How to find a roommate in Toronto as a student
Toronto is the hardest city in the country to find a student room in, and it isn't close. Rent is high, the good rooms go in a day or two, and the listings are full of people who want a deposit before you've seen anything. Splitting a place with the right roommate is how most students make it work.
Why almost every Toronto student ends up with roommates
A one bedroom anywhere near downtown costs more than most student budgets can carry alone. So the real choice isn't roommates or no roommates. It's whether you pick them yourself or get stuck with whoever answers a listing first. Two or three students sharing a unit is the normal setup around U of T, TMU and OCAD, and in the house shares up near York.
Where students actually live
- The Annex and Harbord Village. The classic U of T St. George area. Walkable, old houses split into units, and competitive every single August.
- Kensington Market, Chinatown and Little Italy. Close to campus, lively, a little cheaper if you don't mind noise and older buildings.
- Church and Wellesley, Corktown, Moss Park. Popular with TMU students who want to walk to class.
- The Village at York and Downsview. House shares near York and Humber North are cheaper, but check the commute and the landlord carefully, since this area gets a lot of overcrowded rooming houses.
- Scarborough and Mississauga. If you're at UTSC or UTM, live near your own campus. Commuting downtown and back is a long day.
The TTC makes it possible to live farther out and still get to class, so a cheaper room on a subway line can beat a pricey one that's technically closer.
What a room costs
As a rough ballpark for fall 2026, a room in a shared apartment or house runs about $1,000 to $1,500 a month depending on how central it is and whether utilities are in. Basement rooms and places farther up the subway lines come in under that. Prices move fast in Toronto, so check current listings before you set a budget with a roommate.
Know the Ontario rules before you sign
Most Ontario rentals have to use the Ontario Standard Lease. Landlords can ask for a last month's rent deposit but not a separate damage deposit. If someone wants first, last and a "security" deposit on top, that's a red flag. Disputes go to the Landlord and Tenant Board. And if only one of you is on the lease, the other is in a weaker spot, so try to get every roommate named.
Scams to watch for
The Toronto version usually goes like this: a great room at a below market price, a landlord who's "out of the country," and a request to e-transfer a deposit to hold it. Never pay before you've seen the place in person or on a live video call where you can ask them to open a closet or look out a window. Our guide to rental scams covers the rest.
Finding someone you can actually live with
Facebook groups and Kijiji are full of people, but you have no idea who's a real student. On SubSwap, everyone signs up with a school email, so the person you're matched with is actually at U of T, TMU, York, OCAD, George Brown, Humber or another school. You get matched on habits like sleep, cleanliness, guests and budget, and you only chat after you both swipe right. Before you sign anything together, run through our questions to ask a roommate.
Find your people in Toronto.
SubSwap matches verified students across Canada with roommates who fit how they live. Free to join with your school email.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a student room in Toronto cost?
As a rough fall 2026 ballpark, a room in a shared apartment or house is about $1,000 to $1,500 a month. Basement rooms and spots farther out on the subway lines are usually cheaper. Check current listings, since Toronto prices change quickly.
Where do U of T students live?
St. George students mostly live in the Annex, Harbord Village, Kensington Market, Chinatown and Little Italy. UTSC and UTM students are usually better off living near their own campus.
Can a Toronto landlord ask for a damage deposit?
In Ontario, a landlord can collect a rent deposit of up to one month's rent, usually used as last month's rent, plus a refundable key deposit. A separate damage or security deposit isn't allowed.
How do I find a roommate in Toronto safely?
Use a platform that verifies students, meet or video call before committing, and never send a deposit for a place you haven't seen. SubSwap verifies everyone with a school email and only opens chat after a mutual match.