The question of the cost of living in USA vs Canada has troubled people for quite a long time, and its answer hasn’t come up until now. With large territories and livable environments, both of the two countries attract numerous people to move here and have their own characteristics. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look into the average cost of living in Canada vs USA.
Cost of Living in USA vs Canada: Accommodation
First, we’ll make a comparison of accommodation costs between the two countries, helping you learn well about the living costs in different regions.
| Average Cost of Living in Canada vs USA: Rent | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | US | Canada |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 1,744.35 $ | 1,316.27 $ |
| (2,432.05 C$) | (1,835.21 C$) | |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 1,437.27 $ | 1,167.97 $ |
| (2,003.91 C$) | (1,628.44 C$) | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 2,895.26 $ | 2,112.25 $ |
| (4,036.72 C$) | (2,945.00 C$) | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 2,401.49 $ | 1,830.64 $ |
| (3,348.28 C$) | (2,552.37 C$) | |
The form above show you the average cost of living in Canada vs USA in terms of renting, and we’ll also offer you the details of purchasing a property.
| Average Cost of Living in Canada vs USA: Buying Apartment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | US | Canada |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 3,224.33 $ | 6,694.18 $ |
| (4,495.52 C$) | (9,333.37 C$) | |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 2,711.88 $ | 4,681.20 $ |
| (3,781.04 C$) | (6,526.76 C$) | |
All the data source from Numbeo, the world’s largest cost of living database. After browsing these information of cost of living in USA vs Canada, we can see the average spending of the USA on renting is higher than that of Canada, while the cost of buying an apartment is more in Canada than in US, which highlights the differences in the cost of living between the two nations in terms of accommodation.
Cost of Living in USA vs Canada: Education
If you plan to move to Canada or the USA with your family or raise a child, it’s essential to manage your cost of living. In this part, you’ll be offered a form of average cost of living in Canada vs USA regarding education.
| Average Cost of Living in Canada vs USA: Education | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | US | Canada |
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | 1,372.36 $ | 791.03 $ |
| (1,913.41 C$) | (1,102.89 C$) | |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | 22,564.26 $ | 11,757.15 $ |
| (31,460.22 C$) | (16,392.41 C$) | |
| University or College | 9400$ | 5041$ |
| (12,878 C$) | (6,906 C$) | |
When it comes to scholarships, most universities in Canada are public institutions, where the scholarships are for domestic students instead of international applicants. In general, the cost of education in Canada is higher than that of the US.
Cost of Living in USA vs Canada: Food
In this section, you’ll learn about the average cost of living in Canada vs USA regarding food and drinking, from two forms: one for restaurants and the other for formarkets.
| Average Cost of Living in Canada vs USA: Restaurants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | US | Canada |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 20.00 $ | 17.93 $ |
| (27.89 C$) | (25.00 C$) | |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 75.00 $ | 71.72 $ |
| (104.57 C$) | (100.00 C$) | |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 11.50 $ | 10.76 $ |
| (16.03 C$) | (15.00 C$) | |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 6.00 $ | 5.74 $ |
| (8.37 C$) | (8.00 C$) | |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 7.00 $ | 5.74 $ |
| (9.76 C$) | (8.00 C$) | |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 5.24 $ | 3.71 $ |
| (7.30 C$) | (5.17 C$) | |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.56 $ | 2.07 $ |
| (3.57 C$) | (2.89 C$) | |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.09 $ | 1.68 $ |
| (2.91 C$) | (2.34 C$) | |
The above form is about the cost of living in USA vs Canada on restaurants, while the following one is about markets.
