Finance

Cost of living in Canada: Food, transport, and more

If you are looking to find out how much it costs to live in this country, here we tell you the most relevant information about the cost of living in Canada.

Canada, a country known for peace, stable quality of life, social security and high educational standards, while embracing cultural diversity, is an ideal destination for people seeking opportunities for development and social innovation. If you’re considering this country as your new home, it’s essential to know the cost of living in Canada.

Costs such as accommodation, food, transport, leisure and daily expenses will be reviewed here. This information in CAD and EUR will help you plan your finances for living in Canada.

In this article

Average housing costs in Canada

Accommodation in Canada is one of the most significant expenses. That’s no surprise, as it represents basic security. Here’s an overview of average prices for different housing options.

Furnished apartments

One-bedroom apartment in city centre: monthly rent averages about $1,443 CA (€930).
One-bedroom apartment outside centre: monthly rent averages around $1,200 CA (€775).

Canadian coliving

Coliving is increasingly popular among digital nomads and international students, offering shared spaces with included services. Costs vary by city and amenities, but a coliving room averages $800–1,100 CA monthly (€515–710).

Airbnb in Canada

This is an affordable option if you’re looking for short-term stays. Airbnb offers varied alternatives. For example, the average nightly rate for a full property such as apartments or houses ranges between $100–200 CA (€65–130). To compare, we recommend checking at least three listings and comparing amenities and benefits.

Food costs in Canada

Food is an essential aspect you must evaluate carefully. Here are average prices for basic supermarket products and meals in local restaurants.

Supermarket prices in Canada

Approximate prices for different food products in Canada:

Milk (1 litre): $2.90 CA (€2.00)
Cheddar cheese (1 kg): $16 CA (€11)
Branded beer (500 ml): $4.40 CA (€3.00)
Sausages or cold meats (1 kg): $28 CA (€19)
Mid-range wine (bottle): $18 CA (€12)

Restaurants, cost of living in Canada

These are the average prices you’ll find in Canadian restaurants for daily meals:

Breakfast: $10–15 CA (€7–10)
Lunch: $15–25 CA (€10–17)
Dinner: $20–35 CA (€14–24)

Transport costs in Canada

Transport is another key factor when considering the cost of living in Canada. Here are the approximate costs for different transport options.

Public transport, cost of living in Canada

Single public transport ticket: About $3.25 CA (€2.25)
Monthly public transport pass: Around $100 CA (€70)

Taxis and private transport services

Taxi base fare: About $4 CA (€2.75), plus $1.75 CA (€1.20) per kilometre
Uber (average 10 km ride): $15–25 CA (€10–17), depending on city and demand

Fuel and vehicle costs.

Petrol (1 litre): About $1.50 CA (€1.00)
Electricity price (per kWh) for Evs:: About $0.13 CA (€0.09)
Average cost of a new car (e.g. Toyota Corolla): About $25,000 CA (€17,500)

Bike rentals

Many Canadian cities offer bicycle rental services. Approximate cost ranges are presented below:

Annual subscription: $90–100 CA (€63–70)
Daily rental: About $5 CA (€3.50)

Vehicle insurance in Canada

Vehicle insurance is mandatory in Canada. The average yearly cost is about $1,500 CA (€1,050), though it varies by province, car type and driving history.

Healthcare costs in Canada

The Canadian healthcare system is recognised for its quality and accessibility for permanent residents and citizens. However, access and costs for foreigners can differ. Below are key aspects of healthcare in Canada for non-residents. Here we outline some key aspects related to healthcare services in Canada for non-residents. Cost of living in Canada steps

Your budget for living in Canada will depend on your needs and lifestyle. However, we recommend following this price guide to keep optimised financial control. @unsplash.

Access to public healthcare for foreigners

Permanent residents and some temporary immigrants with work or study permits can access Canada’s public healthcare system, called Medicare. This system covers basic medical services, such as consultations, hospitalisation and diagnostic tests. These are provided free or at very low cost. Usually, tourists and temporary visitors aren’t eligible for Medicare and must buy private health insurance to cover any medical emergencies during their stay.

Private health insurance

Costs vary depending on coverage, length of stay and age. On average, a travel medical policy ranges between $100 and $200 CA (€70–140) per month. It’s advisable to compare different options and ensure the policy covers essential services, such as medical consultations, hospitalisation and medicines.

Healthcare service costs

Healthcare costs in Canada

General medical consultation: $100–200 CA (€70–140) per visit
Routine dental check: About $150 CA (€105)
Surgery, for example appendicitis: costs may vary greatly, but without coverage, an appendectomy can cost $10,000–20,000 CA (€7,000–14,000).

Over-the-counter medicines

Prices for over-the-counter medicines in Canada vary by brand and pharmacy. Here are some examples:

Painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen, pack of 20): $5–10 CA (€3.50–7)
Antihistamines (pack of 20): About $15 CA (€10.50)
Cough syrup (250 ml bottle): About $12 CA (€8.50)

Internet and call plan prices in Canada

We can’t leave connectivity out, as it’s essential today. Canada offers many options for internet and smartphone services. Here we detail the costs and features of these services.

Home internet

Provider	Download speed	Monthly price (CAD)	Monthly price (EUR)
$85 CA (€60)	150 Mbps	85	60
$90 CA (€63)	150 Mbps	90	63
$95 CA (€66)	150 Mbps	95	66
Shaw Communications	150 Mbps	80	56

Home internet providers in Canada

Mobile phone plans, cost of living in Canada

Canadian mobile phone plans usually include unlimited calls and texts, with different data options. Here are a few standout examples you should know for 2025:

Plan with 10 GB data: About $75 CA (€52) per month
Plan with 20 GB data: Around $90 CA (€63) per month
Unlimited data plan: Between $100–120 CA (€70–84) per month.

Holafly mobile internet plans

If you’re looking for a practical solution at a great price, Holafly offers monthly subscription plans with 25 GB and unlimited data. You can share it with other devices and use it in over 170 countries. You can also install Holafly’s Canada eSIM, which provides unlimited data for as many days as you need without roaming charges or SIM swaps.

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Leisure activity costs in Canada in 2025

Canada offers recreational activities to make your leisure time enjoyable. Here are average costs for cultural activities and entrance fees.

Common leisure activities

Cinema: The price of a single cinema ticket is $15.8 CA (€10.6).
Theatre: Ticket prices vary by venue, but generally range from $50–150 CA (€34–102).
Zoo: Entry costs around $20–30 CA (€14–20) per adult.
Streaming platforms: Services like Netflix recently raised prices. For example, the basic ad-supported plan increased from $10.8 CA monthly (€7.2). Other services, such as Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, cost similarly, with monthly subscriptions ranging $10–15 CA (€7–10).
TV subscriptions: Cable or satellite packages cost between $25–100 CA (€17–68) monthly, depending on channel numbers and extras.

Entry to major tourist sites in Canada

Canada has numerous world-famous tourist attractions for all travellers. Some of them are:

Niagara Falls: Access is free, but activities like the “Hornblower” boat tour cost about 30 CAD (€20) per adult.
CN Tower in Toronto: General adult entry costs about $43 CA (€29).
National Parks: Parks Canada charges admission fees for most parks and historic sites. Daily adult passes usually cost $10.50 CA (€7).
Royal Ontario Museum: General adult entry costs about $23 CA (€15).
National Gallery of Canada: adult entry costs about $20 CA (€14).