Living in Niagara

The city of St. Catharines — home to Brock University — is situated in the heart of Niagara.

With a population of approximately 130,000, St. Catharines is a friendly, mid-sized community within easy reach of major cities such as Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Buffalo, New York.

The local community offers a wealth of entertainment, recreational and cultural activities. St. Catharines provides Brock students with all the advantages of a prosperous urban centre located in a safe, inviting and affordable community.

The Niagara Region has a strong public and private sector transportation infrastructure, including bus and rail links to Toronto and Buffalo. Busing within the region consists of links from the campus to surrounding communities, and a St. Catharines bus pass is included with each student’s registration package. On-campus parking is available with the purchase of a parking pass. Two international airports and two regional airports are within an hour’s drive.

It all comes together to make St. Catharines an excellent and affordable place to live, work and study!

Living expenses

The following expenses reflect the average estimate of costs per year for a single person living in St. Catharines (typically three terms per academic year). The Niagara Region has one of the lowest costs of living in Ontario.

ItemCost
Housing costs (room or one-bedroom apartment)$7,000 (room) – $15,000 (one-bedroom apt.)
Books and supplies (varies by course and program)$750 – $1,000
Food and personal items$6,000 – $7,500
Telephone/cable/internet$1,000 – $1,200
Clothing$300 – $700
Transportation (excludes Brock bus pass)$200 – $700
Miscellaneous (i.e. medicine, eyeglasses, entertainment)$2,000 – $2,200
TOTAL$17,250 – $28,300