Toronto is a magnet for students thanks to its universities, job opportunities, and diverse communities. With thousands of students arriving each year, demand for student housing is high — but finding the right place becomes far easier when you know where to focus your search.
This guide will help you break down the process step by step. It covers the best neighbourhoods for students, accommodation options, typical costs, where to search, and practical moving tips to help you secure student housing that suits your needs and your budget.
It's the first step towards the rest of your live – and we've got you covered.
Toronto’s post-secondary institutions attract tens of thousands of local and international students every year. With campuses spread across the city and the Greater Toronto Area, where you choose to study will strongly influence where you live, how you commute, and what your accommodation budget looks like. Understanding the main schools and their locations is the first step to narrowing down neighbourhoods and finding student housing that’s both practical and affordable.
Toronto is home to top-ranking post-secondary schools, with some of the best universities in Canada, including:
Downtown core: Downtown has high walkability and easy access to public transit, yet comes with a higher price tag than other areas.
North York: Popular for York University students. In North York, you’ll get bigger places for the same price as downtown.
Scarborough: Budget-friendlier housing options with longer commutes, but with easy access to TTC (Toronto Transit Commission).
Etobicoke: A quieter neighbourhood for students wanting more peace and quiet. There are also larger houses, perfect for shared housing.
Tip: To help you decide on an area, consider whether it’s more important to have a shorter commute with higher rent or more affordable rent and a longer commute.
Living on campus comes with convenience, combined with a strong, built-in community. Yet, there’s usually limited availability and strict deadlines for committing. Higher rental costs are balanced by fewer setup expenses, such as wifi, utilities, furniture, etc.
Living off-campus means options. You can opt to live solo in a basement suite or studio apartment, or you can choose roommates in shared apartments and housing. These options offer a lot more flexibility, but being a tenant requires a higher level of responsibility.
International students are big on homestays, as the host can help them land comfortably and get oriented to a new country. The rooms are furnished, and utilities are usually included.
Homestays and residencies are great shorter-term options, with many students staying just for the first semester. This gives them some breathing room as they navigate a new city and begin the search for longer-term housing.
Shared rooms: A shared room in a student house or apartment may cost around CA$700-CA$1,000 per month, depending on the location and condition of the house.
Private rooms: A private bedroom in a shared unit can fall between CA$900-CA$1,400 per month, with some downtown listings climbing to CA$1,600+.
Living alone: Studio or one-bedroom apartments are the most expensive option, often starting around CA$1,800 per month and increasing rapidly the closer you get to the city center.
Extra monthly costs: Budget an additional CA$200-CA$350 per month for utilities, internet, laundry, and transit, including a monthly pass for the TTC.
Downtown neighbourhoods sit at the higher end of these ranges, while areas like North York, Scarborough, and Etobicoke tend to offer more affordable options for students.
Beginning your search early gives you access to a wider range of listings, more choice when selecting roommates, and greater flexibility when comparing prices.
Finding student accommodation in a city as large as Toronto starts with knowing where to search and what matters most to you. Once those priorities are clear, it becomes much easier to compare options and make confident decisions when a suitable listing becomes available.
University of Toronto off-campus housing search: Official rental listings and resources provided by the University of Toronto for students looking off campus.
Toronto off-campus housing website: Community housing board with rentals and roommate listings for students in the city.
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CampusOne Toronto: Purpose-built student residence near University of Toronto and other campuses with amenities and social spaces.
Parkside Student Residence: Modern student living spaces close to Toronto Metropolitan University and other schools.
ILAC Toronto Student Residences: Dedicated student residence options with shared and private room types.
HOEM Student Housing: Downtown Toronto student apartments with community spaces and events.
Student.com: A global student housing marketplace with listings in Toronto tailored to student needs. You can compare options and book directly.
University Living: Student accommodation listings in Toronto, including shared and private rooms near major universities.
Places4Students: A North American off-campus housing platform trusted by students, schools, and landlords.
RentSeeker (student housing section): Browse rental apartments near schools across Toronto and Canada.
liv.rent: Canada-wide rental platform with built-in safety features and filters useful for student housing searches.
iROOMit: Canadian roommate matching and room rental platform (not student-only, but commonly used by students to find shared housing).
Roomlala: Listings for rooms and shared flats in Toronto that can be filtered for student-friendly options.
University of Toronto, UofT Looking Housing, Room Rentals, Sublets Roomate
Toronto Apartments for rent, Housing, Rooms for rent, Roommates, Roomster
Toronto, GTA, Looking Housing, Apartment Room Rentals, Sublets & Roommates
Here are some useful tips to avoid feeling overwhelmed or underprepared.
The last thing you want is any legal or financial surprises. Check out Ontario’s Standard Form of Lease to get a grasp on lease policies. If you have any future issues, Tribunals Ontario provides information on the Residential Tenancies Act.
Toronto’s rental market moves quickly, but legitimate rentals follow a clear process. You should always be able to view the property, review the lease, and understand the terms before making any payment.
Acting quickly in a competitive market is normal — rushing into a deal without verification is not. Always take the time to confirm the listing, review the lease, and ensure the arrangement is legitimate before sending any money.
Government-issued photo ID
Proof of enrolment or acceptance letter from a school
Proof of income or financial support (pay stubs, bank statement, or sponsor letter)
Credit report or credit check (these are often waived for students)
Guarantor or co-signer information, especially for first-time renters
References from a previous landlord or employer (if available)
If you are just landing in Toronto, you may want to choose a short-term option at first. This buys you some time to get a feel for different neighbourhoods. You may even make some new friends at school and decide to do shared housing.
The right furniture balances comfort, practicality, and affordability, and secondhand is often the way to go. Check out the best places to buy good-quality used furniture in Toronto without breaking the bank!
Once you’ve found a place, you can start planning your move. Here are some tips for a smooth student move:
Timing your moving day around lease start dates and orientation will help things go more smoothly.
Coordinate with your roommates to find the best day for everyone, and get together to coordinate furniture, too.
If you’re moving during the school year, plan your move around your workload and exams so the transition fits smoothly into your academic schedule.
Compare moving teams so that you can find a credible company on the date that you want.
Read our full student moving guide for everything you need to know to plan your student move.
The easiest way to book a student-friendly moving service in Toronto is with Wise Move. No one shoe fits all when it comes to moving, and you shouldn't have to pay a full load for a small move. That's where Wise Move comes in, you can compare quotes based on exactly what you need, and read reviews from other students – helping you choosing the best moving team that suits your needs and your budget.
Big life transitions are intense enough; Wise Move helps reduce your moving stress so that you can focus on starting the academic year in the right mindset and space.
Wise Move is Canada’s leading moving service, helping thousands of customers with home moves, furniture removals, car and motorcycle transport, and more. Since 2017, we’ve delivered reliable and affordable moving services across Canada. As one of the country’s trusted moving companies, we make moving simple and stress-free with fixed prices that give customers peace of mind every step of the way.
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