Cost of Living in Canada: Your 2025 Guide

If you want to move to Canada in 2025, having a good idea of your living expenses in Canada can make a massive difference to how prepared you are for your life in Canada. A great way of working out your monthly living expenses in Canada is to have a good idea of the average cost of living in Canada and how it compares to your current cost of living in other countries.

Let’s explore everything you need to know about the cost of living across major cities and regions, with essential information on housing, transportation, food, and healthcare to help you budget effectively for your new life in Canada.

How Expensive is Canada in Comparison to Other Countries?

Canada has a strong economy. Having such a strong economy makes it a hugely sought-after immigration destination. It is home to abundant employment opportunities for foreigners with many perks like increased safety, quality education, a higher average standard of living, and quality government services.

For example, the average monthly expense for a family of four living in Canada is approximately 5,187.6 CAD, not including rent, according to Numbeo. By comparison, the same family living in Australia would have approximately 8,243.41 CAD monthly expenses.

Learn more from this complete breakdown of the cost of living in Canada vs the UK.

What Are the Costs of Living in Canada’s Major Cities?

As Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of land mass, the different areas of Canada can have vastly different cultures, sceneries, economies, and living costs. According to Numbeo, the average monthly costs of living in Canada’s top 5 most populated cities are as follows.

Canada's not always expensive and can provide a very reasonable cost of living, depending on your city. Here's a full breakdown of the cheapest places to live in Canada and the kind of lifestyle you can expect in those places.

What Are General Living Expenses in Canada Like?

As explained above, there is no general rule for how much your living expenses will be in Canada, as living expenses change based on the economy, the area you live in, and certain factors in your life. According to Numbeo, here is a breakdown of Canada's average cost of living based on several major lifestyle factors.

Dining out:

What Are the Average Salaries in Canada?

Canada's booming and growing industries, the high standard of living, and the heavy government regulations mean that Canada has very high average salaries, giving residents the spending power they need to function effectively in Canadian society. According to Numbeo, the average monthly net salary (After Tax) in Canada is 4,176.22 CAD.

To help indicate what kind of salaries you can expect in Canada, here are the average annual salaries for the most in-demand jobs in Canada, according to Talent.com.

Once you land your Canadian job, you need to get a Canadian work permit to work in Canada. If you're unsure if you're eligible for a Canadian work permit or how to apply, you should speak to a certified expert to know precisely how to apply. Our team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) can help you ensure your eligibility for a work permit and help you through every step of the application process.

How Expensive Are Accommodations in Canada?

When you arrive in Canada, you need somewhere to stay. The average rent in Canada, according to Numbeo, is as follows.

Average Rent:

For those looking to buy property in Canada, now's a fantastic time. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), the current average price for a Canadian house is 927 639,25 CAD.

Healthcare Costs in Canada?

Canada is famous for its publicly-funded universal healthcare. Every Canadian citizen or permanent resident has medical care covered or highly subsidized by the Canadian government. Most major medical procedures or even regular checkups are covered under the Canada Health Act. However, one medical aspect that isn't covered is dental care. According to the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the average spent per Canadian on healthcare is currently 12 538,80 CAD.

How Much Does Travel and Transportation Cost in Canada?

As Canada is a hugely built-up nation with plenty of world-class infrastructures, the country's methods of transport are abundant, with a wide array of vehicles and transportation costs. The primary transportation costs in Canada are as follows.

How Much Does Education Cost?

Much like Canadian health insurance, education in Canada is majorly subsidized by taxes. However, international students studying in Canada often pay international rates significantly higher than Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Schooling costs in Canada for internationals, according to Numbeo.com, are as follows:

University tuition fees in Canada range massively depending on the type of qualification and the chosen school. Currently, the annual tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate international students in Canada, according to Educanada, is 51 793,75 CAD to 30 274,33 CAD.

FAQs

What is the Minimum Wage in Canada in 2025?

As of January 2025, the Canadian government set the national minimum wage at 17.30 CAD per hour.

How Does One Ensure They Can Utilize Their Finances in Canada Effectively?

The best way to ensure this is to ensure you have a true understanding of Canada's banking system to set your accounts up so you can get your start on the right foot.