OCAD University doesn’t have an on-campus residence. That surprises a lot of incoming students, because most Ontario schools have at least one residence building. Instead, OCAD points students to a set of partner residences and co-ops near campus, plus the downtown rental market. The campus at 100 McCaul Street sits in one of the densest rental areas in Canada, which cuts both ways: lots of options, and prices that climb the closer you live to class.
Partner residences near campus
OCAD U doesn’t own or run any of these, but it recommends them and some offer perks for OCAD students:
| Residence | Address | Distance from campus | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Darcy | 140 D’Arcy St | about 750 m | Special incentives for OCAD U students |
| Avant | 50 Gerrard St E | 1.3 km | Private student residence |
| HOEM | 186 Jarvis St | 1.6 km | Student residence, all-inclusive |
| Parkside | 111 Carlton St | 1.6 km | Student residence with a dining plan |
| Neill-Wycik Co-op | 96 Gerrard St E | 1.4 km | Student housing co-op, usually cheaper |
| Campus Co-op | various houses | 1.8 km | Co-op living, shared houses |
The co-ops (Neill-Wycik and Campus Co-op) are the value picks. You get a room and shared space at a rate that usually undercuts private residences, and you’re not signing a standard condo lease. The Darcy is the closest option and the only one with incentives written for OCAD students, so ask about them when you inquire.
HOEM, the newest of the bunch, runs all-inclusive with furnished rooms, utilities, and internet. Budget for a 12-month lease though, which means paying through the summer whether you’re in Toronto or not.
What rent actually costs near OCAD U
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OCAD’s campus sits between the Grange Park, Kensington Market, and Chinatown neighbourhoods, with the AGO and the Art Gallery of Ontario down the street. Realistic 2026 ranges:
| Option | Monthly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared house/apartment | $900 to $1,400 | The cheapest way to live near campus |
| Kensington / Chinatown room | $900 to $1,600 | Walk to class, older buildings, variable quality |
| Studio / bachelor | around $1,900 | Cheapest solo option downtown |
| 1-bedroom | $1,800 to $2,300 | Downtown Toronto pricing |
| 2-bedroom (split) | roughly $1,000 to $1,200 per person | Cheaper per person than a one-bed |
Rooms in Kensington Market and Chinatown go fast and the buildings are older, so see the place in person or on a video call before you send money. Listings without an in-person or live-video viewing are the classic Toronto rental scam setup.
How to actually find a place
OCAD U doesn’t run its own listings service, so use the tools the school points to:
- Places4Students and 4stay, both linked from OCAD’s housing page, list rooms and apartments aimed at students.
- U of T’s off-campus housing site is also open to OCAD students, and U of T is a 15-minute walk away, so many listings there are near both schools.
- Homestay programs like Canada HomeShare and Canada Homestay Network place students with local hosts, which includes rent and usually some meals. It’s the cheapest option of all for first-year students new to Toronto.
- Facebook groups and student sublet boards carry rooms and term-by-term sublets, which are a good deal if you only need housing for the fall and winter terms.
Budgeting for the move
Rent is only the start. Off-campus rentals in Toronto often exclude utilities, so budget for:
- Utilities: $100 to $200 a month, more in winter
- Internet: $50 to $100 a month
- Tenant insurance: $20 to $30 a month
- First and last month’s rent: Toronto landlords ask for both up front, so have two months of rent saved before you sign
A shared room near campus at $1,100 a month plus utilities runs you about $14,000 a year, and it’s the cheapest realistic option within walking distance of 100 McCaul. Whatever number you land on, our guide to budgeting as a student covers how to make it fit.
The bottom line
There’s no residence at OCAD U, but there doesn’t need to be. Start with the co-ops if cost is the priority, The Darcy if proximity is, and a shared Kensington or Chinatown room if you want the full downtown-artist experience at the lowest price. Search early, because the good rooms near campus go fast in the spring for a September move-in.
Related: your first week at OCAD U and the cheapest food near campus cover the rest of your first-year budget.
Sources
This guide is general information for Canadian students, not personalized financial advice. Program rules and dollar amounts change, so confirm the details with the official government source before acting on them.
