Facts About Canada

Cost of Living in Canada 2025

Cost of Living in Canada (2025): A Practical Guide

Key takeaways
  • Housing is the single biggest driver of monthly costs; major metros (Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria) are highest.
  • Groceries, transport, and connectivity (internet/mobile) vary by province and city size.
  • Residents rely on provincial/territorial health systems; newcomers/visitors may need private insurance during waiting periods.

What “cost of living” includes

This page outlines typical monthly costs for renters: housing, utilities, internet/mobile, food, transportation, insurance, and everyday essentials. Values are presented as realistic ranges for small, mid-sized, and large cities to reflect regional differences.

At a glance: typical monthly ranges (CAD)

Category Small city (lower) Mid-size city (typical) Large metro (higher)
1-bedroom rent $900–$1,300 $1,400–$2,000 $2,400–$3,200+
Utilities (power/heat/water) $120–$180 $150–$230 $190–$260
Internet (home) $60–$90 $70–$100 $70–$110
Mobile phone (per line) $35–$55 $40–$70 $45–$80
Groceries (per adult) $350–$450 $400–$525 $450–$575
Transit pass (monthly) $70–$110 $90–$130 $120–$160
Car ownership (insurance + fuel + maint.; no car payment) $220–$320 $300–$420 $360–$520

Housing

Typical rent range (unfurnished)
Type Small city Mid-size city Large metro
Studio / 1-bed $900–$1,300 $1,400–$2,000 $2,400–$3,200+
2-bed $1,200–$1,800 $1,900–$2,600 $2,800–$3,800+
  • Deposits, credit checks, and references are common. Tenant insurance is widely encouraged and inexpensive ($15–$30/month).

Utilities & Internet

  • Heating method (electricity, gas, oil) and climate drive variance. Bundled utilities for a small apartment often land in $150–$230/month.
  • Typical internet packages fall between 100–500 Mbps with unlimited data in the $70–$100/month range.

Mobile plans

  • Expect $40–$70/month per line for mainstream carriers; flanker/discount brands can be lower, especially on promotion.

Food: groceries vs. eating out

  • A reasonable grocery basket per adult often runs $400–$525/month depending on city and diet.
  • Eating out frequently will push costs higher; simple dine-in meals are often $15–$25 before tax/tip.

Transportation

  • Public transit monthly passes range roughly $90–$160 in larger cities.
  • Car ownership (excluding any loan/lease payment) commonly runs $300–$420/month (insurance, fuel, routine maintenance). Insurance varies significantly by province and driver profile.

Healthcare & insurance

  • Residents: Provincial/territorial coverage exists, but newcomers may face a 0–3 month waiting period depending on province.
  • Visitors & students: Private medical insurance is strongly recommended to avoid unexpected costs.

Sales taxes & other recurring costs

  • Canada has a 5% federal goods and services tax (GST). Provinces add PST or combine into HST; the total sales-tax rate varies by province.
  • Other common recurring items: tenant insurance ($15–$30), streaming/services ($10–$40), and small household purchases ($50–$150).

Regional differences (quick notes)

  • Higher: Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, parts of the GTA/GVA resort corridors.
  • Mid: Ottawa–Gatineau, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax.
  • Lower (relative): Winnipeg, Quebec City, Saskatoon, Regina, smaller Atlantic and Northern communities (housing may be lower but goods can cost more due to shipping).

Sample monthly budgets (illustrative)

Profile (renter) Housing Utilities/Internet Mobile Food Transport Insurance/Other Estimated total
Single (frugal, small city + transit) $1,100 $280 $45 $400 $100 $220 $2,145
Couple (average, mid-size city + one car) $1,800 $330 $90 $800 $410 $325 $3,755
Family of 3 (comfortable, large metro, 1 car + some transit) $2,700 $380 $90 $1,100 $470 $450 $6,190

Notes: transport for car owners includes insurance/fuel/maintenance only (no car payment). “Insurance/Other” groups tenant insurance and everyday essentials.

How to lower your costs

  • Consider mid-rise apartments just outside core downtowns; compare heat-included vs separately-metered units.
  • Use discount mobile brands and negotiate annually.
  • Batch-cook, buy staples during flyers/coupon cycles, and split wholesale purchases.
  • If driving, maintain proper tire pressure and combine errands; compare insurers at renewal.

FAQs

Is $2,000/month enough for a single person?

In smaller cities with a transit lifestyle and modest rent, it can be possible with careful budgeting. In large metros, $2,000/month is challenging.

Do visitors need health insurance?

Yes—medical care can be expensive without coverage. Some immigration programs require proof of coverage.

Why do estimates vary so much by city?

Housing and transport dominate budgets; both swing widely by region and personal choices.

See also

External links (official)

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