How to find a roommate in Vancouver as a student
Vancouver rent is brutal, and student residence waitlists are long. So most students who aren't living at home end up sharing a house, a basement suite or a two bedroom with someone. Picking that person well matters more here than almost anywhere, because moving again is expensive.
Your campus decides your neighbourhood
UBC sits out on the Point Grey peninsula and SFU sits on top of Burnaby Mountain, so living "close to campus" means very different things depending on where you study.
- Kitsilano, Point Grey and Dunbar. The UBC areas. Lots of basement suites and shared houses, short bus ride to campus, and pricey.
- Burnaby, around Metrotown and Lougheed. Popular with SFU and BCIT students. Close to the SkyTrain and generally a bit cheaper.
- Commercial Drive and Mount Pleasant. Good transit, good food, and an easy trip to Langara, Emily Carr or downtown campuses.
- Marpole and South Vancouver. Near Langara and the Canada Line, with more family homes renting out suites.
Your U-Pass covers transit, so a cheaper room near a SkyTrain station or a 99 B-Line stop is often the smartest trade.
What a room costs
As a rough ballpark for fall 2026, a room in a shared house or apartment runs about $1,000 to $1,500 a month. Rooms near UBC tend to sit higher, and Burnaby or South Vancouver can come in lower. Always check current listings because the market moves quickly.
BC rules worth knowing
In BC, a landlord can ask for a security deposit of up to half a month's rent, plus up to half a month for a pet. Asking for more isn't allowed. Get a written tenancy agreement, do a move in condition inspection, and keep your copy. The Residential Tenancy Branch handles disputes. One catch: if you rent a room and share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner, the Residential Tenancy Act usually doesn't apply, so you have fewer protections. Ask about that before you sign.
Scams are common here
A cheap Kitsilano suite with photos that look a little too nice, an owner who can't show it in person, and an urgent request for a deposit. You know the pattern. Don't send money for a place you haven't seen. Read our rental scam guide before you start messaging people.
Finding a roommate you'll actually get along with
On SubSwap, everyone verifies with a school email, so you're talking to real students from UBC, SFU, Langara, BCIT, Emily Carr, Capilano and more. You're matched on sleep, cleanliness, guests and budget, and chat only opens when you both swipe right. Once you're living together, sort out money early with our guide on splitting rent and bills.
Find your people in Vancouver.
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 Vancouver cost?
As a rough fall 2026 ballpark, a room in a shared house or apartment is about $1,000 to $1,500 a month. Rooms near UBC tend to cost more, and Burnaby or South Vancouver can be cheaper.
Where do UBC students live off campus?
Mostly in Kitsilano, Point Grey and Dunbar, which are a short bus ride to campus. Many also live farther out along the 99 B-Line or near SkyTrain stations to save money.
How big can a security deposit be in BC?
A landlord can ask for up to half a month's rent as a security deposit, plus up to half a month as a pet deposit. Asking for more isn't allowed under the Residential Tenancy Act.
Am I protected if I rent a room in the owner's house?
Often not. If you share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner, the Residential Tenancy Act usually doesn't apply. Ask about the setup and get the terms in writing either way.