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), and rooms on SubSwap usually run $550 to $900. There's a lot more in the Fredericton guide and the UNB guide.
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, so francophone students at U de Moncton often want a French-speaking roommate, and you can filter for exactly that. One-bedroom apartments average about $1,170/month, and rooms typically run $500 to $850. 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. Of the three cities it's usually the cheapest, with rooms around $500 to $800.
Bilingual matching and cross-city moves
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 search any NB city and filter for French-speaking roommates.
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Frequently asked questions
Which New Brunswick city is cheapest for students?
Saint John usually comes out cheapest of the three main cities, with student rooms around $500 to $800. Moncton and Fredericton also beat Halifax on price.
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. New Brunswick is officially bilingual, and SubSwap lets you filter by language, so francophone students can prioritize French-speaking roommate matches.
What does student rent cost in Moncton?
Per-room student rents in Moncton usually run $500 to $850, and often $600 to $750 near campus. The one-bedroom apartment average sits at about $1,170/month, going by CMHC's October 2025 survey.