Cost of living

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

Expense Type	Estimated Expenses (monthly)
Rent for a single or shared room	$500 - $1,000
Rent for a 1 – bedroom apartment or basement	$1000 - $1500
Rent for a 2 – bedroom apartment	$1000 - $2000
Rent for a multiple bedroom apartment or house	$1500 - $2500
Tenant insurance	$20 - $40
Internet (when not included in the rent)	$40 - $80
Phone	$30 - $90
Power/electricity (when not included in the rent)	$40 - $100
Water (when not included in the rent)	$100 - $150
Groceries for a single person or couple	$300 - $600
Groceries for a family	$600 - $1200
Car maintenance (gas – insurance)	$400 - $600
Child – related expenses (extra-curricular, clothing, childcare)	$200 - $1000
Leisure spending and personal expenses	About $200
Initial moving expenses: quarantine, furnishing room/apartment	Up to $2500

Estimated monthly cost for living a comfortable life in Nova Scotia

Type of individual or group	Cost per month
Person sharing an accommodation	$1000 - $1500
Person living on their own	$1500 - $2000
Sharing accommodation as a couple	$2000 - $2500
Couple with child/children	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 $15.00 per hour before taxes (in Nova Scotia).  

For example, a student working 20 hours a week earning minimum wages should expect to make about $1200 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.