Travels

Cost Of Living In Canada

6:42 AM

Canada flag city view

Universal public health care, an advanced social government, a reputation for compassion, and a perfect environment for cyclists, skiers, fishermen, artists, and urban residents. 

It is clear why so many people worldwide dreamed about moving to Canada.

How much does it cost to move to Canada, and what is the cost of living after you get there--- especially if you’re moving to a major city?

This guide will help you learn about the costs of living in Canada and staying in any of the country’s six time zones.


How Expensive is Canada Compared to Other Countries?

To know if Canada is more expensive or not compared to other parties, here are factors you need to consider:

  • Exchange Rates Matter: Knowing the exchange rate helps you budget how much Canadian cash you'll need.
  • Fees to Consider: Banks and exchange companies might add fees on top of the base exchange rate.
  • Use a Mid-Market Rate Checker: This will show you the real exchange rate so you can avoid hidden fees.
  • Local Lingo: Once you’ve been working with the currency exchange, you’ll have a bank account full of Canadian dollars, usually only called dollars or “loonies” by locals.

The most common way to denote money in Canada is with a dollar sign ($). However, it can also be written as Can$ or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-based currencies, such as CAD.

Compared to a few major currencies, the list below shows the approximate value of Canadian dollars as of this writing:

  • £1000 equals $1705.71
  • $1,000 equals C$1324.94
  • €1000 equals $1460.64
Toronto night show

Comparing the Cost of Living


Toronto, Canada

A one-bedroom flat in the city will cost you around C$1640 a month, a meal for two will cost you around C$70, and public transport will vary depending on the service, but you are looking at C$145 a month.

Montreal, Canada

A one-bedroom flat in the city will cost you around C$1000 a month, a meal for two will cost you around C$60, and public transport will vary depending on the service, but you are looking at close to C$85 a month.

London, United Kingdom

A one-bedroom flat in the city will cost you around C$2800 a month, a meal for two will cost you around C$92, and public transport will vary depending on the service, but you are looking at close to C$220 a month.

New York City, USA

A one-bedroom flat in the city will cost you around C$3900 a month, a meal for two will cost you around C$9,5, and public transport will vary depending on the service, but you are looking at close to C$150 a month.

Berlin, Germany

A one-bedroom flat in the city will cost you around C$1100 a month, a meal for two will cost you around C$6,0, and public transport will vary depending on the service, but you are looking at close to C$120 a month.

Sydney, Australia

A one-bedroom flat in the city will cost you around C$2700 a month, a meal for two will cost you around C$80, and public transport will vary depending on the service, but you are looking at close to C$160 a month.

Canada red mug held by woman

Which of the major cities in Canada is the most expensive?

The cost of cities across Canada can vary widely. The cities below list the top five most expensive cities in Canada to live in:

  1. Vancouver, British Columbia
  2. Toronto, Ontario
  3. Victoria, British Columbia
  4. Calgary, Alberta
  5. Hamilton-Burlington, Ontario

Salary Average in Canada

Keeping the cost of living in mind, the other key factor is how much you’ll make. Depending on where you choose to live in Canada, your salary can vary considerably as employers make up for their city’s value. If you aren’t planning on keeping your job at home, the following stats will give you a rough idea of the salary you should expect in Montreal or Toronto.

Toronto


  • Cashier: $ 21,100
  • Copywriter: $ 35,200
  • Financial Analyst: $52,000
  • Graphic Designer: $38,000
  • Product Manager: $70,000
  • Receptionist: $24,000
  • Software Engineer: $58,000
  • Teacher: $40,000

Montreal


  • Cashier: $ 16,300
  • Copywriter: $ 33,500
  • Financial Analyst: $42,800
  • Graphic Designer: $33,800
  • Product Manager: $59,400
  • Receptionist: $22,500
  • Software Engineer: $52,100
  • Teacher: $37,900

Canadian troops marching

Cost of Housing and Accommodation

Regardless of where you move in the world, rent will always be one of the most critical items of your budget, typically 35% to 50% of your monthly expenses. In three of Canada’s biggest cities, the following figures detail rental prices (In Canadian Dollars)

Montreal


  • Large Apartment: $1100
  • Medium Apartment: $860
  • Small Apartment: $640
  • Student Dorm Room: $550
  • Internet: $40

Toronto


  • Large Apartment: $1700
  • Medium Apartment: $1400
  • Small Apartment: $1100
  • Student Dorm Room: $600
  • Internet: $40

Calgary


  • Large Apartment: $1400
  • Medium Apartment: $1100
  • Small Apartment: $900
  • Student Dorm Room: $460
  • Internet: $50

bike on a wall with maple leaf sign

Dental and Health Care in Canada

One of Canada’s main selling points is the free healthcare programme, which means you won’t be charged for appointments to doctors, dentists, ear checkups, the emergency room, or any other medical treatment.

Like most countries with this kind of healthcare, it is funded by the country’s tax system. To retain the no-cost programme, the average person spends about C$4,200 a year, while a family of four costs about C$11,800.

While taxes at that point may seem pretty high for foreigners, Canadians generally accept that it’s not too much to pay for the fairly free healthcare system, as they can retain relatively good health.

surgeons in scrub suit in operating room

The Travel and Transportation Prices in Canada

Canadians tend to drive everywhere, much like their southern counterparts in the U.S. That said, biking’s popularity at work is on the rise. 

In fact, some neighbourhoods in Halifax, Vancouver, and Quebec City see 20 percent of travellers coming to work by bike, although this statistic drops significantly through the cold winter months.

It is also common for people in major cities to use public transportation, buses, and trains, while cars are king in the Canadian commute. 

Also noteworthy is the prevalence of air travel, as Canada is a large country, and more than cars and trains are needed for longer trips, particularly from coast to coast.

  • Gasoline (1 litre / 0.25 gallon) $1.02
  • Monthly Bus/Transport Pass $91
  • Bus Ticket, Single Use $3.15
  • Taxi Tariff, 30 Minutes $16
  • Toyota Corolla, New $21,449
  • VW Golf, New $23,000

Air Canada airplanes at the airport

Cost of Education

Like most other nations, Canadians enjoy a free public school system for children up to 18 years of age. 

Prices in Canada are relatively low for higher education compared to U.S. schools, although they are somewhat less competitive than in European countries, where universities are often government-subsidized. 

The table below will give you an idea of the cost of education in Canada.

  • Preschool / Kindergarten: $12,204
  • Private school for lower grades: $16,000
  • University of Toronto tuition: $6,400 (residents)/ $44,020 (non-residents)
  • York University tuition: $7,312 (residents)/ $22,417 (non-residents)

Canada has always been regarded as a great place to live. 

Depending on where you choose to stay, it can be very cheap for its relatively high quality of life. In the major cities, too, Canada appears to be more accessible, not to mention Tim Horton, hockey, and hills.

Canada school

How can eTA Canada Help?

You may apply on this website for your Canada Electronic Travel Authorization with our online form, and an eTA is valid for five years. If the eTA and your passport remain valid, you may fly freely to Canada anytime. If you have any further questions regarding our services or Canada, please look at our FAQ page or our blog.

Wait! I've got more stories for you...

0 comments

Trouble posting your comment in the box below? Please comment here instead.