Cost of Living in Canada - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Canada
Address: CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $2,214 per month with rent on average in Canada.

A couple spends around $3,247 per month with rent on average in Canada.

A family of three spends around $4,279 per month with rent on average in Canada.

Across 220 cities in Canada, monthly living costs range from $891 to $3,752 – a $2,861 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.99 CA$24.89

$10.79 CA$14.93

$32.37 CA$44.78

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$71.3 CA$98.6

$46.33 CA$64.1

$107 CA$148

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.91 CA$15.09

$9.45 CA$13.07

$13.08 CA$18.10

Cappuccino

$3.88 CA$5.37

$2.19 CA$3.02

$5.81 CA$8.04

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 CA$3.01

$1.48 CA$2.04

$2.96 CA$4.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.67 CA$2.32

$1.40 CA$1.94

$2.48 CA$3.43

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.80 CA$8.02

$3.63 CA$5.02

$7.26 CA$10.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.81 CA$8.04

$4.72 CA$6.54

$8.72 CA$12.07

Milk (1 liter)

$2.19 CA$3.03

$1.11 CA$1.54

$3.72 CA$5.15

White Bread (500g)

$2.75 CA$3.81

$1.66 CA$2.30

$4.45 CA$6.15

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.69 CA$5.11

$1.61 CA$2.22

$7.30 CA$10.10

Eggs

$3.68 CA$5.09

$2.59 CA$3.59

$5.17 CA$7.16

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.83 CA$14.99

$5.75 CA$7.95

$27.85 CA$38.54

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.20 CA$16.88

$6.42 CA$8.89

$18.20 CA$25.18

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.58 CA$21.56

$7.27 CA$10.06

$24.49 CA$33.89

Apples (1kg)

$4.18 CA$5.79

$1.59 CA$2.21

$6.39 CA$8.84

Banana (1kg)

$1.42 CA$1.96

$0.91 CA$1.27

$3.55 CA$4.91

Oranges (1kg)

$4.02 CA$5.57

$1.56 CA$2.16

$7.41 CA$10.25

Tomato (1kg)

$4.17 CA$5.77

$1.62 CA$2.24

$6.53 CA$9.04

Potato (1kg)

$2.73 CA$3.78

$0.73 CA$1.01

$5.13 CA$7.09

Onion (1kg)

$2.54 CA$3.52

$1.16 CA$1.60

$4.35 CA$6.02

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.57 CA$3.55

$1.41 CA$1.94

$3.52 CA$4.88

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 CA$2.38

$0.70 CA$0.97

$2.82 CA$3.90

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.43 CA$19.96

$11.54 CA$15.97

$18.03 CA$24.95

Wine (Bottle)

