Student housing in New Brunswick: Moncton, Fredericton & Saint John
New Brunswick costs less than Nova Scotia, it's officially bilingual, and its students are split across three cities that don't feel much alike. Here's where people actually live in each one, and what they pay.
Fredericton: the hill
Fredericton has the tightest student market in the province, and the reason is simple: UNB and St. Thomas sit on the same hilltop campus. Most students pile onto College Hill and Skyline Acres, which are closest to campus, though Forest Hill, the South Side, and downtown all get their share. The North Side and Nashwaaksis cost less, but you're looking at a bus or a bike ride across the Westmorland Street Bridge. One-bedroom apartments average about $1,208/month (CMHC, October 2025). UNB's graduate studies office tells students to budget $700 to $1,500 a month for shared off-campus housing with utilities. Where you land in that range depends on whether you take a room in a shared house or a whole apartment. There's a lot more in the Fredericton guide and in our rundown of the best neighbourhoods for UNB students.
Moncton: the tri-community
Greater Moncton is really three places: Moncton, Dieppe, and Riverview. Students are spread across Université de Moncton, Crandall, and NBCC. If you want to be closest to U de Moncton, look at Centre-ville and Sunny Brae. Dieppe and Riverview are quieter and cheaper, and the commute isn't bad. New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, and francophone students at U de Moncton often want a French-speaking roommate. If that's you, say so in your bio. One-bedroom apartments average about $1,170/month (CMHC, October 2025), and a room in a shared house costs a lot less than that. Have a look at the Moncton guide.
Saint John: uptown
UNB Saint John has a smaller, more contained rental scene than Fredericton does. Uptown you'll find older character apartments within walking distance of King Street, and the streets around Tucker Park Road give you the shortest commute to campus. There are fewer student rooms here than in Fredericton, so start looking early.
Moving between NB cities
NB students move between cities all the time. Picture a Mount Allison student from Sackville doing a co-op in Moncton, or a Fredericton student spending a summer in Saint John. A regional marketplace handles all of that. On SubSwap you can look near your own school, switch to another city like Moncton or Sackville, or search all of New Brunswick at once. Saint John isn't its own area in the app yet, so UNB Saint John students should pick New Brunswick to see the whole province.
Find your place in days, not months.
SubSwap connects verified Atlantic Canadian students for subleases and roommate matching. Free to join with your school email.
Frequently asked questions
Which New Brunswick city is cheapest for students?
Going by CMHC's October 2025 one-bedroom averages, Moncton (about $1,170/month) comes in a little under Fredericton (about $1,208/month), and both are well below Halifax (about $1,539/month). Saint John is a smaller market, so check what's listed there before you compare.
Where do UNB and St. Thomas students live in Fredericton?
Most live on or just below the shared hill. College Hill and Skyline Acres are closest, and Forest Hill, the South Side, and downtown are common too. The North Side is cheaper, but it's across the river.
Can I find a French-speaking roommate at Université de Moncton?
Yes. There's no language filter in the app, so say in your bio that you want a French-speaking roommate and pick Moncton as your area.
What does student rent cost in Moncton?
The one-bedroom apartment average sits at about $1,170/month, going by CMHC's October 2025 survey. A room in a shared house costs a lot less than that, which is why most students split a place. Check what's listed near your campus before you set a budget.