Cost of living in Canada compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Canada is 13% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Canada | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | C$23 ($17) | $19 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | C$13 ($9) | $10 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | C$8 ($6) | $5.95 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | C$2.97 ($2.18) | $1.09 | + 99% | |
| 12 eggs, large | C$5.23 ($3.84) | $4.92 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | C$4.96 ($3.64) | $4.81 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | C$9 ($7) | $7 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | C$4.81 ($3.53) | $4.70 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | C$2.98 ($2.19) | $2.55 | - 14% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | C$3.39 ($2.49) | $3.06 | - 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | C$18 ($13) | $16 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | C$2.80 ($2.05) | $2.74 | - 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | C$2.97 ($2.18) | $3.08 | - 29% | |
| Housing | - 28% | |||
| Housing in Canada is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Canada | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | C$2,787 ($2,047) | $3,012 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | C$2,174 ($1,597) | $2,224 | - 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | C$202 ($148) | $219 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | C$1,792 ($1,316) | $1,967 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | C$1,442 ($1,059) | $1,475 | - 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | C$133 ($98) | $147 | - 34% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | C$74 ($54) | $64 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | C$434 ($319) | $284 | + 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | C$192 ($141) | $132 | + 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | C$15 ($11) | $13 | - 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | C$30 ($22) | $30 | - 29% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in Canada is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Canada | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | C$78 ($58) | $54 | + 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | C$55 ($41) | $44 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | C$118 ($86) | $93 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | C$145 ($106) | $120 | - 11% | |
| Transportation | - 3% | |||
| Transportation in Canada is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Canada | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | C$30,397 ($22,325) | $27,658 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | C$1.72 ($1.26) | $1.06 | + 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | C$111 ($81) | $83 | - 2% | |
| Personal Care | - 19% | |||
| Personal Care in Canada is 19% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Canada | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | C$13 ($10) | $8 | + 19% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | C$31 ($23) | $20 | + 12% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | C$96 ($70) | $137 | - 49% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | C$9 ($7) | $8 | - 19% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | C$6 ($4.71) | $4.91 | - 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | C$6 ($4.51) | $6 | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | C$4.26 ($3.13) | $4.81 | - 35% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | C$3.45 ($2.53) | $2.19 | + 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | C$31 ($23) | $27 | - 16% | |
| Entertainment | - 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Canada is 5% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Canada | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | C$66 ($49) | $55 | - 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | C$31 ($23) | $28 | - 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | C$127 ($93) | $196 | - 52% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | C$107 ($79) | $88 | - 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | C$14 ($11) | $14 | - 24% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | C$5.19 ($3.81) | $5.21 | - 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | C$7 ($5.40) | $6 | - 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | C$774 ($568) | $578 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | C$0.42 ($0.31) | $0.20 | + 55% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | C$63 ($46) | $59 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | C$17 ($12) | $10 | + 22% | |
| TOTAL | - 16% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.734
USD
/
CAD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 27,109 prices entered by 3,628 different people.
Cost of living in Canada is 16% cheaper than in United States
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