Minimum Cost of Living Across Canada

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Monthly cost of living for a family of three

$2.63k to $3.02k

$3.02k to $3.41k

$3.41k to $3.8k

$3.8k to $4.2k

$4.2k to $4.59k

Show Detailed Cost of Living in Major Cities - Family of 3

City	Total Cost of Living	Monthly Housing Costs 2 Bedroom Apartment (Rent + Utilities)	Transportation Costs (Car)	Food Costs (3 People)	Preschool Cost	Miscellaneous Expenses for Clothing, Furniture and Healthcare
Toronto	$5,305	$2,290	$753	$1,143	$637	$482
Vancouver	$5,693	$2,470	$764	$1,412	$530	$518
London	$4,634	$1,794	$753	$1,143	$523	$421
Montreal	$3,893	$1,313	$699	$1,336	$192	$354
Quebec City	$3,832	$1,257	$699	$1,336	$192	$348
Ottawa	$4,872	$2,015	$753	$1,143	$519	$443
Edmonton	$4,943	$1,841	$736	$1,381	$535	$449
Calgary	$5,594	$2,158	$736	$1,381	$810	$509
Winnipeg	$4,241	$1,703	$728	$1,207	$217	$386
Halifax	$4,911	$2,003	$698	$1,308	$456	$446
Moncton	$4,378	$1,577	$683	$1,329	$391	$398
St. John's	$4,370	$1,527	$710	$1,520	$217	$397
Saskatoon	$4,453	$1,697	$715	$1,420	$217	$405
Charlottetown	$4,448	$1,527	$680	$1,402	$434	$404

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The inflation rate in Canada remained significantly higher than the target inflation throughout the course of 2022 and even in the first half of 2023, raising the cost of living throughout the country. Understanding how much it will cost you to live in certain cities and provinces compared to the average and median income in that city or province is a key factor in determining where to live. It is important to understand how much it costs to live in a certain area compared to how much is earned in that area because the cost of living may affect the net worth of a person over time. If the cost of living is high, an individual will not be able to save as much money, which will lead to a decrease in net worth growth. Your cost of living can include the costs of key necessities such as:

• Housing (Including rent and utilities),
• Food & Groceries,
• Transportation,
• Childcare,
• Other miscellaneous necessities, such as clothes, furniture and healthcare.

Housing costs include rent, electricity costs and communication service costs, all of which vary depending on your province. Renting is also impacted by the type of home you rent. The types of homes we will cover in this guide are:

• Bachelor style apartments designed for 1 person
• 1 bedroom apartments designed for 1 person or a couple
• 2 bedroom apartments designed for a couple or a small family of 3
• 3 bedroom apartments designed for a small family of 3 or 4

For food & grocery costs, this includes the average amount of money needed to feed you and your family, including food from restaurants.

For transportation costs, since gas and insurance are the most variable between provinces, this part will include different gas prices and insurance premiums for each city, along with the cost of maintenance.

It also includes the cost of childcare for infants ages 0-2, toddlers ages 2-3, and preschoolers ages 3-4.

Finally, we add 10% of the total above costs for miscellaneous expenses such as clothes, furniture, and healthcare.

This guide is here to help you determine what these costs could look like for you within some of Canada's largest cities.

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Ontario is Canada's largest province, with nearly 16 million people, and is one of the most expensive provinces on a cost basis. This is partially explained by the province's high housing costs, especially around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which almost 50% of Ontarians call home.

The year 2022 saw mortgage rates increase rapidly, compounding the unaffordability in most major Ontario cities. Although rates declined in 2024, mortgage rates and home prices remain significantly high. In fact, to buy an average house in Toronto, the largest city in Ontario, a household without any other debt needs to have an income of over $152,000 (Sep 2024). An increase in monthly mortgage payments has resulted in sky-high rents across the province. There is a higher demand for rental properties, and landlords with mortgages are raising rents to cover the increased mortgage costs.

The monthly cost of food has inflated to approximately $413 per person. The monthly electricity bill for a 1000 kW consumption is about $165, while phone and internet costs are around $148 for a household of two people.

