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.