Housing is the biggest line in most Western students’ budgets, and it’s the one you have to decide on before you even get to campus. The good news is London is one of the more affordable rental markets in southern Ontario, and Western 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 Western student are.
On-Campus Residence: What It Costs
Western runs about 6,100 residence beds across 12 first-year buildings, from traditional halls to suite-style residences. 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 two room types, and the range reflects the building you pick:
| Room type | 8-month rate | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Shared double bedroom | $10,260 to $12,910 | $1,283 to $1,614 |
| Single private bedroom | $11,040 to $13,620 | $1,380 to $1,703 |
The cheapest on-campus option is a shared double in Medway-Sydenham or Saugeen-Maitland Hall at $10,260 for the school year, about $1,283 a month. But there’s a catch: the meal plan is mandatory in first-year buildings, with one exception. Lambton Hall is the only first-year residence where you can skip it.
The meal plan runs on a declining balance on your Western ONEcard. The two options for 2026–27 are $8,300 and $7,700. Add the cheaper plan to the cheapest double and the real cost of residence is about $17,960 for the year, or roughly $2,245 a month. That’s the number to compare against off-campus rent.
Off-Campus: The Cheapest Places to Live Near Western
Most Western 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 bus ride gets you much cheaper. Western’s own off-campus housing service maps the neighbourhoods that border campus.
Old North is the classic student neighbourhood, directly east of the main campus and King’s University College. It’s the most convenient and the priciest. Rooms here run about $675 to $900 a month, and it’s steps from the Richmond Street bus routes and the bars and restaurants near the university gates.
Near West borders the west side of campus, next to Huron and Brescia. It’s a mix of detached homes and apartment buildings, and rooms run about $700 to $800 a month. It’s a short walk or bus ride to class.
Masonville sits north of campus, with townhouses, condos, and high-rise apartments around Masonville Place mall. You get Loblaws, Farm Boy, and a movie theatre nearby. Rooms run about $675 to $1,000 a month, with the newer apartment buildings at the top end.
Near South borders the south side of campus, with detached homes and walk-up apartments. It’s a bit further from the main gates but still an easy commute.
Downtown is south of Oxford Street, with high-rise apartments, the VIA Rail station, and the densest retail and nightlife in the city. You trade a longer commute for the most amenities.
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 Western student, based on Western’s off-campus listings and London market data:
| Option | Monthly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared house/apartment | $675 to $1,000 | Utilities often included. The cheapest way to live near campus. |
| Studio | $1,300 to $1,400 | Cheapest solo option, especially in Near West or Old North. |
| 1-bedroom | $1,600 to $1,700 | Old North and the newer buildings sit at the top of this range. |
| 2-bedroom (split) | $1,000 to $1,100 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 $700 a month beats the cheapest residence double at $1,283, and you’re not locked into a $7,700 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 London usually don’t include utilities, and Ontario winters mean real heating bills. 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 bus pass is included in your tuition and fees, so London Transit is covered
A $1,600 one-bedroom can easily become $1,900 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 Old North. A 15-minute bus ride to Near West or Masonville can cut your rent by $200 a month.
- Check Western’s off-campus housing board and Facebook groups. Western runs its own off-campus housing listing service where students and landlords post rooms and sublets, and it’s where the best-priced places near campus show up.
- 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 because the meal plan is mandatory in almost every first-year building.
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 or a TFSA instead.
Related: your first week at Western and the cheapest food on campus cover the other big first-year costs.
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.
