When it comes to the cost of living, it can be difficult to compare Canada and the United States. While there are some areas where Canada is cheaper than the US, there are also some areas where the US is more affordable. It is important to consider all of the hidden costs and savings of public goods and services when comparing the two countries. In general, it is cheaper to live in a metropolitan city in Canada than in the United States.
This depends on the city you're looking for and your income tax category. Canadians may pay less for larger life events, such as health insurance and rent, but they will pay more for utilities, gas, and consumer goods.
Health Insurance
- Health insurance is cheaper in Canada than in the US due to Canada's universal health insurance program.Rent
- Rent is generally cheaper in Canada than in the US.Utilities - Utilities are more expensive in Canada than in the US.
Gas
- Gas prices are higher in Canada than in the US.Consumer Goods
- Consumer goods and food tend to be considerably more expensive in Canada than in the United States, with price increases of 25 to 50% more than in the United States.Education
- Education is much cheaper in Canada than in the US.The United States tops the list of countries with the most expensive college costs, and Canada ranks fourth. There are very affordable universities in Canada, even for international students.
Vacation Time
- Canadians have paid vacation time and many employers offer benefits to new mothers or fathers ranging from 17 weeks to 52 weeks.Firearms
- Without a license issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, you cannot legally own or purchase a firearm in Canada.Harmonized Sales Tax - Canada has something called a harmonized sales tax that is considerably higher than any sales tax one would expect to see in the United States. Overall, when it comes to total cost of living, Canada is cheaper than the United States when it comes to certain goods and services such as health care, rent, utilities, and education. However, other items such as food and homeownership are cheaper in the United States. It is important to consider all of these factors when deciding which country is more affordable for you.
