MigrantoCost of living in Canada
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Canada
Spending runs from CA$1,410 a month in the poorest fifth to CA$7,220 in the richest
Per person, whole country
CA$3,100
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
CA$1,410richest 20%
CA$7,220
Where people spend money in Canada
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Canada in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 9.5% of spending here, or CA$295 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 10.2 points less.
Among the most expensive countries in the world
More expensive than 89% of countries. A basket that costs CA$1,400 at world-middle prices costs CA$2,420 here.
The cheapest of its neighbours
No neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs CA$2,420 here against CA$2,690 in the USA, the closest on price.
Typical spending takes 67% of the average wage
A typical person spends CA$3,100 a month while the average take-home wage is CA$4,640, so 33% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Canada compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Canada against other countries
More expensive than 89% of countries
Where Canada sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs CA$1,400 at world-middle prices costs CA$2,420 here.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2024 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Canada
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Cost of living in Canada
CA$1,410/mo
vs CA$1,120 in your country
Take-home
CA$1,860
vs CA$1,680 in your country
Potential savings
CA$449
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Canada?
A typical person in Canada spends about CA$3,100 a month — around CA$37,200 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Canada?
By spending, Canada ranks #19 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about CA$3,100 a month, the poorest 20% about CA$1,410 and the richest 20% about CA$7,220. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Canada in US dollars?
The cost of living in Canada is about $2,218 a month, or roughly $26,616 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Canada?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about CA$1,410 a month per person, a typical one around CA$3,100, and a comfortable life around CA$4,130. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Canada?
The biggest expense is housing, at about CA$803 a month (26% of spending). Then come transport (CA$471, 15%) and groceries (CA$295, 10%).
Is the average salary in Canada enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about CA$3,100 a month, while the average take-home pay in Canada is about CA$4,640. For more on incomes, see salaries in Canada.
Is Canada an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Canada is more expensive than 90% of countries worldwide and ranks 3rd of 3 in North America by cost of living.
What currency is used in Canada?
Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Canada
See the full country overview