🙂A single person spends $1,755 per month in Timor-Leste vs $2,319 in Canada, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,648 per month in Timor-Leste vs $3,378 in Canada, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,540 per month in Timor-Leste vs $4,437 in Canada, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Timor-Leste is roughly 24% lower than in Canada on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Timor-Leste and Canada are pricier than the global median – Timor-Leste by 31%, Canada by 74%.
📏The regional cost range is wider in Timor-Leste ($1,755–$1,755) than in Canada ($1,332–$3,143), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Timor-Leste
Canada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.02$5.02
$18.63CA$26.21
-73.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.32$44.32
$74.0CA$104
-40.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.23$8.23
$10.92CA$15.37
-24.63%
Cappuccino
$3.82$3.82
$3.76CA$5.29
1.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59$1.59
$2.19CA$3.08
-27.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43$1.43
$1.74CA$2.44
-17.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.02$2.02
$5.93CA$8.34
-65.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.44$4.44
$5.95CA$8.38
-25.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Timor-Leste
Canada
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.46$2.46
$2.28CA$3.21
7.89%
White Bread(500g)
$2.47$2.47
$2.67CA$3.76
-7.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.96$1.96
$3.78CA$5.32
-48.15%
Eggs
$2.64$2.64
$3.50CA$4.92
-24.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$1.95$1.95
$11.70CA$16.46
-83.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.61$9.61
$12.30CA$17.31
-21.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.93$15.93
$15.44CA$21.73
3.17%
Apples(1kg)
$3.56$3.56
$4.28CA$6.02
-16.82%
Banana(1kg)
$1.86$1.86
$1.45CA$2.04
28.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96$1.96
$4.01CA$5.64
-51.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46$2.46
$4.27CA$6.00
-42.39%
Potato(1kg)
$1.97$1.97
$2.69CA$3.78
-26.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.27$1.27
$2.65CA$3.72
-52.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02$1.02
$2.64CA$3.71
-61.36%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.98$0.98
$1.89CA$2.66
-48.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.71$2.71
$14.77CA$20.78
-81.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.01$12.01
$13.32CA$18.74
-9.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.22$2.22
$2.96CA$4.17
-25.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88$2.88
$3.28CA$4.61
-12.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Timor-Leste
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26$0.26
$2.62CA$3.68
-90.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$56.6$56.6
$78.1CA$110
-27.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.57$3.57
$3.42CA$4.81
4.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.31$3.31
$1.50CA$2.10
120.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.38$20.38
$29.07CA$40.91
-29.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.49$1.49
$1.20CA$1.69
24.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K$21.4K
$25.5KCA$35.8K
-16.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8K$19.8K
$20.6KCA$28.9K
-3.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Timor-Leste
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148$148
$152CA$213
-2.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.53$29.53
$46.70CA$65.7
-36.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.2$50.2
$61.8CA$87.0
-18.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Timor-Leste
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.12$49.12
$43.36CA$61.0
13.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.05$3.05
$18.05CA$25.40
-83.10%
Cinema Ticket
$5.44$5.44
$11.51CA$16.19
-52.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Timor-Leste
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$806CA$1,134
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.1K$16.1K
$12.1KCA$17.1K
32.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Timor-Leste
Canada
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.6$60.6
$55.4CA$77.9
9.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.67$29.67
$41.80CA$58.8
-29.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.5$78.5
$89.7CA$126
-12.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.4$59.4
$106CA$149
-43.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Timor-Leste
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,081$1,081
$1,329CA$1,870
-18.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$935$935
$1,207CA$1,698
-22.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,434$3,434
$2,112CA$2,972
62.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,643$1,643
$1,833CA$2,579
-10.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,639CA$6,527
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,849CA$5,415
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Timor-Leste
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,850$4,850
$2,948CA$4,148
64.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.37
6.33
-15.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Timor-Leste: July 13, 2026
Last update for Canada: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,117 in Timor-Leste vs $1,281 in Canada. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,117 in Dili and $1,481 in Ottawa.
💰Average salary: $3,612 in Timor-Leste vs $2,904 in Canada. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 15% higher in Canada.
⭐Dining out costs 51% more in Canada.
⭐Salaries are 24% 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
Timor-Leste vs Canada: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than Timor-Leste?
Timor-Leste is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 27% 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 27% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Canada or in 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 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.
Timor-Leste vs other spots: cost of living compared