😐A single person spends $2,316 per month in Canada vs $1,803 in Timor-Leste, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,376 per month in Canada vs $2,617 in Timor-Leste, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,436 per month in Canada vs $3,431 in Timor-Leste, rent included.
😐Canada costs about 28% more than 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 73%, Timor-Leste by 35%.
📏Canada has a wider regional cost range ($1,310–$3,100) than Timor-Leste ($1,803–$1,803), so location matters more when choosing where to live in Canada.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.44CA$25.64
$5.08$5.08
262.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.5CA$104
$44.11$44.11
68.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.88CA$15.13
$8.10$8.10
34.32%
Cappuccino
$3.90CA$5.42
$3.80$3.80
2.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16CA$3.01
$1.63$1.63
32.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73CA$2.41
$1.44$1.44
20.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.74CA$7.98
$1.96$1.96
192.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.05CA$8.41
$4.48$4.48
35.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.20CA$3.06
$2.39$2.39
-7.95%
White Bread(500g)
$2.75CA$3.83
$2.52$2.52
9.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.66CA$5.09
$1.98$1.98
84.85%
Eggs
$3.63CA$5.05
$2.73$2.73
32.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.72CA$16.29
$2.02$2.02
480.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.28CA$17.08
$9.61$9.61
27.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.88CA$20.69
$16.11$16.11
-7.64%
Apples(1kg)
$4.14CA$5.75
$3.60$3.60
15.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45CA$2.02
$1.88$1.88
-22.87%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.79CA$5.27
$2.04$2.04
85.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.09CA$5.68
$2.48$2.48
64.92%
Potato(1kg)
$2.73CA$3.80
$2.05$2.05
33.17%
Onion(1kg)
$2.77CA$3.85
$1.28$1.28
116.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.62CA$3.64
$0.99$0.99
164.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.87CA$2.60
$0.97$0.97
92.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.79CA$20.57
$2.76$2.76
435.87%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.08CA$18.19
$11.78$11.78
11.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.03CA$4.21
$2.21$2.21
37.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41CA$4.74
$2.77$2.77
23.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.52CA$3.50
$0.24$0.24
950.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.9CA$108
$56.9$56.9
36.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.49CA$4.85
$3.56$3.56
-1.97%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.48CA$2.05
$3.22$3.22
-54.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.25CA$39.29
$19.71$19.71
43.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15CA$1.59
$1.50$1.50
-23.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4KCA$35.4K
$21.7K$21.7K
17.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.6KCA$28.7K
$19.6K$19.6K
5.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$155CA$215
$149$149
3.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.76CA$63.6
$30.35$30.35
50.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.2CA$86.4
$50.5$50.5
23.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.67CA$60.7
$50.5$50.5
-13.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.14CA$25.22
$2.96$2.96
512.84%
Cinema Ticket
$11.38CA$15.83
$5.39$5.39
111.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$798CA$1,109
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.1KCA$16.8K
$15.8K$15.8K
-23.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8CA$79.0
$61.0$61.0
-6.82%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.19CA$58.7
$29.49$29.49
43.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.9CA$122
$80.8$80.8
8.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106CA$148
$60.2$60.2
76.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,359CA$1,890
$1,095$1,095
24.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,204CA$1,674
$932$932
29.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,136CA$2,970
$3,457$3,457
-38.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,860CA$2,586
$1,649$1,649
12.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,642CA$6,455
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,852CA$5,357
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canada
Timor-Leste
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,029CA$4,212
$4,921$4,921
-38.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.33
5.37
17.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Canada: May 31, 2026
Last update for Timor-Leste: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,281 in Canada vs $1,096 in Timor-Leste. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,500 in Ottawa and $1,096 in Dili.
💰Average salary: $2,972 in Canada vs $3,561 in Timor-Leste. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 17% higher in Canada.
⭐Dining out costs 55% more in Canada.
⭐Salaries are 20% higher in Timor-Leste, giving Timor-Leste 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 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 22% 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 22% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Canada or Timor-Leste?
$2,500 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 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.