Canada is a wonderful place, home to the Niagara Falls in Ontario, Old Montreal in Quebec, and other scenic areas and destinations you can’t miss! Canada’s proximity, beauty, safety, and other factors prompt Americans to move across the border. But is the move to Canada affordable? If you are seeking to move to Canada, find out about the cost of living in Canada versus the United States. Learn how housing, transportation, food, and healthcare costs compare between the two countries.
If your family or friends live in Canada, send them money with Western Union. You can make transfers from your phone on the Western Union App. Transfers are fast, convenient, and are sent directly to an account or picked up in person by the recipient.
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How do housing costs in Canada compare to the United States?
Housing costs in Canada are expensive, so they are comparable to the United States. If you are considering a move to Canada, you might be drawn to the bigger, populous cities—like Toronto or Vancouver. You wouldn’t be alone; most expatriates want to move there. However, rent and housing costs will be more expensive. For monthly rent in an area like Vancouver, you can expect to pay $1,600-$1,950 per month.1 In Toronto, you can expect to pay $1,480-$1,800. The price of rent in the United States is expensive, too. As of June 2022, the average median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a metropolitan area in the United States is $1,876. However, if you want to move to a smaller town in Canada, you can expect to pay around $1,000 per month.1
How do food costs in Canada compare to the United States?
Food costs in Canada tend to be slightly more than the United States. Food prices in Canada have increased over the last couple years, and the increases have been attributed to poor weather, labor shortages, and other causes.
In Canada, one pound of chicken breast costs about $4.47-$5.47 USD. A pound of potatoes costs approximately $1. A pound of rice costs $1.26-$1.54.1 In the United States, one pound of chicken breast costs approximately $4. One pound of potatoes cost about $2. One pound of rice costs approximately $1, on average.If you prefer to eat out, a dinner for two in Vancouver ranges from $80-98. In the United States, it can cost about $75.
How do transportation costs in Canada compare to the United States?
If you’re moving to Canada, plan to purchase or bring a car with you. Public transportation is only available in urban areas, like Vancouver and Toronto. So, a car is your best bet for traveling long distances. Gas prices in Canada are also higher, costing 20-25% more than the United States – a gallon of gas in Canada costs around $5.36-6.56 USD.1
For inner-city traveling, public transportation tends to be more expensive in Canada. A single bus ticket costs about $2.40 USD. In the United States, the average bus ticket in the United States costs $1.52
How do healthcare costs in Canada compare to the United States?
Canada’s healthcare system may be alluring to many Americans for one reason: it’s free. Canada has a universal healthcare program. Any citizen or permanent resident can apply for public health insurance. Health insurance is funded through taxes, so it isn’t entirely free. But the public health insurance will fund most health care services and emergency medical services. So, more times than not, you won’t have to worry about paying a hospital bill after a visit! In contrast, the average annual healthcare premium in the United States costs $7,911 for single-person coverage.
If you’re planning on sending money abroad to Canada, calculate the exchange rate to see how much money you are sending. You can go to our website or download the Western Union app. If you prefer to send money in person, visit an agent location.
