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How Much Does It Cost to Live in Canada?
- Last updated on: June 19, 2023
What is the average cost of living in Canada?
The average cost of living in Canada is $2611 per month.
The beautiful country of Canada is situated in the northern part of North-America. It has a total area of about 9.985 million Km2 which makes it the world’s second-largest country in terms of land area. The total population is 37,940,640 and its capital is Ottawa. The country ranks among the highest in the international measurements in terms of quality of life, government transparency, civil liberties, education, economic freedom, and healthcare. In addition, the country is known for the respect the differences of everyone, its unparalleled diversity as well as its safety and security.
Canada is a highly diverse country in terms of ethnicities along with its highly advanced economy being the world’s 10th largest. It is a part of a number of major international groups and institutions.
The country is globally renowned for its universal healthcare system. It has 10 provinces that are divided into fifteen terrestrial and five marine ecozones. As for the weather, it varies from region to region, but an average low in Celsius can be anywhere from -20 to -30, whereas average high can go the same length.
In terms of affordability, Canada is classified as moderately expensive as household costs can take as much as half of the take-home pay. But the public services are quite excellent, making it possible to enjoy a high standard of life.
Cost of living in Canada - 2023
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Housing Costs in Canada
Given below is a table that lists down the average prices of different types of property, their rents, and their costs in Canada.
| City District | Rent for 1 Bedroom | Rent for 2 Bedroom | Rent for 3 Bedroom |
| Toronto | $1755 | $2331 | $2900 |
| Vancouver | $1925 | $2600 | $3400 |
| Montreal | $1375 | $1699 | $2100 |
| Ottawa | $1400 | $1700 | $2062 |
| Quebec City | $714 | $965 | $1104 |
| Calgary | $1095 | $1308 | $1550 |
| Victoria | $1585 | $2000 | – |
| Winnipeg | $945 | $1304 | $1563 |
| Edmonton | $986 | $1175 | $1375 |
What is the average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Canada?
The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Canada is $1310.
In terms of affordability, here are some properties and their average price.
| Property | Price per month |
| 1 Bedroom | $1358 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1703 |
| Single Family House | $2361 |
| Condo Apartment | $2009 |
(* Rentals)
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Average Cost of Utilities in Canada
The average price for electricity in Canada is around 17.4¢/kWh. The provinces with the most expensive units include Nunavut standing at 37.5¢/kWh and Northwest Territories at 38.7¢/kWh. If your apartment or house is averagely consuming around 1000kWh, your electric bill will come around $174.
The average cost of utilities in Canada is $304.75 per month. (Only QC, ON, AB & BC included)
- Cost of Utilities in Ontario
- Cost of Utilities in Alberta
- Cost of Utilities in British Columbia
- Cost of Utilities in Nova Scotia
- Cost of Utilities in Manitoba
- Cost of Utilities in Saskatchewan
- Cost of Utilities in New Brunswick
- Cost of Utilities in PEI
Electricity may or may not be added to this figure depending upon the rate of consumption. As for monthly home insurance rates, they vary greatly from one province to another.
Cost of Public Transit and Parking Rates
The city of Canada provides its residents with a number of ways to travel around the city conveniently with the conventional mediums including buses, ferries, metros, etc. different cities provide different services managed by provincial governments but you can expect to pay as much as $250-$300 per month. This includes travelling by services provided by the local government and online taxi services.
Costs of The Bike Taxi System
Not all Canadian provinces have bike cab systems. Bike cabs, such as BIXI in Montreal and Bikeshare in Toronto, are economical and environmentally friendly options for getting around large cities without having to pay a lot of money to buy and maintain a bike. The cost to rent a BIXI, for example, is $19 for 30 days including 45 minutes of free riding. Beyond 45 minutes it’s 5₵ a minute.
Car Parking Rates
Car parking in Canada is highly monetized with each city having its own strategy to manage the way they charge their residents. Here is some of the cities with the highest on-street car parking rates per hour that the citizen get to pay.
| City | Airport | Car Park | Street Parking |
| Montreal | $7.31 | $7.74 | $3.14 |
| Toronto | $8.70 | $5.81 | $3.87 |
| Calgary | $8.23 | $9.68 | $4.36 |
| Ottawa | $9.68 | $2.42 | $6.77 |
| Mount Vancouver | $4.11 | $5.81 | $3.87 |
(*Fixter)
What is the average parking rate in Canada?
The average parking rate in Canada is $4.40 per hour on the street.
Cost of public transit across Canada
City | Monthly pass cost at regular rate |
Montreal | $90.50 |
Quebec City | $89.75 |
Toronto | $156.00 |
Vancouver | $100.25 |
Calgary | $109.00 |
Edmonton | $100.00 |
Ottawa | $122.50 |
Halifax | $60.00 |
(*STM, RTC, TTC, TransLink, Calgary Transit, Edmonton.ca, Oc Transpo & Halifax.ca)
What is the average fare for a monthly public transit pass in Canada?
The average fare for a monthly public transit pass in Canada is $103.50.
Car Insurance Rates
Car reinsurance rates in Canada vary from one province to another. The average annual rates for all the provinces are as following.
| Province | Rate* |
| Ontario | $1458 |
| British Columbia | $1316 |
| Alberta | $1179 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $1090 |
| Manitoba | $1001 |
| Northwest Territories | $974 |
| Nunavut | $968 |
| Yukon | $806 |
| Nova Scotia | $783 |
| Saskatchewan | $775 |
| New Brunswick | $763 |
| Prince Edward Island | $755 |
| Quebec | $724 |
What is the average car insurance rate in Canada?
The average car insurance rate in Canada is $968 per month.
