The cost of living in Canada will differ for everyone. It is heavily dependent on where you live, the size of your family, whether you rent or own your home, and whether you drive your own car or use public transport.
Housing is usually the largest expense people face in Canada, with the price per square foot of an apartment in the city center being $431 and $358 outside the city center.
In this guide, we will explore the current cost of living in Canada for foreigners considering relocation. We will examine the cost of rent, groceries, utilities, healthcare, childcare, and transportation.
This is important for foreigners who want to explore relocating to Canada. Our Canadian immigration experts at Global Citizen Solutions (GCS) created this guide to provide a better sense of the cost of living in the country.
Cost of Living in Canada – Key Takeaways
What Is the Cost of Living in Canada?
According to Numbeo, as of September 2026, the cost of living in Canada per month is $3,707 for a family of four, excluding rent, and $1,016 for a single person, also excluding rent.
However, these numbers are merely estimates that change quickly, as your actual cost of living will depend on a wide range of factors such as whether you are renting in Canada or buying, transportation, family size, and lifestyle. So, there is no reliable monthly total that applies to every single person, couple, or family.
Housing is usually the largest expense. As of 6 September 2026, the national rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $1,277 in a city center and $1,127 outside the center.
The following table combines national rent estimates, Toronto price examples, and current public-service information. The monetary observations are intended as budgeting anchors rather than guaranteed prices.
| Expense category | Cost or treatment | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (one bedroom) | $1,277 in a city center; $1,127 outside the center | Actual rent will depend on the city, neighborhood, property, and lease. |
| Rent (three bedroom) | $2,034 in a city center; $1,768 outside the center | Larger homes may cost more. |
| Groceries | $2.21 for one liter of milk, $2.39 for a 1lb loaf of bread and $3.52 for 12 eggs | Total grocery bill depends on family size, diet, preferred shops, and meal frequency |
| Public transport | $2.48 for one way ticket (local transport) $74 for monthly public transport pass | Toronto introduced monthly fare capping on 31 August 2026. After 47 eligible paid fares using the same payment method in a calendar month, further eligible TTC journeys are free. |
| Internet | $59 per month for unlimited data (broadband) | Plans differ by provider, location, speed. |
| Childcare | $760 for private full-Day preschool or kindergarten, monthly fee per Child | Canada is working toward average fees of C$10 a day. This is not a guaranteed fee for every family or childcare provider. |
| Mobile plan | $42 for mobile phone plan/data for at least 10 GB | The price depends on the data allowance, device financing and provider. |
| International tuition | $14,313 for annual primary school tuition per child | The actual cost depends on the institution. Additional expenses may still apply |
| Basic utilities | $148 per month for a 915 square feet apartment, excluding phone plan and broadband internet | Costs vary by province, season, dwelling, and provider. |
| Restaurant meal | $17.73 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant | Taxes and tips may increase the final amount you pay |
| Public healthcare | Eligible residents can apply for provincial or territorial health insurance | Public plans cover hospital, physician, and certain surgical-dental services that are medically necessary. |
| Personal and household expenses | No reliable national total | Include clothing, household supplies, entertainment, subscriptions, personal care, savings and emergency expenses. |
| Dental, prescriptions and vision care | No single country-wide price | Residents may pay directly or use private insurance for services like routine dental care, vision, etc. |
| Public elementary and secondary education | Publicly funded for eligible students | Eligibility and any tuition requirements depend on provincial rules, and immigration status. Supplies, transport, meals, and activities may still create additional costs. |
Cost observations: Numbeo, accessed 24 September 2026. All figures in USD
Housing and Utilities Costs in Canada
Housing costs depend on the location and size of the property. A one-bedroom apartment in Toronto costs $1,604 in the city center and $1,439 outside it. A three-bedroom apartment costs $2,698 in the center and $2,158 outside it.
The price per square foot to purchase an apartment in the city center is $749, and $626 outside the city center. Note that other costs may also apply when purchasing an apartment.
According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), the average property sale price was C$668,219 in August 2026. Note that this average price is for multiple completed transactions and house types and not the price of a typical home in Canada.
Groceries and Eating Out Costs in Canada
The amount you will spend on groceries and eating out depends on the size of your household, dietary needs, how often you shop, and where you live.
For example, a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant in Toronto costs $78, and $70 in the same restaurant in Calgary. Also, one liter of milk costs $2.72 in Toronto and $1.86 in Calgary.
