😐A single person spends $2,214 per month in Canada vs $1,553 in Timor-Leste, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,247 per month in Canada vs $2,403 in Timor-Leste, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,279 per month in Canada vs $3,252 in Timor-Leste, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Canada is about 43% higher than in Timor-Leste on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Canada and Timor-Leste are pricier than the global median – Canada by 61%, Timor-Leste by 13%.
📏The regional cost range is wider in Canada ($891–$3,752) than in Timor-Leste ($1,553–$1,553), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.99CA$24.83
$4.96$4.96
262.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.3CA$98.4
$42.07$42.07
69.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.91CA$15.06
$7.88$7.88
38.45%
Cappuccino
$3.88CA$5.35
$4.20$4.20
-7.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17CA$3.00
$1.64$1.64
32.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67CA$2.31
$2.38$2.38
-29.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.80CA$8.01
$2.49$2.49
132.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.81CA$8.02
$4.63$4.63
25.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.19CA$3.03
$2.30$2.30
-4.78%
White Bread(500g)
$2.75CA$3.80
$2.47$2.47
11.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.69CA$5.10
$0.94$0.94
292.55%
Eggs
$3.68CA$5.08
$2.69$2.69
36.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.83CA$14.96
$2.05$2.05
428.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.20CA$16.84
$9.32$9.32
30.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.58CA$21.51
$15.87$15.87
-1.83%
Apples(1kg)
$4.18CA$5.77
$3.42$3.42
22.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.42CA$1.96
$1.80$1.80
-21.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.02CA$5.55
$2.53$2.53
58.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.17CA$5.76
$2.31$2.31
80.52%
Potato(1kg)
$2.73CA$3.77
$1.19$1.19
129.41%
Onion(1kg)
$2.54CA$3.51
$1.19$1.19
113.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.57CA$3.54
$0.86$0.86
198.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.72CA$2.37
$1.02$1.02
68.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.43CA$19.92
$2.97$2.97
385.86%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.62CA$18.80
$12.11$12.11
12.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.90CA$4.00
$2.20$2.20
31.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26CA$4.50
$2.87$2.87
13.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.48CA$3.42
$0.26$0.26
853.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$74.9CA$103
$43.18$43.18
73.39%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.11CA$4.29
$3.42$3.42
-9.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.48CA$2.04
$3.56$3.56
-58.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$27.37CA$37.78
$20.35$20.35
34.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17CA$1.62
$1.49$1.49
-21.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.1KCA$38.8K
$19.6K$19.6K
43.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0KCA$27.6K
$18.4K$18.4K
8.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$154CA$213
$149$149
3.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$43.31CA$59.8
$27.28$27.28
58.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.3CA$83.3
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.22CA$56.9
$49.32$49.32
-16.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.08CA$27.71
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.64CA$16.07
$6.03$6.03
93.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$782CA$1,080
$1,500$1,500
-47.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8KCA$20.5K
$16.0K$16.0K
-7.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.9CA$75.8
$59.8$59.8
-8.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.73CA$54.9
$30.47$30.47
30.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.3CA$125
$80.3$80.3
12.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107CA$147
$61.2$61.2
74.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,317CA$1,818
$831$831
58.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,136CA$1,568
$768$768
47.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,089CA$2,883
$2,761$2,761
-24.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,809CA$2,498
$1,501$1,501
20.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,846CA$6,690
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,928CA$5,422
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,998CA$4,138
$5,030$5,030
-40.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.86
5.37
-9.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Canada: August 31, 2026
Last update for Timor-Leste: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,225 in Canada vs $824 in Timor-Leste. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,501 in Ottawa and $824 in Dili.
💰Average salary: $2,968 in Canada vs $3,634 in Timor-Leste. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 49% higher in Canada.
⭐Dining out costs 57% more in Canada.
⭐Public transport is 97% more expensive in Canada.
⭐Salaries are 22% higher in Timor-Leste, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Timor-Leste.
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 Timor-Leste: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than Timor-Leste?
Timor-Leste is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 49% 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 Timor-Leste, contributing to the overall 49% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Canada or in Timor-Leste?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Timor-Leste, but in Canada it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Canada or to Timor-Leste?
Timor-Leste 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.