Student rent guide for Vancouver

Neighbourhoods near the campuses in Vancouver, how to read an estimate for the type of home you need, and what to check before signing a lease in Vancouver.

By school

Where Vancouver students live

These are starting points. Open each area's page to see the estimated rent range and how much local data supports it. Neighbourhood adjustments are set by hand by FairRent, with no recorded source.

UBC students

The UBC Vancouver campus is at the western tip of the city. Kitsilano and Dunbar are the closest areas with pages here. FairRent's neighbourhood adjustment for Kitsilano: +22% compared with the Vancouver baseline. This is an input to the estimate, not a measured difference.

Compare: Kitsilano, Dunbar.

Source: University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, checked 12 October 2026.

SFU Burnaby students

SFU's main campus is on Burnaby Mountain. Burnaby is the closest area with a page here. Check the trip to campus from a specific address. FairRent's neighbourhood adjustment for Burnaby: -7% compared with the Vancouver baseline. This is an input to the estimate, not a measured difference.

Compare: Burnaby, New Westminster.

Source: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby campus, checked 12 October 2026.

Emily Carr students

Emily Carr University's main campus has been at 520 East 1st Avenue, on Great Northern Way, since 2017. Mount Pleasant and Strathcona are the closest neighbourhoods with pages here, and Commercial Drive is a short trip east. FairRent's neighbourhood adjustment for Mount Pleasant: +4% compared with the Vancouver baseline. This is an input to the estimate, not a measured difference.

Compare: Mount Pleasant, Strathcona, Commercial Drive.

Source: Emily Carr University, our history, checked 2 October 2026.

Roommates

Splitting rent in a student rental in Vancouver

Room size is one common starting point, not a rule. The kitchen, living room and any shared bathroom are used by everyone, so many groups split part of the rent equally. Agree on the method before you sign.
Some roommates pay in proportion to room size, so a room 20 percent smaller than the largest pays about 20 percent less. Others split part of the rent equally and only the rest by room size.
A private bathroom is a good reason to pay a larger share. Agree the amount before signing.
Equal split for utilities and groceries unless usage is wildly different.
Put it in writing. A group chat or email saves arguments later.

Before signing

What to check in a student lease in Vancouver

Is the rent fair for the area? Compare the advertised rent with the estimated rent range on the Vancouver neighbourhood pages. Submit a rent only once you are paying it. Vancouver neighbourhoods.
Is the lease 12 months or 8 months? Some student rentals are priced by the school year. The monthly rent may be higher but the total can be lower.
Who is on the lease? Joint leases mean everyone is responsible. Individual leases mean you are only responsible for your room.
What is the policy for subletting? Plans change. You want flexibility for co-op terms or summer breaks.
What is included? Utilities, internet, laundry, parking. The advertised rent often leaves these out.
Rent increase rules. BC's annual limit applies to many existing tenancies covered by provincial tenancy law. Exceptions and approved additional increases exist. Check the Residential Tenancy Branch's rules for your situation. Rent increase guideline for British Columbia.

Share your Vancouver rent

If you rent in Vancouver, you can report the rent you pay. We never ask for your name, email or exact address.

We use reported rents once there are enough recent ones for the same area and type of home.

Check my rent in Vancouver