Transportation Costs in Canada
Transportation costs will depend on whether you live in an urban or rural area. For example, if you live in downtown Toronto with its extensive public transportation, you may not need a car. However, if you live in a city like Calgary, you may need a car as it is quite large, especially if you live in the outer suburbs or industrial areas.
In Toronto, the adult TTC fare is around $2 when paid with PRESTO, debit, or credit. Most standard monthly passes were discontinued on 31 August 2026.
Under the monthly fare-capping system, a passenger who pays 47 eligible fares using the same PRESTO card, debit card, credit card, or mobile-wallet payment method will not be charged for further eligible TTC journeys during that calendar month. Cash payments and PRESTO Tickets do not count toward the cap.
If you plan to drive in Canada, you should also budget for the following:
- Vehicle payments or depreciation
- Insurance
- Fuel
- Registration and licensing
- Parking
- Maintenance, repairs, and tires
Healthcare and Health Insurance Costs in Canada
Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system, but the provinces and territories administer the coverage. If you are an eligible resident, you can apply for health insurance in the province or territory in which you live.
Note that provincial and territorial plans will cover only medically necessary physician and certain surgical-dental services. They do not necessarily cover every healthcare expense. So, depending on the jurisdiction where you live, you may still need to pay for the following:
- Routine dental care
- Outpatient prescription drugs
- Eye examinations, glasses and contact lenses
- Ambulance services
- Physiotherapy and other complementary services
- Private or preferred hospital accommodation
- Medical certificates and certain administrative services
Some residents may receive additional public benefits or use employer-provided or individually purchased private insurance.
Education Costs in Canada
Eligible students in Canada can access publicly funded elementary and secondary education. However, enrolment and tuition rules depend on the province, the student’s immigration status, and the school board. Additional costs like supplies, transport, technology, uniforms, meals, and extracurricular activities should also be accounted for.
According to Statistics Canada, tuition for international students for the 2025/2026 academic year was $41,746 for undergraduate study and $24,028 for graduate study. However, the actual fee will depend on the institution and program.
Accommodation, books, transport, health insurance, and other additional charges may also increase costs.
Childcare Costs in Canada
Childcare costs depend on the following factors:
- Province or territory
- Child’s age
- Type and hours of care
- Is the provider licensed or regulated?
- Does the provider participate in a government-funded system?
- Is a subsidized place available?
- Is your household eligible for additional support?
Canada’s early-learning and childcare policy works toward a C$10 per day cost in average fees. However, this does not mean every family will be able to get a spot at this price. Some provinces have adopted this fee, while others have simply reduced their average fees by at least 50% (around $7).
How to Build a Monthly Budget in Canada
The best way to build a monthly budget in Canada is to consider your exact situation, including where you live, how big your family is, separate the necessities from the luxuries, and keep emergency funds.
Rent or housing is usually the largest expense, so start with that. Then add utilities, internet, mobile plans, groceries, transport, and any regular healthcare costs that are not covered by a provincial or territorial health plan.
Families should consider childcare and education costs and car costs if they own one.
The table below is an example of how you can build a simple monthly budget in Canada
| Budget item | Single adult | Couple | Two adults, two children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing example (Toronto, outside city center) | One-bedroom: $1,439 per month | Shared one-bedroom: $1,439 per month | Three-bedroom: $2,158 per month |
| Non-rent costs | Canada-wide estimate: $1,016 per month | Calculate each adult’s expenses rather than simply doubling the estimate for one person | Canada-wide estimate: $3,707 per month |
| Shared expenses | Not applicable | Rent, utilities, and internet | Rent, utilities, and internet |
| Individual or variable expenses | Groceries, phone, transport and uninsured healthcare | Each adult’s groceries, phone, transport and uninsured healthcare | Groceries, transport, healthcare, childcare and education |
Note: Figures are in USD and are based on Numbeo estimates for September 2026. The housing figures use Toronto as an example, while the non-rent estimates are Canada-wide. Your actual budgets will vary by location, household needs, and lifestyle.
Toronto, New York, and London Cost Comparison
The table below compares the cost of living for specific features across Toronto, New York, and London.
| City and expense | Toronto | New York | London |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment in the city center | $1,604 | $4,437 | $2,853 |
| One-bedroom apartment outside the city center | $1,439 | $3,033 | $2,277 |
| Basic utilities for 915 square foot apartment | $123.93 | $231.65 | $361.33 |
| One liter of milk | $2.72 | $1.36 | $1.85 |
Source: Numbeo
The comparison shows that one city is not completely more affordable than another. The differences depend on what you are comparing. So, a product or city comparison cannot completely determine that one country is more affordable than another.