$13.62 CA$18.84

$8.73 CA$12.08

$18.92 CA$26.18

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.90 CA$4.01

$1.61 CA$2.22

$5.11 CA$7.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 CA$4.51

$1.78 CA$2.47

$5.72 CA$7.91

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 CA$3.43

$1.91 CA$2.64

$3.18 CA$4.40

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.9 CA$104

$50.4 CA$69.7

$112 CA$155

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.11 CA$4.30

$2.65 CA$3.67

$5.64 CA$7.81

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.48 CA$2.05

$1.23 CA$1.70

$2.46 CA$3.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.37 CA$37.87

$21.60 CA$29.89

$36.01 CA$49.83

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 CA$1.62

$0.93 CA$1.28

$1.40 CA$1.94

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.1K CA$38.9K

$24.9K CA$34.4K

$28.1K CA$38.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.0K CA$27.7K

$18.5K CA$25.5K

$22.4K CA$31.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$154 CA$214

$80.1 CA$111

$294 CA$407

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$43.31 CA$59.9

$24.75 CA$34.25

$72.8 CA$101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.3 CA$83.5

$41.43 CA$57.3

$88.9 CA$123

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.22 CA$57.0

$17.84 CA$24.68

$71.3 CA$98.7

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.08 CA$27.78

$7.41 CA$10.25

$29.53 CA$40.85

Cinema Ticket

$11.64 CA$16.11

$9.45 CA$13.08

$16.00 CA$22.15

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$782 CA$1,083

$366 CA$506

$1,280 CA$1,772

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K CA$20.5K

$9,451 CA$13.1K

$24.8K CA$34.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.9 CA$76.0

$25.21 CA$34.88

$85.0 CA$118

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.73 CA$55.0

$21.22 CA$29.36

$69.3 CA$95.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.3 CA$125

$58.7 CA$81.3

$129 CA$178

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 CA$148

$58.9 CA$81.5

$147 CA$204

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,317 CA$1,822

$952 CA$1,317

$1,860 CA$2,573

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,136 CA$1,571

$785 CA$1,086

$1,573 CA$2,176

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,089 CA$2,890

$1,531 CA$2,119

$3,273 CA$4,529

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,809 CA$2,504

$1,303 CA$1,802

$2,539 CA$3,513

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,846 CA$6,706

$2,323 CA$3,215

$9,095 CA$12.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,928 CA$5,435

$2,097 CA$2,901

$6,870 CA$9,506

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,998 CA$4,148

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.86

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $1,225 nationally. In Ottawa, expect around $1,501, while Orangeville – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $1,211.

The average net salary in Canada is $2,968 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $2,214, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $362 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $66.0.

Most affordable: Orangeville at $891 per month. The capital, Ottawa, sits at $2,445. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $2,861 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($2,214) is 61% above the global median of $1,374.

Average rent ($1,225) is 85% above the global median of $661.

Dining out ($66.0) is 35% above the global median of $49.00.

Public transport ($59.0) is 74% above the global median of $34.00.

By City in Canada

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
51	Drumheller	8000	110	$888	$2,419	$2,244	$4,361	134.05	199.41
52	Drummondville	72089	69	$798	$1,468	$1,877	$3,023	163.36	304.75
53	Duncan BC	-	102	$995	$2,190	$2,340	$4,779	151.74	327.85
54	Edmonton	1010899	102	$1,021	$2,173	$2,566	$4,304	77.33	355.42
55	Edmundston	16437	107	$1,151	$2,313	$2,710	$4,314	208.39	305.89
56	Elliot Lake, ON	10741	106	$999	$2,300	$2,355	$4,330	48.5	303.16
57	Estevan	11054	104	$1,001	$2,272	$2,357	$4,212	230.72	221.1
58	Fort Erie, ON	30710	100	$804	$2,156	$1,947	$4,085	106.75	340.67
59	Fort Frances, Ontario	7700	104	$1,144	$2,224	$2,493	$4,246	219.64	269.95
60	Fort McMurray	66573	107	$1,136	$2,262	$2,857	$4,590	293.56	391.45
61	Fort Nelson, BC	3300	106	$862	$2,325	$2,181	$4,237	32.61	100.04
62	Fort Saskatchewan	28624	103	$1,278	$2,268	$3,220	$4,788	138.95	401.77
63	Fort St John, BC	18609	92	$1,230	$2,009	$2,543	$4,115	201.72	321.99
64	Fredericton	56224	94	$1,016	$2,047	$2,486	$4,112	55.03	437.83
65	Gatineau	291041	97	$1,005	$2,073	$2,575	$4,179	120.27	393.48
66	Gibsons, BC	4800	106	$1,103	$2,279	$2,456	$4,130	203.66	292.14
67	Golden, BC	-	104	$1,098	$2,251	$2,257	$3,840	61.5	174.31
68	Granby, QC	62624	82	$910	$1,802	$2,473	$3,411	294.36	318.94
69	Grand Bend	-	104	$914	$2,234	$2,051	$4,274	59.59	103.78
70	Grand Falls-Windsor	13725	106	$1,031	$2,259	$2,699	$4,308	123.22	402.16
71	Grande Prairie	63166	106	$1,148	$2,249	$2,107	$4,259	104.78	216
72	Grimsby	28883	112	$857	$2,457	$2,711	$2,556	52.28	377.25
73	Guelph	131794	124	$1,146	$2,625	$2,843	$5,038	166.49	387.5
74	Hagersville	-	96	$848	$2,050	$1,828	$3,789	4.7	189.37
75	Halifax	403131	118	$1,110	$2,537	$2,690	$4,749	56.94	339.6
76	Hamilton	519949	109	$996	$2,321	$2,454	$4,477	219.92	339.04
77	Hammond, Ontario	-	106	$1,062	$2,325	$2,340	$4,347	193.74	291.28
78	Hay River, NT	3600	106	$1,036	$2,307	$2,445	$4,323	83.29	106.42
79	Hazelton	-	106	$959	$2,324	$2,292	$4,273	205.34	219.1
80	Hearst	5000	106	$1,054	$2,322	$2,701	$4,283	176.77	31.48
81	High Level	3200	106	$1,067	$2,253	$2,301	$4,323	244.41	277.27
82	Hope	6200	108	$963	$2,346	$2,168	$4,301	107.78	332.41
83	Humboldt	5700	104	$924	$2,259	$2,103	$3,988	48.74	198.73
84	Inuvik	3200	112	$1,154	$2,422	$2,899	$4,771	40.8	104.46
85	Iqaluit, NU	8000	139	$1,317	$2,981	$2,383	$6,330	264.81	135.77
86	Jasper	4600	114	$1,173	$2,469	$2,989	$4,717	293.37	220.71
87	Joliette	20484	77	$971	$1,679	$2,461	$3,453	223.06	298.17
88	Kamloops	90280	111	$1,089	$2,374	$2,707	$4,807	85.98	324.7
89	Kanata	-	119	$1,122	$2,553	$2,242	$4,657	4.84	362.45
90	Kelowna	144576	110	$1,044	$2,406	$2,526	$4,696	33.75	339.24
91	Kenora	15096	96	$782	$2,078	$2,047	$4,071	23.52	249.59
92	Kingston	123363	106	$925	$2,280	$2,298	$3,957	82.73	328.16
93	Kitchener	256855	117	$1,065	$2,516	$2,642	$4,493	43.57	399.02
94	Labrador City	7400	114	$1,177	$2,439	$2,754	$4,687	111.54	118.57
95	Langley, BC	28963	118	$974	$2,512	$2,785	$4,745	56.8	409.88
96	Laval	438366	109	$1,041	$2,341	$2,633	$4,246	64.53	328.5
97	Lethbridge, AB	83517	101	$1,125	$2,174	$2,700	$4,213	240.56	315.27
98	Lloydminster	-	78	$836	$1,646	$2,447	$3,465	107.24	315.27
99	London	383822	110	$1,079	$2,334	$2,608	$4,439	210.89	386.67
100	Longueuil	254483	103	$1,113	$2,184	$2,516	$3,819	214.02	293.18

