Please Note: The average cost of living in Canada is subject to change in due time according to the economic fluctuations in Canada. Please consider these values as an estimation.
Canada is one of the most popular countries among immigrants because it offers a lower cost of living than other countries like the US and Australia. This blog will list the average cost to live in Canada for permanent residents, foreign workers, and students planning to come to the country in 2024 or later.
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Cost of living in Canada: An Overview
- What is the Average cost of living in Canada?
- Average cost of groceries in Canada
- Cost of Utilities in Canada
- Average cost for Permanent residents and workers
- Average cost for international students
- Average cost of education for international students in Canada
- Expenses according to Canadian provinces and territories
What is the Average cost of living in Canada?
The average monthly cost of living in Canada in 2024 is $6196 (CAD) or ₹ 3,76,734.77 (INR) for a family of four members. However, the average expenditure significantly depends on whether you plan to settle permanently, as a student, or as a temporary worker. The average cost of living in Canada is given in the table below.
| Monthly Cost of Living (Canadian Dollar) | Status in Canada (single person) |
|---|---|
| $1600 | Permanent Resident or temporary worker |
| $1400 | Students |
The cost of living in Canada depends upon average expenditure on accommodation, healthcare, transportation, food, clothing, and education. Before moving to Canada as a permanent resident, worker, or student you must research how much you will need to spend on such basic expenses.
Average Cost of Groceries in Canada
The average weekly cost of groceries in Canada can be anywhere between $150 – $200 (Canadian dollars). However, it fluctuates according to your lifestyle and the province and city you live in. The average grocery costs are given in the table below.
| Products | Average Cost in Canada in Canadian Dollars |
|---|---|
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | $ 21.42 |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | $ 3.84 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $ 4.84 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | $ 6.23 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $ 5.76 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $ 19.46 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | $ 20.9 |
| Apples (1kg) | $ 6.27 |
| Banana (1kg) | $ 2.01 |
| Oranges (1kg) | $ 5.96 |
| Tomato (1kg) | $ 7.5 |
| Potato (1kg) | $ 5.42 |
| Onion (1kg) | $ 4.47 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $ 3.68 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | $ 2.61 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $ 21 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $ 3.96 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $ 5.39 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack | $ 20 |
Cost of Utilities in Canada
| Monthly Utility Expenses | Cost in Canada |
|---|---|
| Basic such as Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, and Garbage for an 85m2 Apartment | $206.57 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | $64.79 |
| Internet 60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL | $85.42 |
Cost of Rent in Canada
Rent in Canada is dependent on the location of the apartment. The following table lists the average rent of a two-bedroom apartment in Canadian provinces.
| Provinces | Cost of 2-bedroom flat in Canadian Dollars (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Alberta | $1465 |
| British Columbia | $1903.00 |
| Quebec | $1665.98 |
| Saskatchewan | $1322.50 |
| Manitoba | $1237.76 |
| New Brunswick | $1255 |
| Prince Edward Island (PEI) | $1235 |
| Ontario | $2501.40 |
| Nova Scotia | $1569 |
Taxes in Canada
In Canada, some money will be deducted from your paycheck. This deduction is known as tax. Canada levies Sales tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Provincial Sales Tax (PST), and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Tax rates in Canada are given below.
| Provinces | PST | GST | HST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | – | 5% | – |
| British Columbia | 7% | 5% | – |
| Manitoba | 7% | 5% | – |
| New Brunswick | – | – | 15% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | – | – | 15% |
| Northwest Territories | – | 5% | – |
| Nova Scotia | – | – | 15% |
| Nunavut | – | 5% | – |
| Ontario | – | – | 13% |
| Prince Edward Island | – | – | 15% |
| Quebec | 9.975% | 5% | – |
| Saskatchewan | 6% | 5% | – |
| Yukon | – | 5% | – |
Average cost for Permanent residents and workers
The average cost for an individual who is living or working in Canada can range anywhere between $1500- $3000 (CAD). The cost of living depends on factors like the province and city you live in and your lifestyle. Major expenses in Canada include rent, education, transportation, food, clothing, and healthcare.
| Expenses | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Monthly rent or accommodation | $1696 – $1907 |
| Transportation | $200 |
| Healthcare | $30 – $150 |
| Grocery (weekly) | $150-$200 |
| Monthly Utilities (electricity, heating, water, phone, internet, etc) | $357 |
| Primary Education (if applicable) | $ 2000 |
| A new car | $27,775.43 – $33,978.00 |
| Taxes (GST, PST, HST) | 5%-15% |
Average Cost for International Students in Canada
The average cost of living in Canada for international students is around $1400 CAD. This does not include the academic course fee. The average expenditure for students living in Canada is given in the table below.
| Expenses | Cost in Canada (per month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Living on campus is usually paid annually. On the other hand, rent for private housing is paid monthly. At least 25% of the total cost of living in Canada is spent on accommodation. | $500-$2000 |
| Food and groceries | $240-$480 |
| Utilities and cable | $100 |
| Internet | $100 |
| Phone | $60 |
| Healthcare insurance | $75 – $120 |
| Entertainment | $120 |
| Transportation | $80 – $156 |
| Total cost of living in Canada for international students | $3136 |
Education cost for international students in Canada
The cost of education for international students in Canada depends on the level of course, university, and duration of study. While public schools can cost anywhere between $9,500 – $17,000 annually, universities might cost as much as $36,100 – $21,100 (CAD). The average academic expense is listed in the table below.
| Study level | Cost per year (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Public schools | $9,500 – $17,000 |
| Private or independent day schools | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Private boarding schools | $63,000 – $83,000 |
| Language schools | $340 – $425 (per week) |
| College and vocational schools | $7,000 – $22,000 |
| Undergraduate programs in a Canadian university | $36,100 |
| Postgraduate programs in a Canadian university | $21,100 |
| Doctoral Degree | $7,000 – $15,000 |
| MBA | $30,000 – $40,000 |
Expenses according to Canadian provinces and territories
The average cost of living in Canada varies according to the province and city you live in. This section includes the average cost of living in major Canadian provinces.
| Expenses | Ontario | Saskatchewan | Quebec | Alberta | British Columbia | Manitoba |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $2501.40 | $1322.50 | $1665.98 | $1366.75 | $1903.00 | $1237.76 |
| Transport | $284.00 | $196.67 | $255.50 | $150.20 | $200.00 | $159.80 |
| Grocery | $143.87 | $144.55 | $145.71 | $143.05 | $170.72 | $138.07 |
| Utilities | 292.17 | $494.00 | $227.72 | $424.28 | $374.66 | $348.47 |
| Taxes | 13% | 11% | 14.9% | 5% | 12% | 12% |
It is crucial to assess your budget before planning for Canada Immigration. Now you can get Canada PR filed by a CICC-licensed agent in the lowest price possible. Contact Talent Connected Worldwide and make your PR visa dreams come true.
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