North America · Toronto
Cost of living in Canada
Canada is 15% cheaper than the US, ranking #26 of 203 countries we cover for cost of living. The local currency is CAD (CA$).
World Bank data through 2024 · last reviewed 2026-06.
What drives the cost here
Price levels by category, where the world average = 100. Above 100 is pricier than the global norm; below it is cheaper.
In Canada, communication is the priciest category relative to the world (303), while transport is the most affordable (128).
Category price levels: World Bank ICP 2021 (world average = 100) · source
What your money is worth here
A $100,000 US lifestyle would cost roughly $85,500 in Canada.
Quality of life
94/100 · #37 of 198Beyond cost — health, safety, and connectivity. The score is a transparent, equal-weight composite of the verified metrics below (see methodology).
About Canada
A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.
Background from the CIA World Factbook (public domain), archived 2026-06-03.
Frequently asked
Is Canada expensive to live in?
Canada is 15% cheaper than the US, ranking #26 of the 203 countries we track. Its most expensive category relative to the world is communication; transport costs the least.
How much money do you need to live in Canada?
A lifestyle that costs $100,000 in the United States would cost roughly $85,500 in Canada, going by overall price levels. The salary translator turns your own figure into a local equivalent.
Is Canada cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Its overall price level is 85.4, against 100 for the United States.
What is the quality of life in Canada?
Canada scores 94 out of 100 on our quality-of-life index (#37 of 198), a composite of life expectancy, safety, health, and connectivity, with life expectancy around 82 years.
Every number, sourced.
We cite the exact source and year for each figure. Derived values are computed at build time, never hand-entered.
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