Cost of Living in Canada (2025)

Cost of Living in Canada (2025) covers typical household expenses across major categories—housing, transportation, food, utilities, healthcare, education, taxes, and discretionary spending. Costs vary widely by province/territory and city size, as well as by lifestyle, household size, and immigration status. This page focuses on practical, neutral information with references to official Canadian sources.

How to use this guide

• Start with the Quick snapshot for the main cost drivers.
• Use the City comparisons table to scan differences across regions.
• Review category sections (housing, transport, food, etc.) for budgeting tips.
• See Taxes in Canada for income tax, credits, and benefits that can affect net living costs.

Quick snapshot (what drives costs most)

1. Housing (rent or mortgage) is the single largest expense; vacancy rates and local supply strongly influence price.
2. Transportation depends on car ownership vs transit; insurance and fuel can vary by province.
3. Food costs are influenced by supply chains, seasonality, and distance to major markets.
4. Utilities & internet are sensitive to climate (heating), building type, and plan selection.
5. Childcare & education can be significant for families (province-specific programs and fees).
6. Taxes & credits (federal/provincial) impact net affordability through benefits and deductions.

City	Province/Territory	Typical rent (1-bed, core area)	Transit pass	Utilities (heat/power/water)	Mobile + Internet	Groceries (basket)	Notes/Source
Toronto	Ontario	$1,715 (Oct 2024)	$156.00 (Adult Monthly)
Vancouver	British Columbia		$111.60 (Adult 1-Zone Monthly)
Montreal	Quebec	$1,051 (Oct 2024)	$104.50 (All Modes A – Adult Monthly)
Calgary	Alberta	$1,584 (Oct 2024)	$118.00 (Adult Monthly)
Ottawa	Ontario	$1,520 (Oct 2024)	$135.00 (Adult Monthly)
Halifax	Nova Scotia	$1,402 (Oct 2024)	$139.00 (Adult Monthly)
Winnipeg	Manitoba	$1,179 (Oct 2024)	$115.50 (Adult Monthly)
Saskatoon	Saskatchewan	$1,211 (Oct 2024)	$83.00 (Adult Monthly)
St. John's	Newfoundland and Labrador		$78.00 (Adult 30-Day)
Whitehorse	Yukon		$75.00 (Adult Monthly)
Yellowknife	Northwest Territories		31-day pass available (see City)
Iqaluit	Nunavut		— (no scheduled city transit)				Add GN/Housing Nunavut source when ready

Data last updated: 2025-10-30.

Housing

Renting

• Supply conditions, purpose-built vs condo rentals, and vacancy rates materially affect rent.
• CMHC’s Rental Market Report provides official rental benchmarks by census metropolitan area (CMA). For 2025 planning, use the latest CMHC update for your city and cite it in your local article.

Buying

• Mortgage affordability is sensitive to interest rates, stress tests, and down payment size.
• Home insurance, property tax, and maintenance should be included in monthly ownership budgets.

Tips

• Consider mid-rise buildings or neighborhoods slightly outside downtown cores for lower rent.
• Shared accommodations (two-bedroom split) can reduce per-person costs.

Transportation

Without a car

• Monthly transit passes vary by city and sometimes by age/student status. Check municipal transit websites for current fares.
• Micromobility (bike/scooter) can reduce costs in compact cities during warmer months.

With a car

• Car payments (if financed), insurance (varies by province and driving record), fuel, routine maintenance, winter tires, and parking.
• Provinces differ in insurance frameworks (public vs private). Always compare quotes when budgeting.

Food and groceries

• Food costs vary by region and season. Northern and remote communities face higher prices due to transport.
• Budgeting tips: weekly flyers, seasonal produce, store brands, and batch cooking.
• Eating out (fast-casual vs restaurant) should be separated from staple groceries when you track expenses.

Utilities and internet

• Electricity, heating (natural gas/electric), water/sewer, and waste fees vary by municipality and building type.
• Internet plans: speed tiers and data policies differ by provider and region; bundling with mobile may save costs.
• Energy efficiency (insulation, smart thermostats) and usage habits can meaningfully affect bills.

