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Real Expenses Breakdown of an Indian Student in Toronto

Jaspreet has been in Toronto for 14 months. Here is an unfiltered, category-by-category breakdown of what she actually spends — not what agents tell you to budget.

By NRI Route·25 January 2026·6 min read

Indian woman student budgeting with phone and groceries list

Jaspreet — real Toronto numbers, not the consultant's CAD 1,200 line

When Jaspreet Gill was preparing to come to Toronto, her consultant told her to budget CAD 1,200–1,500 per month for living expenses. Fourteen months in, she has never spent less than CAD 1,850 in a month. Here is the real breakdown — with context for every category.

Monthly Expenses — 14-Month Average

Rent (shared 2BR apartment in North York, split 2 ways): CAD 975 (her share)
Groceries: CAD 320 — cooking mostly Indian food, buying spices in bulk from Gerrard Street
TTC transit (monthly pass): CAD 128
Mobile phone (prepaid): CAD 45
Internet (split with roommate): CAD 35
Laundry: CAD 30
Personal care (toiletries, haircut, etc.): CAD 55
Eating out / coffee (twice a week minimum): CAD 140
Clothing (averaged across year): CAD 45
Books, course materials: CAD 60 (first semester higher)
Entertainment (movies, events, occasional travel within Ontario): CAD 80
Unexpected / miscellaneous: CAD 90
TOTAL AVERAGE: CAD 2,003/month

Indian woman shopping for produce at a market — Spices from Gerrard — where Punjabi cooking stays affordable in Toronto

Jaspreet's part-time earnings (19 hrs/week at a Shoppers Drug Mart): CAD 1,180/month take-home. Shortfall covered by family: approximately CAD 820/month, which her parents transfer as a fixed monthly amount. This is in addition to tuition — which is paid separately from India savings.

The number that surprises most people back home is rent. CAD 975 for half a two-bedroom in North York is actually good. Some of my classmates pay CAD 1,200 for a shared room. Toronto housing is genuinely expensive. Everything else you can manage.
— Jaspreet Gill, Toronto

Where She Saves and Where She Doesn't Cut Corners

Jaspreet saves by cooking every meal at home except one weekly treat. She doesn't save on social life — she goes to cultural events, attends college society meetings, and made an early commitment to not isolate herself. "The mental cost of isolation is more expensive than a ₹800 movie ticket," she says. She also doesn't cut corners on sleep — she doesn't take more shifts than she can handle during exam weeks.

Budget at least CAD 1,800–2,100 per month for living expenses in Toronto — not CAD 1,200. Planning accurately prevents financial stress, which is the hidden cost no one budgets for.