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Cost of Living in Toronto

Toronto, home to many Canadian head offices and well-paying office jobs, is one of the most expensive cities to live in in Canada.

Regarding housing, the average Toronto rent will make up your largest cost of living expense. Depending on the property size, the average Toronto rental rates are as follows:

• $1,414 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,691 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,961 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $2,191 for a 3-bedroom apartment

Another housing cost is utilities, which include electricity and communication services and are usually not included in the rent. The average monthly cost for Toronto Hydro is ~$178 for a 1000 kW consumption. Telecommunication services, including a phone plan for one person and internet, cost an average of $109 per month in Ontario. All of these would add up to the housing cost for one person in a bachelor-style apartment being ~ $1,701 per month.

Living in Toronto also entails a lengthy and expensive commute. With a good public transportation system, including subways, city buses, streetcars and buses from the suburbs, the quality of public transport is quite high compared to other Ontario cities. At a cost of $156 per month for a general pass, it can be much cheaper than car ownership. For those living in the outskirts of the GTA, however, owning a car may be a more practical way to commute. Car ownership in the GTA can be expensive, with average insurance premiums being some of the highest in Canada at ~$212 per month. The cost of gas as of August 2024 was approximately ~$1.6 per litre in Toronto. According to CAA’s driving costs calculator, the monthly cost of driving in Ontario, including car payments, fuel cost, maintenance cost, and insurance costs of an intermediate car in Ontario would be over $750 per month.

When it comes to food costs, according to Toronto's Nutritious Food Basket 2023, the average cost per month to buy food in the city for a family of four (two adults and two children) is $1,177. However, this doesn't tell the whole story, especially in a city that's always on the go. The cost of dining can average $10+ for lunch for one person to $25+ for one person’s takeout or an inexpensive dinner.

Finally, the last major cost is childcare. With the introduction of the Canada-Wide Early Learning & Child Care (CWELCC) program, there has been some relief when it comes to childcare costs. Despite that, Torontonians pay some of the highest childcare costs in Canada. According to a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the monthly median fees for childcare in Toronto in 2023 were:

• $903 for infant care
• $725 for toddler care
• $637 for preschool

Overall, If you are planning on raising a family in Toronto, the added costs of childcare, a larger home, and additional food and miscellaneous costs mean that it is important to have your finances in order.

Cost of Living in Ottawa

The cost of living in Ottawa is lower than in Toronto. The primary reason for this is the lower cost of housing the city offers. According to the CMHC Rental Market Survey for October 2023, the average monthly rents in Ottawa are:

• $1,173 per month for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,411 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,698 per month for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $2,119 per month for a 3-bedroom apartment

The average rental rates in Ottawa are about 15% lower than in Toronto. Including electricity and communication service costs, the true cost of living for one person in a bachelor-style apartment can be ~$1,448 per month.

Although Ottawa doesn’t have as vast a network of public transportation as Toronto, a monthly adult pass will set you back $128.75 per month. If you choose to drive, which is especially more convenient if you are commuting from the suburbs or the much cheaper Gatineau, Quebec, you can expect similar gas and insurance expenses as those in Toronto.

With Ottawa being a slightly lower overall cost of living city than Toronto, food prices can be expected to be close to the Ontario average. In a survey by Stats Canada, it was found that the average household of 2.6 people in Ontario spent ~ $818.5 per month on food in 2021, including dining out, which would mean the average person spent ~$315 per month. However, food prices have inflated significantly since then, and the average food expense for one person adjusted for inflation comes to ~$381 for 2024.

In terms of childcare expenses in 2023, Ottawa’s costs are below Toronto's, with the monthly median being:

• $521 for infant care
• $615 for toddler care
• $519 for preschool

This makes staying home as a parent less necessary, considering the costs are much lower than an average salary. With Ottawa's proximity to Gatineau, which has subsidized child care through the Quebec government, those on a tight budget could live in Gatineau and make the commute to Ottawa. This would be especially worthwhile for families with multiple young children, considering the monthly cost of childcare in Gatineau is $192 per child, meaning you may save thousands of dollars per year.

