Trying to decide if Toronto or Vancouver is better for you as an international student? Well, let’s see how these two stack up regarding essential aspects that will make a better experience of living in a foreign land.

If you’re looking for the best educational experience, Toronto and Vancouver both offer quality education. Although, the former is home to Canada’s highest-ranking university, the University of Toronto. 

But if you want a more affordable option, Vancouver universities are cheaper than Toronto by 26.77%. 

Overall, your decision will be based on your preferences. To help you out, we’ll compare their cost of living, educational opportunities, diversity, safety, and more. Read on! 

Educational Opportunities for International Students in Toronto vs. Vancouver

You can get easily persuaded by their world-class universities and programs.

Here are a few universities in Vancouver and Toronto:

Both cities offer a variety of programs that stretch from arts to business to sciences. 

And competitively speaking, Toronto provides a higher quality of education and more experience handling many international students.

Tuition Fees in Toronto vs. Vancouver

Tuition fees for international students in Vancouver can range from $11,000 to $50,000. Although, the total costs depend on the institution, course, program, and level of education.

Meanwhile, tuition fees in Toronto can range from $15,000 to $30,000 annually. 

Plus, if you’re aiming for law or medicine, the costs are bound to be more expensive! 

That said, international students can explore external scholarship opportunities from their home countries, international organizations, foundations, and private donors that support students studying in Canada.

Here’s a list of possible scholarships from the Canadian Government that you can apply for in both Vancouver and Toronto:

On the other hand, there are private scholarships that are available in some universities. Here are some options:

Immigration for International Students in Toronto vs. Vancouver

Here are some options for international students:

You could easily look up more scholarship programs or directly inquire about universities for opportunities that will fit your aim and background. The ones on the list only scratch the surface of the many possible ways out there!

Cost of Living in Toronto vs. Vancouver

The cost of living is essential when deciding where to study, especially for international students. It matters a lot more compared to if you were a resident. Some necessary expenses are rent, utilities, food, and transportation.

Let’s compare the average monthly expenses in Vancouver and Toronto:

The overall 0.2% difference between Toronto and Vancouver —Toronto being more expensive — may not seem much until you add all of this into monthly or annual expenses. 

So we suggest you have a clear picture of your budget before choosing a city to avoid skipping meals once you get there.

Job Opportunities in Toronto vs. Vancouver

It’s no secret that many international students want a job during their stay, and some need it to help them during their studies.

Here is the minimum wage in both cities to give you an idea of what to expect when applying for a job as an international student:

Next, let’s take a look at some top job opportunities for international students:

• On-Campus Jobs: You can apply for on-campus positions at universities or colleges. These jobs include working at the library, campus bookstore, student services, or as a research or teaching assistant. 

Conveniently, an on-campus job is a great way to earn if you need something that can work around your schedule.

• Off-Campus Jobs: For instance, you can go for industries like retail, hospitality, food services, customer service, and administration. 

• Co-op and Internship Programs: These programs allow students to gain hands-on work experience in their field of study. 

It involves partnerships with local companies and organizations, so you can take advantage of this and go for a company you want to work for.

• Work-Study Programs: Work-study programs are initiatives by institutions wherein students can work part-time on campus or with community organizations.
  

As a heads up, research the requirements you’ll need to work, like a work permit. There are different requirements for on-campus, off-campus, and internships.

Although there may be more restrictions for immigrants or international students when it comes to working, at the end of the day, there are still plenty of employers willing to hire you!

Public Transportation in Toronto vs. Vancouver

Here’s a quick rundown of the public transportation system in Vancouver and Toronto:

As you can see, Vancouver’s transit systems cover a wider area and have more convenient means of switching modes of transportation. 

Although Toronto has reliable transit, considering the city is two and a half times bigger than Vancouver, the limited area coverage may challenge you to get from points A to B.

Thus, you would have less difficulty navigating the city with the Vancouver transit system. 

