Cost of living in United States compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | + 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (C$19) | C$19 | + 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (C$10) | C$11 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.25 (C$5.38) | C$7 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (C$1.12) | C$2.24 | - 50% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.94 (C$3.71) | C$3.94 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.11 (C$5.19) | C$4.84 | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (C$8) | C$10 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.30 (C$4.18) | C$3.91 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.68 (C$2.13) | C$2.54 | - 16% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.30 (C$4.18) | C$3.16 | + 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (C$18) | C$18 | - 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.99 (C$2.52) | C$2.30 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.06 (C$2.60) | C$2.04 | + 28% | |
| Housing | + 27% | |||
| Housing in United States is 27% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,217 (C$2,805) | C$2,074 | + 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,558 (C$1,972) | C$1,567 | + 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 (C$224) | C$169 | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,546 (C$1,957) | C$1,579 | + 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,123 (C$1,421) | C$1,090 | + 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $113 (C$143) | C$112 | + 27% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $50 (C$63) | C$53 | + 19% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 (C$343) | C$366 | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $129 (C$163) | C$166 | - 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $10 (C$13) | C$11 | + 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (C$28) | C$23 | + 20% | |
| Clothes | + 2% | |||
| Clothes in United States is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 (C$59) | C$74 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (C$55) | C$49 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 (C$110) | C$110 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $109 (C$138) | C$137 | + 1% | |
| Transportation | - 9% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 9% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,606 (C$29,871) | C$24,938 | + 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.64 (C$0.81) | C$1.10 | - 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $74 (C$94) | C$109 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 21% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 21% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (C$9) | C$11 | - 16% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $16 (C$21) | C$17 | + 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $112 (C$141) | C$86 | + 65% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (C$8) | C$9 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.46 (C$4.38) | C$5.14 | - 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.96 (C$6) | C$5.44 | + 15% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.66 (C$4.64) | C$3.15 | + 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.81 (C$2.29) | C$2.65 | - 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (C$27) | C$25 | + 9% | |
| Entertainment | + 13% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 13% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $46 (C$58) | C$55 | + 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (C$32) | C$28 | + 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $208 (C$263) | C$154 | + 71% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $80 (C$101) | C$95 | + 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (C$16) | C$12 | + 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.06 (C$6) | C$4.91 | + 30% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.84 (C$7) | C$7 | + 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $419 (C$531) | C$570 | - 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.51 (C$0.65) | C$0.47 | + 37% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $49 (C$62) | C$57 | + 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (C$10) | C$15 | - 29% | |
| TOTAL | + 9% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 08, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.265
CAD
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 39,527 prices entered by 5,287 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 9% more expensive than in Canada
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