Canada is a top destination for international migrants. Its stable government and multicultural society are part of the allure. Similarly, the country’s thriving economy, strong job market, quality education, and universal healthcare all contribute to one of the best living standards in the world.
But it’s also one of the most expensive countries. Economic trends like work stoppages, tariffs, increasing housing prices, and the depreciation of the Canadian dollar influence affordability. Also, living costs vary between urban centers like Toronto or Vancouver and smaller cities or rural areas.
At Remitly, we strive to help expats plan well for life abroad. Are you planning a big move to Canada? This guide will help you understand what accommodation, utilities, education, healthcare, and daily necessities cost in the current economic climate.
Housing costs in Canada
Housing is one of the major living expenses in Canada. Major cities are more expensive than smaller cities and towns, and proximity to the city center affects housing prices, too.
Average rent prices
According to Rentals.ca, the monthly average rent in Canada was $2,127 CAD as of April 2025. Vancouver is the most expensive city, with an average rent cost of $2,831 CAD—higher than the national average. Toronto follows closely with an average of $2,618 CAD, trailed by Halifax at $2,288 CAD.
Meanwhile, the cities with the cheapest rent prices include Winnipeg, at $1,659 CAD; Edmonton, at $1,621 CAD; and Regina, at $1,375 CAD. These are some of the most affordable areas for newcomers in Canada.
Buying vs. renting
But what if you buy instead of renting?
Canada technically restricts foreigners from procuring housing, either directly or indirectly. The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act bans non-citizens from buying residential property in the country. This law aims to increase accessibility for Canadian citizens and reduce competition for homes. It’s also designed to help regulate housing prices, making property more affordable to locals.
Fortunately, you might be eligible to acquire property in Canada as a foreigner if you:
- Are in the country on a work or study visa, meet certain criteria, and are willing to buy property worth less than $500,000 CAD.
- Acquire property outside Census Agglomerations (CA) and Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA).
- Buy property with a Canadian citizen, their spouse, or common-law partner.
- Purchase rural vacant land, a vacation villa, recreational property, or a cottage.
Permanent and temporary residents must meet the exemption criteria to purchase residential property.
Restrictions aside, expect to pay an average of $800,000 CAD when buying a house in Ontario or British Columbia. Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the most affordable areas, where homes cost an average of $319,634 CAD. The national average home purchase price is $530,000 CAD.
Cost of utilities in Canada
Utilities in Canada include electricity, natural gas, water, internet, waste collection, and sewerage services. Costs differ based on location, housing type, and consumption levels. Depending on the season, your area may also be subject to adjustments due to extreme weather. So, keep checking for weather advisories to know if and when your location is affected.
Electricity
Electricity is regulated at the provincial or territorial level, so confirm your regional supplier. That said, your electricity bill will depend on the following factors:
- Seasonal demand: You’ll pay more during winter, usually from November to March. This is when temperatures are bitterly cold, so you have to find supplemental ways to heat your home.
- Territory or province: The average electricity cost in Canada is $0.192 CAD per kWh. Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nova Scotia have some of the highest energy prices.
- Energy sources: Your utility costs will fluctuate depending on what kind of energy you use, whether hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, solar, or fossil fuels. Petroleum-based sources are among the most expensive.
- Household consumption: Most Canadian homes are built to withstand cold temperatures. However, some homes are better at warming than others, affecting household consumption. The number of people living in a house and the appliances used also affect consumption.
Canada is serious about its decarbonization efforts and aims to achieve sustainable development by 2030.
Natural gas
Canadians use natural gas to cook and heat their homes. As a major natural gas exporter, it’s also one of the country’s biggest income earners.
You see, Canada is cold all year round, especially in the northern parts, where summers last less than two months. As a result, natural gas can be pretty pricey for consumers, and many struggle with the high energy costs. Data from 2023 shows that at least 2.5 million Canadian households had to forgo everyday necessities to pay their energy bill.
As of March 2025, provinces like Alberta billed natural gas at $1.64 CAD per gigajoule (GJ), against a national average of $2.85 CAD per GJ. The number only keeps decreasing.
Water
The average Canadian uses 335 liters of water daily on typical activities like cooking, drinking, bathing, flushing the toilet, cleaning, and laundry.
