Cost of living in Cambridge: Complete guide for 2025
Cambridge, the dynamic urban centre of Ontario, Canada, is a perfect mix of urban charm and natural splendour. You may have heard that Cambridge is a friendly city with a low cost of living, a thriving cultural scene…a great place to live and visit!
By reading this comprehensive guide you will receive a detailed description of how much living in Cambridge costs for housing, transportation, food, healthcare, education, entertainment, miscellaneous expenditure, etc. Knowing what these living costs with Cambridge will be allows you to better understand them and make informed decisions about your money.
This guide will give you the essential information to help you decide whether or not to move to Cambridge for work, study or just for a new lifestyle.
Cambridge: An Overview
Cambridge is a lively city in Ontario, Canada, with its rich history, fabulous natural environment and exciting cultural presence. Being a university town means it has a wide, welcoming town with a lot of opportunities — for students, young professionals and families. Museums, galleries, parks and trails are found in abundance in the city. Its affordable cost of living access to very good schools and convenient drives to Toronto make Cambridge a popular location for people looking for a high quality of life.
Housing Costs in Cambridge
Apartment and House Rent
- One-bedroom apartment: Around CAD 1,000 - 1,300 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartment: It is about $CAD 1,300 - $CAD 1,600 per month.
- Three-bedroom house: For approximately CAD 1,600 - 2,000 per month.
Utilities and Home Insurance
- Utilities: About CAD150 - 200 per month including electricity, heating, water, and internet.
- Home insurance: About CAD 50 - 100 per month.
Transportation Costs in Cambridge
A developed public transportation network and low costs of transportation in Cambridge.
Public Transportation
- Bus pass: About CAD 70 - 90 per month.
- Taxi: About CAD 5 - 10 per kilometre.
Car Ownership
- Car purchase: Used car range: approximately CAD 15,000 – 25,000.
- Car insurance: Depending on how many kids you have, you will spend approximately CAD 1,000 - 1,500 per year.
- Gas prices: It costs about CAD1.50 – 2.00 per litre.
Food Costs in Cambridge
Cambridge is very reasonable when it comes to food costs, with several grocery stores and restaurants to choose from.
Grocery Shopping
- Weekly grocery bill: For a single person, it is around CAD 100 - 150.
- Popular grocery stores: Sobeys, Metro, Walmart.
Dining Out
- Casual dining: About CAD 15 - 20 per meal.
- Fine dining: Costing approximately CAD 30 - 50 per meal.
Healthcare Costs in Cambridge
Cambridge residents have provincial health insurance coverage and its healthcare costs are on the lower side.
Provincial Health Insurance
- Cost: Residents of Ontario are free.
- Coverage: It mostly pays for medically necessary hospital stays, doctor's visits and prescription drugs.
Dental Care and Prescription Drugs
- Average cost per prescription: Ranges from CAD 20 to 50 (depending on your medication and insurance coverage).
- Government programs: Certain prescription drugs are covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB), for eligible residents.
- Private insurance: Most employers provide you with private health insurance which may cover prescription drugs.
- The average cost for a general checkup and cleaning: is CAD 100-150.
- The average cost for a filling: is CAD 150-300.
- The average cost for a root canal: is CAD 500-1000.
- Dental insurance: While it isn’t mandatory, dental insurance can greatly reduce out-of-pocket costs for dental care. Dental insurance is often part of most benefits packages for many employers.
Education Costs in Cambridge
Cambridge has competitive education costs, and some awesome universities and colleges with many programmes to choose from.
International Student Tuition Fees
- Undergraduate programs: Between CAD 15,000 – 25,000 per year.
- Graduate programs: It should be approximately CAD 18,000 – 30,000 per year.
Student Housing & Meal Plans
- On-campus housing: CAD 7,000 - 10,000 per year including meal plans.
- Off-campus housing: This works out to be around CAD 6,000 - 8,000 per year.
Entertainment Costs in Cambridge
Cambridge offers a variety of entertainment options, from outdoor activities to cultural events.
Leisure Activities and Attractions
- Museums and galleries: Approximately CAD 5 - 10 per admission.
- Sports events: Approximately CAD 20 - 50 per ticket.
- Outdoor activities: Free or low-cost.
Miscellaneous Costs in Cambridge
In addition to the costs mentioned above, there are a few other expenses to consider.
Personal Care and Grooming
- Haircuts: Approximately CAD 20 - 30.
- Clothing: Approximately CAD 50 - 100 per month.
Taxes and Fees
- Income tax: Varies depending on income level.
- Sales tax: 13%.
Cost of Living in Cambridge for International Students
- Living Expenses for Students
- Monthly budget: It’s about CAD 1,500 - 2,000 a year for one student.
- Factors affecting costs: Food, transportation, accommodation, etc, and personal preferences.
Cost of Living in Cambridge for Indian Students
- Monthly budget: That comes to approximately CAD 1,500 - 2,000 for even just one student.
- Factors affecting costs: Things such as accommodation, transportation, food and personal preferences.
Conclusion
It should be noted that life in Cambridge is so good, and the chances of personal and professional growth are so numerous. The cost of living can also be high, especially housing and transportation; however, the city's lively atmosphere, good economy, and excellent educational institutions make it an appealing destination for so many.
If you’re wondering how it will be to live in Cambridge then you should plan your budget wisely and learn as much as possible about what it can cost you to live in the city. You can make informed decisions and smooth transitions if you know which expenses are involved.
Be a student, be a young professional, or be a family and you’ll feel warmly and integrally welcomed here in Cambridge. While the cost of living is lower than most other cities in the US and there are strong job markets and a booming cultural scene, Cambridge truly offers something for everyone.
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