Cost of living in United States compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 11% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| United States | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (C$25) | C$23 | + 10% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (C$13) | C$13 | + 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.82 (C$8) | C$8 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (C$1.46) | C$3.09 | - 53% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.62 (C$6) | C$5.09 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.60 (C$6) | C$4.82 | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (C$9) | C$10 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.25 (C$5.69) | C$4.57 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.20 (C$2.95) | C$3.06 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.49 (C$4.67) | C$3.49 | + 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (C$22) | C$18 | + 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.56 (C$3.43) | C$2.64 | + 30% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.85 (C$3.82) | C$2.99 | + 28% | |
| Housing | + 31% | |||
| Housing in United States is 31% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| United States | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,833 (C$3,798) | C$2,767 | + 37% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,104 (C$2,821) | C$2,238 | + 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $215 (C$288) | C$230 | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,021 (C$2,710) | C$1,941 | + 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,462 (C$1,961) | C$1,559 | + 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $148 (C$198) | C$132 | + 50% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $59 (C$79) | C$71 | + 12% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $292 (C$392) | C$412 | - 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $123 (C$165) | C$198 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (C$18) | C$14 | + 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (C$43) | C$29 | + 47% | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 10% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| United States | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $53 (C$71) | C$81 | - 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $47 (C$63) | C$52 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $94 (C$126) | C$121 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $122 (C$163) | C$147 | + 11% | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in United States is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| United States | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,034 (C$36,247) | C$29,448 | + 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.14 (C$1.53) | C$1.83 | - 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (C$105) | C$111 | - 5% | |
| Personal Care | + 23% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 23% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| United States | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (C$10) | C$13 | - 21% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $23 (C$31) | C$30 | + 3% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $136 (C$183) | C$101 | + 80% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (C$11) | C$9 | + 21% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.61 (C$6) | C$6 | - 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.80 (C$8) | C$5.78 | + 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.67 (C$6) | C$4.13 | + 52% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.14 (C$2.87) | C$3.08 | - 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (C$36) | C$31 | + 19% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| United States | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $53 (C$71) | C$68 | + 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (C$37) | C$31 | + 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $194 (C$260) | C$205 | + 26% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $92 (C$123) | C$109 | + 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (C$18) | C$13 | + 36% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.55 (C$7) | C$5.08 | + 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (C$9) | C$8 | + 16% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $524 (C$703) | C$770 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (C$0.26) | C$0.43 | - 39% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $57 (C$77) | C$59 | + 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (C$13) | C$17 | - 23% | |
| TOTAL | + 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 06, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.341
CAD
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 25,882 prices entered by 3,690 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 14% more expensive than in Canada
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