# U of A residence costs: what you'll actually pay

U of A's cheapest residence is a $1,033 double, but the mandatory meal plan pushes it to about $1,825 a month. Full residence fees and off-campus costs.

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Housing is the biggest line in most U of A students' budgets, and it's the one you have to decide on before you even get to campus. The good news is Edmonton is one of the more affordable big-city rental markets in Canada, and the U of A sits close to a range of neighbourhoods that fit different budgets. This guide breaks down what on-campus residence costs, what you'll pay off campus, and where the cheap places to live as a U of A student are.

## On-Campus Residence: What It Costs

The U of A runs about 5,200 residence beds across North Campus, Campus Saint-Jean, and Augustana. Residence rent includes utilities, high-speed internet, and tenant insurance, which makes the monthly number look higher than an off-campus rent that leaves those out. The 2026–27 rates are simplified into six unit types:

| Unit type | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Double (shared bedroom) | $1,033 |
| Single (private bedroom, shared bath) | $1,335 |
| Suite (private bedroom and bath) | $1,509 |
| Shared apartment | $1,335 |
| Studio | $1,595 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | $1,996 |

The cheapest on-campus option is a double room in a residence hall at $1,033 a month. But there's a catch: if you live in Lister Residence or Peter Lougheed Hall, the meal plan is mandatory. The 8-month all-access plan runs $6,332, which works out to about $792 a month on top of your room. That pushes the real cost of the cheapest Lister double to roughly $1,825 a month for the school year.

Residence halls without a mandatory meal plan, like Alder and Linden House, let you cook for yourself, which is where the savings come in. If you want the on-campus community without the dining-hall price tag, those are the buildings to look at.

## Meal Plan Options

If you live in Lister Residence or Peter Lougheed Hall, the all-access meal plan is bundled into your residence fees, so you don't buy it separately. The 8-month all-access plan runs $6,332 and gives you unlimited access to the Lister and PLH dining halls from move-in to move-out. You can also buy it for the fall or winter term alone at $3,166 each.

If you live off campus or in a residence without a mandatory plan, you can buy a voluntary meal plan from U of A Dining Services. The all-access option works the same way, and there are also block plans that work like a declining balance of dining hall entries:

| Plan | Cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 7-day all-access | $6,332 | Unlimited access, Aug. 24 to May 1 |
| Fall all-access | $3,166 | Unlimited access, fall term |
| Winter all-access | $3,166 | Unlimited access, winter term |
| 250 swipes | $3,347 + GST | 250 dining hall entries |
| 120 swipes | $1,749 + GST | 120 dining hall entries |
| 50 swipes | $802 + GST | 50 dining hall entries |
| 20 swipes | $339 + GST | 20 dining hall entries |
| 10 swipes | $177 + GST | 10 dining hall entries |

The all-access plans are GST exempt; the block plans are not. Block plan swipes don't expire and carry over until you use them, while all-access plans end at the end of the term. Walk-in rates at the dining halls run $15.50 for breakfast, $19.50 for lunch, and $21.99 for dinner, so a meal plan saves you money if you eat most of your meals on campus.

## Off-Campus: The Cheapest Places to Live Near U of A

Most U of A students live off campus, and the neighbourhood you pick changes your rent by hundreds of dollars a month. The closest areas are the most expensive; a short LRT or bus ride gets you much cheaper.

**Garneau** is the classic student neighbourhood, directly east of North Campus and steps from Whyte Avenue. It's the most convenient and the priciest. Expect $1,450 to $1,650 for a one-bedroom and $1,650 to $2,100 for a two-bedroom in 2026.

**Old Strathcona / Whyte Avenue** sits south of Garneau. Similar prices to Garneau, with more nightlife and restaurants. A one-bedroom runs about $1,250 to $1,550.

**Oliver and Downtown** are a short LRT ride from campus and a bit cheaper. You trade a commute for lower rent and newer buildings.

**Southgate and Century Park** are the value picks. They're on the LRT line, so you can get to campus without a car, and rooms and apartments run well below the campus-adjacent areas. Single rooms here start around $560 to $650 a month.

