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.