Cost of Living Comparison Between Canada and Iran Cost of Living Comparison Between Canada and Iran

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,316 per month in Canada vs $519 in Iran, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,376 per month in Canada vs $829 in Iran, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,436 per month in Canada vs $1,139 in Iran, rent included.

Canada costs about 346% more than Iran on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Canada sits 73% above the global median, while Iran is 61% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Canada has a wider regional cost range ($1,310$3,100) than Iran ($404$710), so location matters more when choosing where to live in Canada.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canada
Iran
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.44 CA$25.53
$3.44 $3.44
436.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.5 CA$103
$18.53 $18.53
301.94%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.88 CA$15.07
$3.99 $3.99
172.68%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.67 $0.67
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.07 $1.07
-
Cappuccino
$3.90 CA$5.39
$1.18 $1.18
230.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 CA$2.99
$0.57 $0.57
278.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73 CA$2.40
$0.86 $0.86
101.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.74 CA$7.94
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.05 CA$8.37
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canada
Iran
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.20 CA$3.05
$0.65 $0.65
238.46%
White Bread (500g)
$2.75 CA$3.81
$0.49 $0.49
461.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.66 CA$5.07
$2.15 $2.15
70.23%
Eggs
$3.63 CA$5.03
$1.12 $1.12
224.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.72 CA$16.22
$3.74 $3.74
213.37%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.28 CA$17.01
$2.93 $2.93
319.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.88 CA$20.60
$9.42 $9.42
57.96%
Apples (1kg)
$4.14 CA$5.73
$0.85 $0.85
387.06%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 CA$2.01
$1.40 $1.40
3.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.79 CA$5.25
$0.88 $0.88
330.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.09 CA$5.66
$0.62 $0.62
559.68%
Potato (1kg)
$2.73 CA$3.78
$0.54 $0.54
405.56%
Onion (1kg)
$2.77 CA$3.83
$0.48 $0.48
477.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.62 CA$3.62
$0.53 $0.53
394.34%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.87 CA$2.59
$0.24 $0.24
679.17%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$0.83 $0.83
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.59 $0.59
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.40 $1.40
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.79 CA$20.48
$2.03 $2.03
628.57%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.08 CA$18.11
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.03 CA$4.19
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41 CA$4.72
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Canada
Iran
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.52 CA$3.49
$0.19 $0.19
1226.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.9 CA$108
$9.98 $9.98
680.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.49 CA$4.83
$0.51 $0.51
584.31%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 CA$2.04
$0.31 $0.31
377.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.25 CA$39.12
$2.40 $2.40
1077.08%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 CA$1.59
$0.72 $0.72
59.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4K CA$35.2K
$71.9K $71.9K
-64.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.6K CA$28.6K
$58.7K $58.7K
-64.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canada
Iran
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$155 CA$214
$15.54 $15.54
896.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.76 CA$63.4
$2.15 $2.15
2028.37%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.2 CA$86.1
$7.51 $7.51
727.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canada
Iran
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.67 CA$60.5
$17.47 $17.47
149.97%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.14 CA$25.11
$11.75 $11.75
54.38%
Cinema Ticket
$11.38 CA$15.76
$1.51 $1.51
653.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canada
Iran
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$798 CA$1,104
$94.8 $94.8
741.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.1K CA$16.8K
$1,285 $1,285
842.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canada
Iran
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8 CA$78.7
$26.86 $26.86
111.50%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.19 CA$58.4
$31.61 $31.61
33.47%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.9 CA$122
$113 $113
-22.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 CA$147
$67.2 $67.2
58.53%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canada
Iran
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,359 CA$1,882
$298 $298
355.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,204 CA$1,667
$215 $215
458.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,136 CA$2,957
$656 $656
225.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,860 CA$2,575
$417 $417
345.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,642 CA$6,427
$996 $996
365.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,852 CA$5,333
$592 $592
550.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canada
Iran
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,029 CA$4,194
$245 $245
1137.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.33
22.87
-72.32%

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

Last update for Canada: May 31, 2026

Last update for Iran: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,281 in Canada vs $293 in Iran. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,500 in Ottawa and $489 in Tehran.

Average salary: $2,972 in Canada vs $263 in Iran. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 337% higher in Canada.

Dining out costs 300% more in Canada.

Public transport is 550% more expensive in Canada.

Salaries are 1030% higher in Canada, giving Canada stronger purchasing power.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Canada vs Iran: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than Iran?
Iran is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 296% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Canada, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Canada consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Iran, contributing to the overall 296% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $800 a realistic budget in Canada or Iran?
$800 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Iran, but in Canada it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Canada or Iran?
Iran is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

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