Childcare Costs in Ontario

Cost of Living in London

London is increasingly being seen as a viable alternative for those looking to save money and still work in the GTA, with many Londoners commuting to Toronto daily. In terms of rent, the average monthly rate is:

• $959 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,186 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,479 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,683 for a 3-bedroom apartment

With electricity and communication service costs fairly standard around province-wide rates, the average cost for one person in a bachelor apartment can set you back ~$1,232 per month.

In terms of transportation, an unlimited monthly bus pass will cost $112 per month for the average adult, much cheaper than Toronto and Ottawa's monthly fees. However, this is partially because of less diverse ride offerings and less connectivity throughout the city. This makes owning a car very necessary if you are commuting from the outskirts of London or the surrounding area. Again, the cost of owning a car will be fairly standard across Ontario, given similar insurance rates and gas prices.

For food, Ontario's average cost per person is about $381 per month. However, given the city's overall lower costs of living, it may lean toward the lower end of the spectrum.

Finally, the cost of childcare in London for 2023 is lower than in Toronto, with its monthly median being the following:

• $625 per month for infant care
• $605 per month for toddler care
• $523 per month for preschoo

Quebec continues to rank among the lowest-cost provinces in Canada. This is due to some of the lowest rents in Canada and subsidized child care, as well as Quebec’s electricity prices which are much lower than the national average, at 8.98 cents per kWh.

Electricity Cost Per KWH (Cents) As of 2023

Cost of Living in Montreal

Although the Montreal Metropolitan area is Canada's second-most populated area, the cost of living in Montreal is among the lowest for major cities in the country. This is partially because the cost of rent is very low compared to other big cities.

The average monthly housing costs are:

• $809 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $960 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,096 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,323 for a 3-bedroom apartment

In addition to low rents, the cost of power is only ~$80 for an average of 1000 kWh per month. Also, $102 per month for communication services makes for some of the lowest total housing costs in all of Canada, at ~$992 for 1 person in a bachelor-style apartment.

The cost of transportation in Quebec is one of the lowest in the country, with insurance rates of ~$70 per month. Even with the price of gas being slightly above the national average, Montreal and Quebec still rank among the cities with the lowest driving costs in Canada. If you're living in the city especially, public transportation is also very affordable, with the monthly cost of an adult Montreal transit pass being $100 per month.

In terms of food costs, the average monthly household expenditure for Quebec is ~$811 for a household of 2.2 people, or $445 per person. However, this average will differ depending on your diet and whether you eat out a lot.

Finally, Quebec’s subsidized child care means that the average monthly provincial rate for infant care, toddler care, and preschool is $192 per month. This means that young families can have both parents working, with the added income far outweighing the low cost. This makes Montreal and all of Quebec a very appealing place to raise a family on a cost basis.

Cost of Living in Quebec City

The trend of low Quebec rents continues in Quebec City, with the average monthly rent being:

• $715 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $911 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,040 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,193 for a 3-bedroom apartment

These low rents, along with low power and communication service costs, make living in Quebec's capital very affordable. The image below shows just how much cheaper Quebec City is for a bachelor-style apartment compared to other major Canadian cities.

Bachelor Style Apartment Rental Rates

Monthly food costs for Quebec City are also around the average for the province, at ~ $445 per person.

A general bus pass in Quebec City costs $97.25 per month. If you are to own a car, the cost is similar across Quebec and Montreal, given low insurance rates and slightly above-average gasoline prices.

Finally, just like in Montreal and the rest of the province of Quebec, subsidized child care means an average cost of $192 for all types of childcare.

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With Alberta having no provincial sales tax and relatively higher incomes than the rest of Canada, the province can be attractive to move to. Along with a fairly modest cost of living that is anchored by low rents province-wide, and cheap gas prices, Alberta can be a place to comfortably raise a family. However, for some necessities such as food and electricity, Albertans pay some of the highest costs in all of Canada.