The quality of drinking water is excellent. Health Canada, in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water (CDW), regulates the sector and sets guidelines for the whole country.
Expect to pay an average of $74 CAD for a single-family residential household. Toronto, for example, charges $3.2809 CAD/m3 for consumption over 5,000 m3.
Wastewater
Your water bill also contains sewage costs. All wastewater must be treated before being discharged to the environment.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario, for instance, charges sewage rates of 71% and 93% of the water bill for residents and non-residents, respectively.
Internet
As of 2022, 93.5% of Canadians could access high-speed internet. This number is expected to increase to 98% by 2026.
Unfortunately, Canada offers one of the most expensive internet services globally. The average cost is $80 CAD, but it can range from $20 CAD to $300 CAD depending on location, provider, and internet type.
Consider these major internet and telecommunications providers:
- Bell
- Rogers
- Telus
- Shaw
- Vidéotron (in Quebec)
Transportation
Canada has one of the biggest, safest, and most efficient transport systems globally. You can travel by air, rail, water, or road. You’ll also enjoy excellent connectivity between major cities and smaller towns via buses, subways, light-rail systems, and ferries.
Average cost of public transportation in Canada
Like housing and healthcare, transportation is a significant expense in Canada. Using public transportation is a great way to reduce costs.
Prepare to spend an average of $105 CAD monthly. You may pay less or more depending on the mode of transport, distance traveled, and time. Commutes during rush hours are costlier.
Transit agencies like TransLink, Société de transport de Montréal (STM), and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) ensure smooth public transportation throughout Canada.
Let’s look at the TTC, which operates a successful rail and bus system:
- Over 2,000 buses operate on more than 150 routes, and three rapid transit lines operate in over 70 stations.
- Children aged 12 and below ride for free with the TTC. Don’t worry if they are tall for their age—a TTC Child Proof-Of-Age Card will ease the verification process.
- Seniors aged 65 and above also have incentives to ride with the TTC. They pay $2.30 CAD for a single fare, compared to the regular adult rate of $3.35 CAD.
Cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle in Canada
Owning a car is also an option, provided your driver’s license is valid. These are some of the expected costs:
- Average cost of purchasing a car: $65,219 CAD
- Car insurance: The minimum cover you can buy is worth $200,000 CAD, or $50,000 CAD in Quebec. Premiums vary based on your age, vehicle model, marital status, and driving history. Rates range from $1,112 CAD to $3,151 CAD.
- Fuel: Self-service stations typically charge $1.392 CAD per liter for regular, unleaded gasoline.
- Carwash: Shell Canada offers one ultimate carwash per day for $59.99 CAD monthly.
Emerging trends in transportation
Transportation is Canada’s second-largest source of greenhouse gases (GHGs), significantly contributing to climate change. That’s why authorities are actively embracing sustainability in the sector. A few environmentally friendly trends are emerging, including:
- E-bikes
- Electric vehicles
- Increased promotion of public transport systems
- Greater investment in smart infrastructure
- Exploring alternative fuels, even in the aviation industry.
Healthcare
Canada’s universal healthcare system is funded through taxes. This means citizens and permanent residents can access subsidized health care, provided they have Medicare: public health insurance.
What does universal healthcare cover?
Healthcare costs in Canada are quite high compared to the rest of the world. But with a health card, you can access essential medical services such as doctor visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drugs, and immunizations. The cards don’t cover dental or eye care.
Canadian healthcare for expats is different. Unless you’re a permanent resident and meet eligibility criteria, you’re not covered under Medicare. Instead, you’ll pay medical bills out-of-pocket unless you have private insurance.
In some provinces, newcomers eligible for coverage under the Canada Health Act (CHA) might wait up to 90 days before they can access free healthcare.
Average healthcare costs
Here’s an outline of a few healthcare costs in Canada:
- Private health insurance: Between $50 CAD and $400 CAD or more per month. This depends on age, health, duration of coverage, and number of dependents.
- Emergency room visit: Free to stabilize you. Afterwards, you could pay $1,000 CAD and more.
- Basic surgery: Could get up to $20,000 CAD.
- Consulting a specialist: Between $200 CAD and $400 CAD per visit.
- Dental: A standard checkup costs between $150 CAD and $300 CAD, while dental cleaning could cost as much as $430 CAD.
