Cost of Living Comparison Between Canada and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Canada and United States

Name: United States
Address: US

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,214 per month in Canada vs $2,622 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,247 per month in Canada vs $3,830 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,279 per month in Canada vs $5,038 in United States, rent included.

The cost of living in Canada is roughly 16% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both Canada and United States are pricier than the global median – Canada by 61%, United States by 91%.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($983–$5,177) than in Canada ($891–$3,752), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.99 CA$24.90

$19.78 $19.78

-9.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$71.3 CA$98.7

$81.4 $81.4

-12.38%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.91 CA$15.10

$12.11 $12.11

-9.91%

Cappuccino

$3.88 CA$5.37

$5.44 $5.44

-28.68%

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

$2.17 CA$3.01

$2.67 $2.67

-18.73%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.67 CA$2.32

$2.08 $2.08

-19.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.80 CA$8.03

$6.06 $6.06

-4.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.81 CA$8.05

$8.14 $8.14

-28.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.19 CA$3.04

$1.05 $1.05

108.57%

White Bread (500g)

$2.75 CA$3.81

$3.65 $3.65

-24.66%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.69 CA$5.11

$4.45 $4.45

-17.08%

Eggs

$3.68 CA$5.09

$4.35 $4.35

-15.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.83 CA$15.00

$12.73 $12.73

-14.93%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.20 CA$16.89

$12.46 $12.46

-2.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.58 CA$21.58

$16.95 $16.95

-8.08%

Apples (1kg)

$4.18 CA$5.79

$5.30 $5.30

-21.13%

Banana (1kg)

$1.42 CA$1.96

$1.70 $1.70

-16.47%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.02 CA$5.57

$4.40 $4.40

-8.64%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.17 CA$5.78

$5.01 $5.01

-16.77%

Potato (1kg)

$2.73 CA$3.78

$2.87 $2.87

-4.88%

Onion (1kg)

$2.54 CA$3.52

$3.13 $3.13

-18.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.57 CA$3.55

$2.32 $2.32

10.78%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 CA$2.38

$2.34 $2.34

-26.50%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.43 CA$19.98

$10.55 $10.55

36.78%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.62 CA$18.86

$14.94 $14.94

-8.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.90 CA$4.01

$2.12 $2.12

36.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 CA$4.52

$3.69 $3.69

-11.65%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 CA$3.43

$2.37 $2.37

4.64%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.9 CA$104

$65.1 $65.1

15.08%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.11 CA$4.31

$3.42 $3.42

-9.06%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.48 CA$2.05

$1.89 $1.89

-21.69%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.37 CA$37.90

$30.16 $30.16

-9.25%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 CA$1.63

$0.98 $0.98

19.39%

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

$28.1K CA$38.9K

$35.9K $35.9K

-21.77%

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

$20.0K CA$27.7K

$25.9K $25.9K

-22.88%

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

$154 CA$214

$218 $218

-29.10%

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

$43.31 CA$60.0

$61.0 $61.0

-29.01%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.3 CA$83.5

$74.8 $74.8

-19.38%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.22 CA$57.1

$44.42 $44.42

-7.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.08 CA$27.80

$22.53 $22.53

-10.87%

Cinema Ticket

$11.64 CA$16.12

$14.80 $14.80

-21.35%

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

$782 CA$1,083

$1,476 $1,476

-46.98%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K CA$20.5K

$25.9K $25.9K

-42.78%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.9 CA$76.1

$54.4 $54.4

1.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.73 CA$55.0

$43.59 $43.59

-8.86%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.3 CA$125

$92.9 $92.9

-2.88%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 CA$148

$114 $114

-6.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,317 CA$1,824

$1,639 $1,639

-19.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,136 CA$1,572

$1,358 $1,358

-16.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,089 CA$2,892

$2,699 $2,699

-22.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,809 CA$2,505

$2,199 $2,199

-17.71%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,846 CA$6,710

$3,269 $3,269

48.27%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,928 CA$5,439

$2,589 $2,589

51.71%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,998 CA$4,151

$4,357 $4,357

-31.20%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.86

6.21

-21.74%

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

Last update for Canada: August 31, 2026

Last update for United States: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,225 in Canada vs $1,606 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,501 in Ottawa and $1,373 in Columbia, TN.

Average salary: $2,968 in Canada vs $4,519 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 31% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 14% more in United States.

Public transport is 119% more expensive in Canada.

Salaries are 52% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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 United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Canada is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 33% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Canada, contributing to the overall 33% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Canada, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Canada 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.