Canada Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Canada - Frequently Asked Questions

Canada offers high quality infrastructure and safety, but affordability varies by city. In coastal metropolises, prices tend to be higher; inland towns and smaller cities can offer more bandwidth for housing, utilities, and leisure. The Cost of Living in Canada tends to peak in major hubs yet can feel reasonable in university towns with strong amenities. You’ll value walkable neighborhoods, reliable transit, seasonal activities, and solid healthcare. Prepare for longer leases or housing hunts during peak season, and compare neighborhoods by commute and grocery access. Tip: Map out neighborhoods with good transit links and plan shoulder-season visits to compare rents and lifestyle costs.

Daily life blends practicality with discovery. Housing searches focus on rentals or shared living in neighborhoods with reliable transit, grocery access, and parks. Food options range from local markets to multicultural grocers, with seasonal produce shaping weekly meals. Transit and bike lanes make city travel smooth, while smaller towns may rely more on car trips. Co-working spaces, cafes, and libraries provide flexible work spots, and you’ll find networking meetups across tech and creative scenes. Errands are efficient when you group trips and plan ahead with digital tools. Canada living cost varies by city size and season, so budget for housing, transit, and groceries accordingly. Tip: Prioritize a base with transit access and regular shopping options.

Build a simple budgeting framework: identify fixed costs (housing), variable costs (food, transit, utilities), and leisure; compare neighborhoods by transit access, safety, and green space. In winter, plan for heating and winter gear; in summer, enjoy outdoor markets and longer daylight hours. To save, consider longer leases, monthly transit passes, cooking at home, and shopping at local co-ops or discount grocers. Prioritize neighborhoods with walkability, good public services, and proximity to coworking or remote-work hubs. Seasonal opportunities – short-term gigs, festivals, and language exchanges – can pad your budget without sacrificing quality. Tip: Create a monthly plan that shifts with seasons and keeps core needs front and center.

In 2026, monthly costs in Canada range from $891 in smaller cities to $3,752 in major hubs. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Living costs across Canada vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $891 in affordable regions to $3,752 in major cities. Capitals and tourist spots are at the top; smaller provincial towns are significantly cheaper.

Rent in Canada varies a lot – Ottawa has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

In regional cities, $2,500 is plenty. In Ottawa? You'll need to plan carefully, especially around housing. Shared apartments or outer neighborhoods are the usual workarounds.

Canada is mid-range globally, with more affordable cities starting around $891 per month. Not the cheapest option out there, but far from the most expensive – a reasonable balance of cost and quality of life.