**Mill Woods** is one of the most affordable family neighbourhoods in the city, with one-bedrooms around $1,150 to $1,350. It's further out, so factor in the commute.

## What a Room or Apartment Actually Costs

If you're willing to share, off-campus housing gets dramatically cheaper than residence. Here's the realistic 2026 range for a U of A student:

| Option | Monthly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared house/apartment | $560 to $800 | Utilities often included. The cheapest way to live near campus. |
| Studio | $850 to $1,200 | Cheapest solo option, especially in Oliver or Southgate. |
| 1-bedroom | $1,250 to $1,650 | Garneau and Old Strathcona sit at the top of this range. |
| 2-bedroom (split) | $875 to $1,050 per person | Splitting a two-bed is usually cheaper per person than a one-bed. |

The math is simple: a room in a shared place at $650 a month beats the cheapest residence double at $1,033, and you're not locked into a $6,332 meal plan. For most students, sharing off campus is the single biggest money-saver available.

## The Hidden Costs to Budget For

Rent is only part of the picture. Off-campus rentals in Edmonton usually don't include utilities, and winter heating in Alberta is not cheap. Budget for:

- **Utilities** (heat, power, water): $100 to $250 a month, more in winter
- **Internet**: $50 to $100 a month
- **Tenant insurance**: $20 to $30 a month (residence includes this; off-campus you buy it)
- **Furniture**: residence is furnished, most off-campus rentals are not
- **Transit**: the U-Pass is included in your student fees, so bus and LRT are covered

A $1,200 one-bedroom can easily become $1,500 a month once you add utilities, internet, and insurance. Compare that against residence, where the listed rate already includes all three.

## How to Keep Housing From Eating Your Budget

A common rule of thumb is to keep housing at or under 30% of your income. On a student budget that's often not realistic, so aim for the cheapest option that still works for you and treat the rest as a trade-off.

- **Share with roommates.** Splitting a two or three-bedroom is almost always cheaper per person than living alone.
- **Look beyond Garneau.** A 20-minute LRT ride can cut your rent by $300 a month.
- **Check the U of A off-campus housing board and Facebook groups.** The [U of A off-campus housing and roommates group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/universityofalbertauaoffcampushousingroommates) is where students post rooms and sublets.
- **Start your search early.** The best-priced rooms near campus go fast in the spring for a September move-in.
- **Read the lease before you sign.** Know whether utilities are included, whether it's furnished, and what the notice period is.

## Residence or Off-Campus: Which Is Right for You?

Residence makes sense if you want the built-in community, the walk to class, and the support of living with other first-years. It's the easiest transition, and the meal plan removes the cooking and grocery shopping entirely. It's also the most expensive option, especially in Lister and PLH where the meal plan is mandatory.

Off-campus makes sense if you want to save money, cook your own food, and have more independence. The trade-off is a commute, a lease, and the work of setting up utilities and furniture.

There's no wrong answer, only the one that fits your budget. If you're weighing the full cost of the year, add up residence rent plus the meal plan, then compare it to off-campus rent plus utilities and groceries. For most students, the off-campus number comes out lower, and the difference is money you can put toward [an emergency fund](/learn/budget-student-income/) or [a TFSA](/learn/tfsa-for-students/) instead.

*Sources: [U of A Residence Services meal plan](https://www.ualberta.ca/en/residence/meal-plan/index.html), [U of A voluntary meal plan](https://www.ualberta.ca/en/residence/meal-plan/voluntary-meal-plan.html), [U of A residence rates](https://www.ualberta.ca/en/residence/our-residences/index.html), [U of A off-campus housing](https://www.ualberta.ca/en/current-students/housing/index.html), [Places4Students U of A guide](https://www.places4students.com/guides/off-campus-housing-near-the-university-of-alberta-edmonton), [Zumper rent research](https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/edmonton-ab).*

Related: [your first week at the U of A](/universities/university-of-alberta/first-week-uofa/) and [the cheapest food on campus](/universities/university-of-alberta/cheapest-food-on-campus/) cover the other big first-year costs.