Cost of Living in Canada

Canada is a popular choice amongst immigrants for its natural scenic beauty, huge unpopulated areas, vibrant cities, multicultural atmosphere, and many employment opportunities for the young and talented workforce. Moreover, it has a strong history of accepting immigrants and assisting them in assimilating into society.

If you are considering settling in Canada, the first thing you should evaluate is :

• How much will it cost to settle, and how much will it cost to live after you land there?

Hence, follow the statistics below to help yourself get acquainted with the information regarding the living expenses in Canada.

What is the average cost of living in Canada?

The cost of living in Canada is mostly determined by where you choose to live. The majority of the products will have the same price in each province; however, some may differ. Food, clothing, transportation, health insurance, groceries, and other monthly costs are typically included in the average cost of living. According to a survey, most Canadians spend 35 percent to 50 percent of their income on housing and utilities, and this includes the rent or mortgage payment. It also frequently entails hefty heating costs and paying for electricity, phone service, and water.

What are the most expensive cities to live in Canada?

Mentioned below are the top 5 cities in Canada that are known for how expensive they are:

1. Vancouver, British Columbia
2. Toronto, Ontario
3. Montreal, Quebec
4. Calgary, Alberta
5. Ottawa, Ontario

What are the cheapest cities to live in Canada?

Mentioned below are some cheapest provinces in Canada.

1. Surrey, British Columbia
2. Halifax, Nova Scotia
3. Kelowna, British Columbia
4. Edmonton, Alberta
5. Kitchener, Ontario

What is the average rent in Canada?

Immigrants who come to settle in Canada generally prefer to stay in rented accommodation for a while before purchasing a home. The cost of renting a home varies by the city in Canada, and in Canada, the average monthly rent for a room is at least 350 CAD. However, renting larger flats or houses might cost up to 2000 CAD per month.

Rent will usually account for 35 to 50 percent of your monthly expenses. Below is a table that shows the rent in several of Canada’s most popular cities.

Healthcare cost in Canada

Canada is famously known for its free healthcare system, which means you won’t have to pay anything for medical visits or visits to the emergency department. It is supported by the country’s tax system. However, it is necessary to remember that the free healthcare system is presently only available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Travel and transportation costs in Canada

In Canada, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of biking. Recently, it was discovered that 20% of commuters prefer to ride their bikes to work during the summer months. However, residents in big cities use public transportation, but vehicles remain the most popular mode of transportation. It’s also worth mentioning that, because Canada is such a vast nation, vehicles and trains are insufficient for certain lengthy journeys, particularly coast to coast.

Cost of Education in Canada

Children up to the age of 18 in Canada have access to a free public education system. Refer to the table below for a general estimate of higher education costs in Canada.

Cost of living in Canada – Some provinces and cities

When it comes to being financially secure, everyone has their own criteria. Hence, mentioned below are some average estimates of the cost of living in some of the popular places in Canada.

Cost of living in Ontario 

With over 14.7 million residents, Ontario is Canada’s largest province and one of the most costly per capita. Without rent, a Canadian family’s average monthly cost of food, energy, and communication services is $348, $130, and $166, respectively. In Ontario, telecommunication services such as television, phone, and internet cost an average of $168 a month, and the average rent is roughly 1700 CAD.

Cost of living in Toronto

Toronto is one of the most expensive cities in Canada to live in, as it is home to many Canadian head offices and well-paying office positions. The average monthly rent in Toronto is about 1900 CAD. A long and expensive commute is also part of living in Toronto. In comparison to other Ontario cities, the quality of public transportation in Toronto is excellent, including subways, city buses, streetcars, and buses from the suburbs.

Cost of living in Ottawa

The average monthly rent in cost of living for two individuals in a two-bedroom apartment is 1500 CAD per month, including electricity and communication service expenses. Although Ottawa’s public transit system isn’t as extensive as Toronto’s, a monthly adult pass will cost you around 122.50 CAD.

Cost of living in Alberta

Alberta has greater average incomes and no provincial sales tax. Alberta is a good area to raise a family because of its low cost of living, which is anchored by low rentals across the province and low gas costs. For example, the monthly rent in Calgary, Alberta, is about 1300 CAD for a two-bedroom apartment. However, people in Alberta pay some of the highest prices in Canada for basic essentials like food and power.

Cost of living in British Columbia

The cost of living in British Columbia is among the highest in the country. For example, a two-bedroom apartment in Vancouver, British Columbia, costs approximately 1700 CAD per month.

How much do average Canadians make? 

Various components determine a person’s pay. However, a person in Canada, on average, earns around 42,206 Canadian dollars per month.