If you’re imagining your future somewhere in North America but people scare you with the high cost of living in Canada, read this article. We’ll show you the actual living expenses in Canada in 2025 — from rent and transportation to shopping and eating out.
Standard of living in Canada
Is Canada expensive?
Rent
Utilities
Cost of sending money from Canada
Groceries
Transportation
Free time
The average cost of living in Canada
How to save money and enjoy your life
FAQ — Is Canada expensive?
Standard of living in Canada
The standard of living in Canada is high. Healthcare is of good quality and funded through taxes, so basic hospital stays and needs are covered. Educational opportunities are endless, with McGill University, University of Toronto, and University of British Columbia among the top-50 institutions in the world. If you’re ready for cold autumns and winters, you’ll enjoy the standard of living in Canada.
Is Canada expensive?
As of autumn 2025, the country is ranked 26th in the Cost of Living Index. Is it expensive to live in Canada? If you’re coming from a country placed 27th or below, it’ll probably feel pricey. But compared to Switzerland or Norway, Canada is relatively (!) cheap.
Let’s break down all the living expenses in Canada and see why it’s ranked so high.
Cost of living in Canada: Rent
To calculate the average cost of living in Canada, we used data from Numbeo, a trusted source for collecting the estimated prices in more than 100 countries.
Living in Canada without accommodation is, well, possible, but we wouldn’t recommend that. It’s a 0 out of 10 experience. That’s why you must consider rent when calculating the final cost of living in Canadian cities.
Cost of living in Canada: Rent
| Apartment type / Location | Average price |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom / city centre | 1,845.48 C$ |
| 1-bedroom / outside of centre | 1,604.19 C$ |
| 3-bedroom / city centre | 2,917.53 C$ |
| 3-bedroom / outside of centre | 2,545.80 C$ |
Housing crisis at its finest. The high cost of living in Canada is mainly because of rent prices, so it’s better to find shared apartments or ask your local friends to search for affordable options — they know better.
Cost of living in Canada: Utilities
Hoped they are included in rent? No, utilities are a separate part of the cost of living in Canadian cities.
| Utilities | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic (electricity, heating etc) for 85m² | 208.43 C$ |
| Mobile plan with 10 GB data | 61.81 C$ |
| Internet | 85.69 C$ |
Great news — you can cut your living expenses in Canada. Start with this article explaining how to save on utility bills. And then jump here to find out how to stop spending money.
Cost of sending money from Canada
These expenses are not so obvious, but most expats have dealt with them at least once. The cost of money transfers is the total of the exchange rate and fees paid, which vary a lot between services and banks. One of the most cost-effective options is Profee:
- Competitive rates that are sometimes better than what you see on Google.
- 0% fee for your first transfer. Starting from the next transfer, Profee will keep the fees low and transparent.
What else Profee has to bring to the table:
Security
Profee has PCI DSS Level 1 Certification (click to learn what it is). We protect your data and money at every step of the transfer and monitor in-service activity to prevent scammers from doing their dirty deeds.
Convenience
Profee transfers are always with you. If you suddenly decide to send money while on the bus, just open the app and tap a few times. No need to visit a bank branch, fill out forms, or wait in line. Whether you’re at home, on your lunch break, or halfway across the world, Profee makes sending money as simple as checking a message.
Cost of living in Canada: Groceries
After calculating everything for the apartment and utilities, food comes next.
What is the cost of living in Canada in terms of groceries?
| Utilities | Price (C$) |
|---|---|
| Basic (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 85m² | 208.43 |
| Mobile plan with 10 GB data | 61.81 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | 85.69 |
With the right approach, food expenses won’t affect the comfort of living in Canada much. Head here to learn how to save on groceries without sacrificing delicious meals.
Cost of living in Canada: Transportation
While living in Canada, you’ll notice that the country is huge but sparsely populated in some parts. So the transportation network depends on the location: huge cities have subways and buses, while remote areas can be accessed by car only.
| Transportation/Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket | 2-6 C$ |
| Monthly pass | 75-170 C$ |
| Taxi, start | 4.7 C$ |
| Taxi, 1km | 2.17 C$ |
| Gasoline, 1l | 1.56 C$ |
| New car | Starting from 20,000 C$ |
If you lead a healthy lifestyle, bikes are an excellent choice for commuting in Canada. There are special roads and dream rides, so you’ll feel comfortable. Good for your health and helps save money, since a basic bike costs around 400 C$.
Cost of living in Canada: Free time
Finally, we talk about something more pleasant — entertainment, restaurants and cultural events. Canada may seem boring to some, but we don’t think it is. There are museums, theatres, shopping areas and amazing hiking routes. Nature lovers will definitely feel at home there.
What is the cost of living in Canada regarding leisure?
| Activity type | Price |
|---|---|
| Fitness club, monthly fee | 58.64 C$ |
| Cinema, 1 seat | 15.50 C$ |
| Tennis court rent, 1 hour | 23.92 C$ |
| Museums, adults | 20 C$ |
| Aquariums, adults | 40 C$ |
And how can we not mention the shopping prices?
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Jeans | 76.37 C$ |
| Summer dress | 56.96 C$ |
| Nike running shoes | 121.62 C$ |
| Leather business shoes | 146.01 C$ |
| Wool sweater | 200 C$ |
Tip: Buy high-quality products and take good care of them. In the long term, it’ll cost you less than purchasing cheap clothes every couple of months.
The average cost of living in Canada
Is it expensive to live in Canada as a single person? Or as a family? We don’t know your income, but here’s the approximate average based on which you can decide for yourself:
- Monthly living expenses in Canada for a single person (excluding rent) = 1,461.7 C$
- For a family of four = 5,242.4 C$
With the average salary of 4,003.15 C$ after tax, it seems more than realistic to live comfortably in Canada. Of course, a lot will depend on your habits and daily routine — that’s what we’ll dive into in the next section.
How to save money and enjoy your life
The high cost of living in Canada is not an obstacle to enjoying your stay there. Adopt some of these practices and find joy in low-spending routines.
Join swap groups
Instead of shopping retail, many Canadian cities host swap events where you can exchange clothes, books, or even plants. Join online communities and find hidden treasures.
Use Too Good to Go and similar apps
It’s a cheat code for buying restaurant-level food at lower prices. Such apps let you buy unsold food from cafes, bakeries, or grocery stores that is about to expire but remains tasty and edible. You can try new meals, cut food waste, and save money at the same time.
Chase free cultural events
From outdoor movie nights and free museum admission to community festivals and concerts, Canada offers plenty of no-cost ways to experience culture. A quick search can uncover dozens of fun activities happening near you, cutting the cost of living in Canada.
FAQ — Is Canada expensive?
Is it expensive to live in Canada?
Canada is expensive. In 2025, it’s ranked 26th in the global Cost of Living Index. However, high salaries make living in Canada affordable if you don’t overspend and manage your budget wisely.
Is the cost of living in Canadian cities different?
Yes. Vancouver and Toronto are really expensive due to the rent, grocery and utilities prices. While Quebec and smaller cities are more budget-friendly.
How much does a meal cost in Canada?
Around 25 C$ on average in a pocket-friendly restaurant. You can get a breakfast for around 10 C$, but a fancy dinner may cost you over 40 C$.
Is 5000 C$ a month good in Canada?
Yes, it’s a good salary for a middle-class lifestyle.
Is it cheaper to live in Canada or the US?
According to Numbeo, Canada is 8.7% cheaper than the USA in 2025.