- Optical: An eye exam, which includes a comprehensive eye health assessment, vision test, eye pressure check, and dilation, can set you back $150 CAD.
Medical insurance options for newcomers and expatriates
Permanent residents usually receive public health coverage from their home province or territory. Meanwhile, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) temporarily covers refugees.
Consider private health insurance options like:
- Aetna International
- Allianz Care
- AXA Global Healthcare
- Bupa Global
- Cigna Global Health
- PassportCard Global
- GeoBlue
Education and childcare
Canada ranks highly on the OECD Better Life Index, assuring you a good quality of life. This makes it an ideal destination if you’re relocating with family.
School fees in Canada
For primary and secondary school, you’ll pay up to $17,000 CAD annually in public schools. Private day schools charge up to $30,000 CAD, while you’ll part with $83,000 CAD to enroll one child in a private boarding school.
Childcare costs
You may need to budget for childcare fees for infants and preschoolers. Fortunately, under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, provinces like Ontario have capped childcare fees at an all-inclusive rate of $22 CAD per day.
Post-secondary education and living expenses for university students
- Tuition fees: $2,500 CAD to $11,400 CAD annually for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
- Language school: This is necessary if your child doesn’t speak English or French well, which are the languages of instruction in Canada. You’ll pay up to $425 CAD weekly for this service.
- College and vocational programs: Up to $22,000 CAD annually.
- University: Prepare to pay up to $36,100 CAD annually for undergraduate studies, and $21,100 CAD for postgraduate studies. Also, student living costs are approximately $15,000 CAD per year.
Daily expenses
For normal day-to-day living, you’ll need to buy groceries, dine out occasionally, go to the gym, watch a movie at the theater, go to the park, or explore your hobbies.
Here are some numbers.
- Groceries: $16,833.67 CAD annually, for a family of four.
- Eating out: $63 CAD on average per person.
- Gym membership: An average monthly rate of between $50 CAD and $72 CAD. Premium gyms can charge up to $103 CAD in urban areas and $30 CAD in smaller towns.
- Movie theater: The standard admission movie ticket price is $16 CAD.
- National park entry fees: $10 CAD per person.
Regional cost of living
The most affordable cities in Canada usually lie outside the main urban hubs. Smaller towns are often more affordable. Let’s compare average rent and transportation costs in select areas.
| Region | Median rent (CAD) | Average monthly transportation cost (CAD) |
| Vancouver, British Columbia | 2,831 | 136 |
| Toronto, Ontario | 2,618 | 250 |
| Montreal, Quebec | 1,997 | 94 |
| Ottawa, Ontario | 2,338 | 130 |
| Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1,659 | 200 |
| Quebec City, Quebec | 1,976 | 98 |
| Calgary, Alberta | 1,943 | 115 |
| Edmonton, Alberta | 1,621 | 100 |
| Halifax, Nova Scotia | 2,288 | 85 |
Tips to manage living costs in Canada
To save on rent, utility bills, and groceries, follow these simple tips:
- Consider using energy-saving and energy-efficient bulbs and appliances.
- Fix leaks and close taps when not in use. Also, consider low-flow showers and taps.
- Compare providers to get the best rates.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle at every opportunity.
- Consider living outside urban hubs and city centers.
- Buy groceries in season.
- Take advantage of coupons and discounts.
- Stick to your shopping list, buying only what you need to prevent wastage.
- Get a roommate, if feasible.
Build an affordable life in Canada
You’ll love life in Canada, where you can experience the best in income, healthcare, education, transport, and environmental quality. As long as you plan for common expenses in advance and find ways to save money, you can save, set aside money to help family back home, and make life more affordable here.
FAQ
How much is rent in Canada?
The average monthly rent in Canada is $2,127 CAD. Vancouver is the most expensive city, with an average rent cost of $2,831 CAD, higher than the national average. Toronto follows closely with an average of $2,618 CAD, then Halifax at $2,288 CAD.
Is owning a car better than using public transportation in Canada?
This depends on your needs and the affordability of available options. Public transport costs an average of $105 CAD monthly. On average, buying a car costs $65,219 CAD. It also attracts extra costs such as insurance, fuel, and maintenance services.