRCC, International students may work 20 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks.  

Student jobs are often paid minimum wage, which is $13.35 per hour before taxes (in Nova Scotia).  

For example, a student working 20 hours a week earning minimum wages should expect to make about $1068 per month, before taxes.  

Please be mindful that it might take time to find the right part time job for you. It’s a good idea to make sure that you have enough funding to cover for your initial expenses. 

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