Healthcare and insurance

• Medically necessary hospital and physician services are covered for eligible residents under provincial/territorial plans.
• Budget for prescription drugs, dental, vision, and extended benefits (often via employer or private plans).
• Newcomers and visitors should review eligibility waiting periods and consider private coverage: see Visitor Health Insurance for Canada (2025).

Childcare and education

• Early learning and childcare fees differ by province and by program participation (e.g., federal–provincial affordability agreements).
• Public K–12 education is publicly funded for residents; extras include supplies, activities, and transportation where applicable.
• Post-secondary: tuition and fees vary by program and residency status; plan for books, housing, and transit.

Taxes and benefits (impact on net cost of living)

• See Taxes in Canada. Credits/benefits (e.g., Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST credit, provincial programs) can offset expenses for eligible households.
• Payroll deductions (CPP/QPP, EI/QPIP) and income tax rates affect take-home pay and savings capacity.

Sample monthly budgets (illustrative, 2025)

Replace numbers with locally sourced values before publishing final figures. Keep the structure to help readers compare apples to apples.

Single adult (renting, urban transit user)

• Housing (1-bed apt): $____
• Utilities (heat/power/water): $____
• Internet + mobile: $____
• Transit pass: $____
• Groceries: $____
• Discretionary (health, clothing, leisure): $____

Estimated total: $____ per month

Couple (renting, one car)

• Housing (1- or 2-bed apt): $____
• Utilities: $____
• Internet + mobiles: $____
• Car (payment/insurance/fuel/parking): $____
• Transit pass (second person): $____
• Groceries: $____
• Discretionary/health: $____

Estimated total: $____ per month

Family of four (renting, two children)

• Housing (2- or 3-bed apt or townhouse): $____
• Utilities: $____
• Internet + mobiles: $____
• Transportation (car + transit for older child): $____
• Groceries + school lunches: $____
• Childcare/activities: $____
• Extras (health, clothing, misc.): $____

Estimated total: $____ per month

Regional notes

Atlantic Canada

Housing often more affordable than large central/western cities; utilities and winter heating can be a larger share.

Central Canada (Ontario, Quebec)

Large metro areas can be housing-constrained; transit options are stronger, reducing the need for a car in core neighborhoods.

Prairie Provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta)

Housing affordability is often better outside a few hot spots; car ownership is common.

British Columbia

Coastal metros face higher housing costs; mild climate may reduce heating but offset by higher rents.

Northern Territories (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)

Transportation and groceries can be significantly higher due to distance and logistics; salaries and allowances may reflect this.

Budgeting tips (2025)

• Build a 10–15% buffer for price changes and one-off expenses.
• Track the top 5 categories for 60 days; adjust your housing or commuting choice first if you need the biggest impact.
• Consider furnished rentals or short-term sublets when testing a new city.

See also

• Taxes in Canada • Economy of Canada
• Provinces of Canada • Cities of Canada
• Visitor Health Insurance for Canada (2025)

External links (official)

• Statistics Canada — Consumer Price Index (CPI): https://www.statcan.gc.ca/
• CMHC — Rental Market Reports & data: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/
• Bank of Canada — Inflation & rates: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/
• Provincial/territorial ministries (transit, housing, childcare): check your local government portal (*.gov.* or *.gc.ca).

FAQs

Is Canada expensive compared to other countries?

Costs vary widely by city. Housing tends to be the biggest driver; food, utilities, and transit are comparable to other high-income countries in major metros.

Which city is the most affordable?

Affordability depends on rent, commuting, and income. Mid-sized cities and suburbs often offer lower housing costs with trade-offs in transit and commute.

Do I need a car?

Not necessarily—larger cities offer robust transit. In smaller or spread-out cities, car ownership may be practical.

How much should I budget for moving to Canada?

Budget for first/last month’s rent (or deposit), basic furniture, setup fees (internet, mobile), and initial transit/car costs. Newcomers should also plan for private health coverage during any eligibility waiting period.

Will inflation change this guide?

Yes. Use the official CPI dashboards and CMHC rental data to keep numbers current. This page is structured so you can update line items quickly with fresh sources.