🙂A single person spends $790 per month in French Polynesia vs $2,320 in Canada, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,187 per month in French Polynesia vs $3,376 in Canada, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,583 per month in French Polynesia vs $4,432 in Canada, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in French Polynesia is roughly 66% lower than in Canada on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊French Polynesia sits 41% below the global median, while Canada is 74% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
French Polynesia
Canada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.13CFPF 1,687
$18.11CA$25.43
-10.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.8CFPF 8,340
$73.9CA$104
8.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.34CFPF 1,290
$11.22CA$15.75
9.98%
Cappuccino
$4.52CFPF 473
$3.78CA$5.31
19.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76CFPF 288
$2.16CA$3.03
27.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20CFPF 230
$1.76CA$2.47
25.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.95CFPF 518
$5.87CA$8.24
-15.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.99CFPF 522
$5.90CA$8.28
-15.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
French Polynesia
Canada
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.45CFPF 151
$2.20CA$3.09
-34.09%
White Bread(500g)
$2.75CFPF 288
$2.79CA$3.92
-1.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70CFPF 178
$3.64CA$5.10
-53.30%
Eggs
$7.20CFPF 752
$3.52CA$4.94
104.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$39.16CFPF 4,094
$11.44CA$16.05
242.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.80CFPF 1,757
$12.51CA$17.56
34.29%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$26.82CFPF 2,804
$15.01CA$21.07
78.68%
Apples(1kg)
$5.57CFPF 582
$4.21CA$5.92
32.30%
Banana(1kg)
$2.37CFPF 248
$1.43CA$2.01
65.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.86CFPF 717
$3.94CA$5.53
74.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.80CFPF 815
$4.14CA$5.82
88.41%
Potato(1kg)
$3.03CFPF 317
$2.77CA$3.88
9.39%
Onion(1kg)
$2.69CFPF 281
$2.77CA$3.89
-2.89%
Lettuce(1 head)
$3.82CFPF 399
$2.55CA$3.58
49.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.11CFPF 116
$1.86CA$2.61
-40.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.14CFPF 1,269
$14.58CA$20.47
-16.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$24.27CFPF 2,537
$13.23CA$18.57
83.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.57CFPF 269
$2.94CA$4.12
-12.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.65CFPF 487
$3.27CA$4.59
42.20%
🚌 Getting Around
French Polynesia
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.99CFPF 208
$2.61CA$3.66
-23.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$78.3CA$110
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$9.98CFPF 1,044
$3.51CA$4.93
184.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.55CA$2.17
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$28.70CA$40.29
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.52CFPF 159
$1.20CA$1.68
26.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.7KCFPF 2.1M
$24.6KCA$34.6K
-19.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.6KCFPF 3.0M
$20.6KCA$28.8K
39.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
French Polynesia
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$179CFPF 18.7K
$155CA$218
15.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.68CFPF 1,848
$46.34CA$65.0
-61.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$106CFPF 11.1K
$63.5CA$89.2
66.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
French Polynesia
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$73.3CFPF 7,660
$42.90CA$60.2
70.79%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.52CFPF 1,832
$17.87CA$25.08
-1.96%
Cinema Ticket
$14.32CFPF 1,498
$11.50CA$16.14
24.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
French Polynesia
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$485CFPF 50.7K
$815CA$1,144
-40.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,864CFPF 1.0M
$12.0KCA$16.9K
-18.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
French Polynesia
Canada
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$99.1CFPF 10.4K
$55.7CA$78.1
78.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$84.7CFPF 8,851
$42.56CA$59.7
98.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$108CFPF 11.3K
$88.2CA$124
22.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108CFPF 11.3K
$108CA$151
0.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
French Polynesia
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,306CFPF 136.5K
$1,332CA$1,869
-1.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,084CFPF 113.3K
$1,177CA$1,652
-7.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,102CFPF 219.8K
$2,194CA$3,079
-4.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,869CFPF 195.4K
$1,888CA$2,650
-1.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,452CFPF 883.7K
$4,592CA$6,446
84.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$7,640CFPF 798.8K
$3,805CA$5,340
100.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
French Polynesia
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,931CFPF 201.9K
$2,913CA$4,088
-33.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.4
6.33
-14.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for French Polynesia: July 26, 2026
Last update for Canada: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $536 in French Polynesia vs $1,283 in Canada. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,233 in Papeete and $1,468 in Ottawa.
💰Average salary: $2,056 in French Polynesia vs $2,911 in Canada. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 139% higher in Canada.
⭐Dining out costs 258% more in Canada.
⭐Salaries are 42% higher in Canada, and purchasing power comes out stronger in French Polynesia.
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
French Polynesia vs Canada: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than French Polynesia?
French Polynesia is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 94% 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 French Polynesia, contributing to the overall 94% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget in Canada or in French Polynesia?
$2,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in French Polynesia, but in Canada it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Canada or to French Polynesia?
French Polynesia 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.
French Polynesia vs other spots: cost of living compared