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Entertainment
Canada is full of beautiful locations, museums, sports centers, cinemas, and activity centers along with a number of restaurants. How affordable is the entertainment to you depends upon the city that you reside in.
Considering at average cost, if you have had 4 beers, 1 restaurant visit with friends, visited the cinema 2 times, and have had 4 regular restaurant meals per month, that can cost you about $190.
*Note that the monthly cost will vary depending on the city where you reside.
(*Numbeo)
What is the average entertainment cost in Canada?
The average entertainment cost in Canada is $190 per month.
Grocery Cost in Canada
Grocery includes items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, and others. Cost for some regular groceries that may averagely be purchased include:
| Items (1 kg) | Prices |
Milk (1 Liter) | $2.49 |
Loaf of bread | $2.90 |
Rice | $3.71 |
Dozen Eggs | $3.47 |
Local Cheese | $12.63 |
Chicken | $13.19 |
Beef round | $15.22 |
Apples | $4.15 |
Bananas | $1.73 |
Orange | $4 |
Tomatoes | $4.26 |
Potatoes | $2.90 |
Onions | $2.66 |
Head of Lettuce | $2.66 |
Water Bottle 1.5L | $2.55 |
Cigarette 20 Pack | $15 |
*Note that the monthly cost will vary depending on the city you reside in and the type of food you buy.
(*Numbeo & Statistics Canada)
What is the grocery cost per month for one person in Canada?
The grocery cost per month for one person in Canada is $53.50.
What is the grocery cost per month for a family of three in Canada?
The grocery cost per month for a family of three is $642 in Canada.
Cost of Cell Phone and Internet
There are many internet providers in Canada, as well as cell phone providers, with different packages that are sure to meet everyone’s needs. The best internet plans will include enough Mbps to accommodate your household and will have unlimited data. The best cell phone plans will have enough data for your monthly usage and will have unlimited calling and texting.
What is the average internet cost per month in Canada?
Internet costs an average of $62 per month for 50 Mbps in Canada.
What is the average cost of a cell phone bill in Canada per month?
The average cost of a cell phone bill in Canada is $48 per month.
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Cost to Maintain Physical Health and Fitness
To stay fit, gym fees average $50-60 per month in Canada. For health care, you are covered by Canada’s universal health care system. However, dental and vision insurance is not covered by the Canadian health care system. These are often covered by your employer’s insurance plan.
(*Numbeo)
What is the average cost of a gym membership in Canada?
The average cost of a gym membership in Canada is $55 per month.
Provincial Income Tax Rates in Canada
The provincial and territorial income tax rates are as following:
| Provinces and territories | Rates |
|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 8.7% on the first $38,081 of taxable income, + 14.5% on the next $38,080, + 15.8% on the next $59,812, + 17.3% on the next $54,390, + 18.3% on the amount over $190,363 |
| Prince Edward Island | 9.8% on the first $31,984 of taxable income, + 13.8% on the next $31,985, + 16.7% on the amount over $63,969 |
| Nova Scotia | 8.79% on the first $29,590 of taxable income, + 14.95% on the next $29,590, + 16.67% on the next $33,820, + 17.5% on the next $57,000, + 21% on the amount over $150,000 |
| New Brunswick | 9.68% on the first $43,835 of taxable income, + 14.82% on the next $43,836, + 16.52% on the next $54,863, + 17.84% on the next $19,849, + 20.3% on the amount over $162,383 |
| Quebec | More information on Revenu Quebec website for Income tax rates |
| Ontario | 5.05% on the first $45,142 of taxable income, + |
| Manitoba | 10.8% on the first $33,723 of taxable income, + 12.75% on the next $39,162, + 17.4% on the amount over $72,885 |
| Saskatchewan | 10.5% on the first $45,677 of taxable income, + 12.5% on the next $84,829, + 14.5% on the amount over $130,506 |
| Alberta | 10% on the first $131,220 of taxable income, + 12% on the next $26,244, + 13% on the next $52,488, + 14% on the next $104,976, + 15% on the amount over $314,928 |
| British Columbia | 5.06% on the first $42,184 of taxable income, + |
| Yukon | 6.4% on the first $49,020 of taxable income, + 9% on the next $49,020, + 10.9% on the next $53,938, + 12.8% on the next $348,022, + 15% on the amount over $500,000 |
| Northwest Territories | 5.9% on the first $44,396 of taxable income, + 8.6% on the next $44,400, + 12.2% on the next $55,566, + 14.05% on the amount over $144,362 |
| Nunavut | 4% on the first $46,740 of taxable income, + 7% on the next $46,740, + 9% on the next $58,498, + 11.5% on the amount over $151,978 |
Conclusion
The average cost of living in the beautiful country of Canada can be calculated by using the provided table and selecting the rates along with respective items, and finding the total sum which may vary from one person to another.
Summary Cost Chart
Service | Cost of living in Canada (per month) |
Housing 1 bed apartment in the city | $1310 |
Electricity 1000 kWh /month | $174 |
Public Transit regular fare monthly pass | $103.50 Mtl: 90.50 $ Quebec City : 89.75 $ TO: 156.00 $ Vancouver: 100.25 $ Calgary 109.00 $ Edmonton: 100.00 $ Ottawa: 122.50 $ Halifax: 60.00 $ |
Entertainment 4 beers, 1 restaurant visit, 4 take-outs and 2 movie visits | $190 |
Groceries 3 person family *May vary depending on the type of food and the region | $642 |
Internet 50 Mbps | $62 |
Cell Phone Unlimited calls and texts and 5GB of data | $48.89 |
Car Insurance | $80.70 |
Gym | $55 |
Total | $2611.09 |
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