In addition, Vancouver transit fares are also cheaper than Toronto and lesser with student discounts.

Here’s a short list of price ranges for public transportation in Vancouver and Toronto:

Accommodations in Toronto vs. Vancouver

International students have several accommodation options based on their preferences, budget, and lifestyle.

Let’s go through some accommodation options for international students:

• On-Campus Housing: Typically, these are furnished rooms with shared amenities such as common areas, study rooms, and laundry rooms.
  
• Homestays: It involves living with a local Canadian family in their home. You get to experience Canadian culture firsthand, practice English, and receive support from your host family.
  
• Off-Campus Rentals: For instance, shared apartments or houses where students rent and share common areas with other tenants.
  
• Purpose-Built Student Accommodations (PBSAs): PBSAs are privately-owned accommodations for students. These are similar to on-campus housing. 

• Renting Apartments or Condos: Some students may opt to rent their apartments or condos in Vancouver. Although this option offers better privacy and independence, it usually has a pricier tag.
  

As for accommodation costs, Vancouver and Toronto are pretty close to each other. 

Here’s a comparison table of their monthly accommodation costs:

The gap is not that big, but Vancouver has cheaper accommodation rates than Toronto, especially with city-proper rentals since you’re closer to necessary establishments.

Demographics in Toronto vs. Vancouver

The demographics of a city play an important role, especially for international students who seek belongingness. On that note, being in a diverse city can help you find a community you feel comfortable with.

For this, we made a table with stats gathered from World Population Review. 

Impressively, Vancouver has over 989,545 immigrants taking up almost 41% of the city’s population. You’ll get to meet people from different places, and the top countries include China, India, the UK, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

And a fun fact, Vancouver has a large Asian population and a Chinese community. Vancouver’s Chinatown has also made a name for itself, being the second largest in North America and a popular attraction.

Meanwhile, according to a report from Statistics Canada, Toronto takes the cake as the most diverse Canadian city. It’s also considered the top destination for immigrants.

That said, you shouldn’t worry about being the “new kid” in town just because you’re from a different country since both cities have more diverse students than other countries.

Culture in Toronto vs. Vancouver

As an insider scoop on their culture, the city has an impressive arts and music scene, with places like the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Opera, and Arts Club Theatre Company. You can check out upcoming theatre events to explore more.

And naturally, they host many festivals and events like the Vancouver International Film Festival and Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

Here’s a list of places and theatres that showcase both cities’ cultural experience:

Good news for film-junkies, Toronto is well-known for being a film, television, and digital media center. It even makes a record-breaking $2.5 billion contribution to the Toronto economy.

And it’s only appropriate that there are initiatives to showcase these cultures; fortunately, they organize festivals. Some include the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Pride Toronto, and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Being immersed in their culture can help you have a better outlook on both cities and appreciate the place more beyond your studies.

Safety in Toronto vs. Vancouver

To be comfortable enough to study or walk around the city, feeling safe and secure is crucial. 

For a breakdown of the Crime Severity Index (CSI) that monitors the severity level of police-reported crime, according to Canada Crime Index, see the table below:

To show you the perceived crime comparison level between Toronto and Vancouver, we also sourced information from Numbeo. Do note that below are survey data and are subject to change with more respondents over time.

In addition, international students are bound to walk alone most of the time to go to and from universities and other places. To show the safety rate for walking alone during daylight and night, see the table below:

Vancouver may be a safer choice when it comes to the crime rates and the nature of crimes; however, nothing beats staying vigilant and being aware of your surroundings no matter where you are.

Vancouver vs Toronto: How They Stack Up

To sum up, both cities are excellent choices for international students who prefer to study in Canada.

Although, technically, Vancouver one-ups Toronto on our list of elements, more is needed to rule out that one is better. Both cities are tied in almost everything, from immigration to job opportunities.

Ultimately, it all comes down to your preference, convenience and lifestyle. Let’s review the different factors and suggestions we have for each city: