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Compare your living options

On-Campus Residence
vs. Living at Home

Select your province
Select your region
Commute time (one-way, from home to campus)30 min
How long would it take you to get from home to campus by transit/car? This affects both cost and quality of life.
🏢 On-Campus Residence
Monthly cost
$1,520
8-month semester cost
$12,160
Commute
5 min each way
~40 hours total semester
Pros: Minimal commute, on-campus social life, no commute stress, built-in community
🏡 Living at Home
Monthly cost
$550
8-month semester cost
$4,400
Commute
30 min each way
~240 hours total semester
Pros: Lowest cost (save $$7,760), home-cooked meals, family support, familiar environment
8-Month Semester Summary
OptionSemester CostCommute HoursCost Difference
On-Campus$12,16040+$7,760
Home$4,400240-$7,760
How to decide
Choose On-Campus if:
• You want to maximize study time and minimize commute stress
• You're far from home and relocation is necessary
• Campus social life and networking matter to you
• A 30-minute commute feels draining
Choose Home if:
• Your commute is 30 minutes or under
• You want to save $$7,760 per semester
• You value family support and home-cooked meals
• You prefer familiar surroundings over campus independence
💡 What about shared apartments?
Shared housing can be a great middle ground, but costs vary wildly by neighborhood and roommate situation. We recommend:
•Search Kijiji, Facebook groups, or Craigslist for actual listings in your area
•Use Google Maps to check commute time from each apartment
•Calculate total cost: rent (your share) + utilities + transit + groceries
•Compare to residence & home using this tool, weighing commute time seriously