By The Canadian Press on August 19, 2026 Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Moving to a new city for school can mean newfound freedom—and new costs

By The Canadian Press on August 19, 2026 Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Moving away for school can bring sticker shock. Here’s how to plan for housing, food, transportation, and other expenses.

Moving to a different city for post-secondary studies could be your first taste of freedom. But that autonomy over your time, life, and money also means a lot more responsibility—finding housing, figuring out your commute to classes, and managing a whole new set of expenses on your own. All of that comes with a price tag—and sometimes, sticker shock.

Certified financial planner Ryan Lee said students should plan for three buckets of spending when moving away from home: fixed, variable, and one-time moving costs.

The one-time costs include travelling to the new city, a chunk of money for first and last months’ rent, as well as starter furniture and some kitchen essentials. Lee estimates it could cost anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000. If a student is moving to a colder region, Lee said that could also mean a few hundred........

© MoneySense