Canada (CA)
Canada is the world's second-largest country by land area and one of the most immigration-friendly nations on earth.
Capital: Ottawa
Region: Americas
Language: English
Currency: CAD (CA$)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)
Emergency: 911
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Canada — 2026 data in CAD.
72
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Moderately priced. Similar to or slightly less than Western European averages.
Food & Groceries
Bread (loaf, 675g) $3.50–5.50
Milk (4L jug) $5.50–7.50
Eggs (12 large) $4.50–7.00
Chicken breast (1kg) $12–18
Pasta (900g) $2.50–4.50
Beer (6-pack, supermarket) $13–18
Wine (750ml, decent) $14–28
Monthly groceries for 1 person $350–550
Monthly groceries for a family of 4 $900–1,400
Dining Out
Lunch special (restaurant) $15–22
Shawarma / falafel wrap $10–14
Restaurant main course (mid-range) $22–38
Coffee (latte, Tim Hortons) $3.50–5.00
Coffee (latte, specialty cafe) $6–8
Pint of beer (pub) $7–11
Dinner for 2 (mid-range, no alcohol) $60–100
Pizza delivery (large) $20–30
Fast food combo meal $14–18
Rent
Studio / bachelor (Toronto, city centre) $1,800–2,400
1-bedroom apartment (Toronto, city centre) $2,200–3,000
2-bedroom apartment (Toronto, city centre) $2,800–4,200
Studio (Vancouver, city centre) $2,000–2,700
1-bedroom (Vancouver, city centre) $2,400–3,200
1-bedroom (Calgary / Edmonton) $1,400–2,000
1-bedroom (Montreal, city centre) $1,500–2,200
1-bedroom (Ottawa / Hamilton / Kitchener) $1,600–2,200
1-bedroom (mid-size city: Halifax, Winnipeg) $1,200–1,800
Transport
Monthly transit pass (Toronto TTC) $156/month (2026)
Monthly transit pass (Vancouver TransLink) $114–170/month (zone-based)
Monthly transit pass (Montreal STM) $100/month
Single bus/metro fare (Toronto) $3.30
Taxi / rideshare base fare (Toronto) $3.25 + $1.75/km
Petrol (unleaded, per litre, Ontario) $1.55–1.90
GO Train / commuter rail (monthly, 30km zone) $200–350/month
Monthly parking garage (Toronto downtown) $250–500/month
Health & Insurance
Provincial health insurance (employee) Free at point of care (funded by taxes)
GP visit (with provincial health card) Free
Dental cleaning (2x/year, no insurance) $150–300 per visit
Prescription (no drug plan) $20–120+ depending on medication
Employer extended health/dental benefits $0 (employer-paid) or $1,800–5,400/year (private)
Newcomer bridge insurance (3-month wait) $100–300/month per adult
Eye exam + basic glasses $200–500 (not covered by OHIP for adults)
Emergency room visit (covered by provincial health) Free with health card; $1,500–5,000+ without
Utilities
Electricity (1-bedroom apartment, Toronto) $60–120
Gas / heat (1-bedroom apartment) $40–120 (winter peaks higher)
Broadband internet (50–150 Mbit) $55–90
Mobile phone plan (with data, 5GB) $35–55
Mobile phone plan (unlimited data) $55–80
Condo maintenance fee (typical 1-bed, Toronto) $400–800/month
Childcare
Licensed daycare (under 6, CWELCC-reduced fee) $10–20/day target (varies by province and provider)
Licensed daycare (before CWELCC expansion) $40–70/day (some operators not yet enrolled)
Before/after school care (age 6–12) $400–800/month
International school (K–12) $15,000–30,000+/year
Babysitter (per hour) $18–28
Summer camp (1 week, day camp) $200–600
Leisure
Cinema ticket $16–22
Gym membership (big box: GoodLife, Fit4Less) $25–60/month
Museum entrance (ROM Toronto, average) $28 adults (free on Tuesdays after 3pm)
NHL game ticket (mid-range) $100–300
Sports league / recreational hockey $80–200/season
Haircut (men, barbershop) $25–50
Haircut (women, salon) $60–120
Public outdoor pool (city, day pass) $5–8
National Park day pass $10.50/vehicle (Parks Canada 2026)
Cost of Living
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