| Average Cost of Living in Canada vs USA: Markets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | US | Canada |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 1.06 $ | 2.22 $ |
| (1.47 C$) | (3.09 C$) | |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 3.63 $ | 2.66 $ |
| (5.06 C$) | (3.71 C$) | |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 4.61 $ | 3.63 $ |
| (6.42 C$) | (5.06 C$) | |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 4.27 $ | 3.46 $ |
| (5.95 C$) | (4.83 C$) | |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 12.93 $ | 11.28 $ |
| (18.02 C$) | (15.72 C$) | |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 12.19 $ | 12.05 $ |
| (16.99 C$) | (16.80 C$) | |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 16.30 $ | 14.72 $ |
| (22.72 C$) | (20.52 C$) | |
| Apples (1kg) | 5.28 $ | 4.14 $ |
| (7.36 C$) | (5.78 C$) | |
| Banana (1kg) | 1.68 $ | 1.42 $ |
| (2.34 C$) | (1.98 C$) | |
| Oranges (1kg) | 4.50 $ | 3.79 $ |
| (6.27 C$) | (5.29 C$) | |
| Tomato (1kg) | 4.90 $ | 4.07 $ |
| (6.84 C$) | (5.68 C$) | |
| Potato (1kg) | 2.93 $ | 2.64 $ |
| (4.09 C$) | (3.68 C$) | |
| Onion (1kg) | 3.08 $ | 2.63 $ |
| (4.29 C$) | (3.67 C$) | |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 2.20 $ | 2.52 $ |
| (3.07 C$) | (3.51 C$) | |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 2.23 $ | 1.79 $ |
| (3.11 C$) | (2.49 C$) | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 15.00 $ | 12.91 $ |
| (20.91 C$) | (18.00 C$) | |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 1.95 $ | 2.94 $ |
| (2.72 C$) | (4.09 C$) | |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.59 $ | 3.29 $ |
| (5.01 C$) | (4.59 C$) | |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 10.00 $ | 14.34 $ |
| (13.94 C$) | (20.00 C$) | |
The expenditure on food accounts for a great proportion of daily spending, and the prices of food have an impact on your life, especially for those frequently dining in restaurants. Generally speaking, the prices of necessities in Canada are lower than in the US.
Cost of Living in USA vs Canada: Healthcare
Regarding healthcare, can you believe the US is one of the most costly countries? The annual private health insurance in the USA is about $7,392, while in Canada, it’s approximately $4,000. You need to notice that if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you don’t have to pay for individual visits because the healthcare is paid for with your taxes. Therefore, Canada costs less in terms of the cost of living in USA vs Canada.
Cost of Living in USA vs Canada: Parenting
The cost of parenting is an indispensable part of the cost of living in USA vs Canada. In the US, the cost of delivering a baby ranges from $11,000 to $21,000, whereas in Canada, there is no cost due to the public healthcare system. In addition, Canadian families can receive child benefits from the government: they can receive $6,400 per year for children under the age of 6 and up to $5,400 between the ages of 6 and 17. The amount of the benefit varies among different falimies based on parental income. However, parents in the US can only claim a tax credit for childcare expenses, which is still limited to $1,000, a far cry from the benefits and tax incentives available to Canadian parents. Besides, maternity leave policies are rather different between the two countries. For example, while American mothers can only get an unpaid maternity leave of 12 weeks, Canadian parents can share 18 months of maternity leave and get funding during the maternity leave.
Cost of Living in USA vs Canada: Employment
As the country with the highest GDP in the world, the US prioritizes providing employment opportunities for its own citizens. Even if new immigrants are employees of renowned companies, they must hold an H-1B work visa, and before getting a green card, they have to wait for several years. In contrast, Canada provides a welcoming environment for immigrants because the 13 provinces in Canada face labour shortages, offering many employment opportunities for all immigrants. Since both countries have their own strengths, applicants can determine which country’s immigration policies better suit them and then select the destination.
What Can uhomes.com Do for You?
Since both the US and Canada are developed countries in the world, they have respective advantages for specific groups. If you are an international student seeking further study abroad, then you must pick an ideal accommodation. At our online platform, uhomes.com, you’ll have many excellent options for living. Whether you’re looking for a student accommodation in the US or a comfortable living environment in Canada, with a few clicks, you can find the perfect one!
Conclusion of Cost of Living in USA vs Canada
After reading the blog, you must have learned a lot about cost of living in USA vs Canada. If you choose the US, you’ll lose the clean city environments and free healthcares; if you pick Canada, you can’t enjoy the warmer weather and lower taxes. Just select your favorite one. May you have a nice life!
FAQ of Cost of Living in USA vs Canada
Is it cheaper to go to Canada or USA?
To be honest, no. Both Canada and the US have a high cost of living. Canada faces significantly steeper housing prices, whereas the US struggles with far greater healthcare expenses. Although wages in the US tend to be somewhat higher, Canadians often achieve competitive salaries with lower educational requirements, making upward mobility more accessible.
Are salaries higher in the US or Canada?
Yes. Official statistics show that in 2021, Canada’s median income stood at 68,400 CAD (Statistics Canada), compared to 70,784 USD in the U.S. (U.S. Census).
Is food cheaper in US or Canada?
No. According to the survey, the consumer prices are higher in Canada. It shows that the food is 57% more expensive in Canada than in the US.
Is it worth moving to USA from Canada?
It totally depends on you. If you choose the US, you’ll lose the clean city environments and free healthcares; if you pick Canada, you can’t enjoy the warmer weather and lower taxes.
Are taxes higher in Canada or the USA?
Canada’s 33% federal tax rate (2024) is lower than the U.S.’s 37%, but adding provincial taxes makes Canada’s overall rates frequently higher than America’s federal-state combined rates across income levels.