Cost of Living in Calgary

The cost of living in Calgary is slightly affordable compared to other major cities in Canada, attributed to the low rents. Average monthly rents are as follows:

• $1,204 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,464 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,695 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,749 for a 3 bedroom apartment

The average rent in Calgary has seen a significant increase recently. According to data from CMHC, the average rent increased by over 17% from October 2022 to October 2023. Including the electricity cost of ~$295 (including taxes) for 1000 kWh and communication services at $126 per month, the cost of housing for one person in a bachelor-style apartment would be ~$1,623. This is very similar to the monthly cost of $1,701 in Toronto.

For transportation, many Albertans gravitate towards driving rather than public transportation. According to CAA’s driving cost calculator, the average cost of driving an intermediate car in Alberta can cost approximately $736 per month. If you do choose to take public transit, the cost is $115 for an adult monthly pass.

Calgary's monthly food costs are ~$461 per person. As a major city, Calgary's food costs are likely slightly higher than in smaller towns.

Finally, the monthly cost of childcare in Calgary is among the highest in Canada, with the median costs for 2023 being:

• $780 for infant care
• $838 for toddler care
• $810 for Preschool

Cost of Living in Edmonton

The cost of living in Edmonton is partially dictated by low housing costs, which are as follows:

• $948 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,134 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,398 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,540 for a 3-bedroom apartment

With electricity and communication services similar to Calgary's, the average cost for one person in a bachelor-style apartment would be ~$1,349 per month.

The cost to drive will also be very similar to Calgary's. If you instead take public transit, the monthly cost will be $73 for those under 25 and $100 for those 25 and above.

Estimates for food costs in Edmonton are the same as in the province of Alberta, with the monthly amount spent on food being ~$460 per person.

Finally, childcare in Edmonton is more affordable than in Calgary, with the following monthly median costs in 2023:

• $555 for Infant care
• $567 for toddler care
• $535 for preschool

Housing is especially a hot topic when discussing the cost of living in BC, given high real estate prices and a high cost to rent. This makes BC one of the most expensive provinces to live in Canada.

Cost of Living in Vancouver

With a very expensive housing market to buy into, renting is the only option for many Vancouver residents. This expensive cost of housing limits home affordability and makes the cost of living in Vancouver the highest in Canada. The cost to rent per month is as follows:

• $1,486 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,696 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $2,181 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $2,547 for a 3-bedroom apartment

Although rents are high in Vancouver and in BC, the cost of electricity and communication services is below the national average. The cost of electricity in Vancouver is ~$121 for 1000 kWH, and that for a phone plan for one person and internet is ~$116, making the high rents slightly more affordable. The average cost for one person in a bachelor-style apartment would be ~$1,736 per month.

For transportation, with parking being tough in the city core, public transportation is one option to get around. The cost for a monthly transit pass depends on what zone of Vancouver you plan on commuting in, ranging from $107.30 to $193.80 per month. If you were to own a car, the cost of driving in BC is, on average, $764 per month, with fuel costs being among the highest in Canada.

The monthly cost of food in BC is an average of ~$471 per person. This is likely much higher in the Vancouver area, with more people being on the go and opting to eat out or get takeaways, and with an overall higher cost of living in the city.

Finally, childcare costs are comparable with those in other major cities, such as Toronto and Calgary, with the median cost for 2023 being:

• $620 for infant care
• $620 for toddler care
• $530 for preschool

Being a fairly rural province aside from large cities such as Winnipeg, the cost of living in Manitoba is affordable.

Cost of Living in Winnipeg

The cost of living in Winnipeg is very low compared to other major cities. Housing costs per month are as follows:

• $816 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,102 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,427 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,750 for a 3-bedroom apartment

In addition to the affordability of rent, electricity prices are very low, at approximately $105 per month for an average of 1000 kWh. The cost of communication services is slightly below the national average, at $130 per month. Overall, the total monthly cost of housing for one person in a bachelor-style apartment is ~$1,051.

The average adult in Winnipeg pays $111.65 for a monthly pass for public transportation. Public transport is one option for getting around the city while driving a car is another. The average monthly cost of driving a car in Manitoba is approximately $728. The cost of gas in Manitoba is among the lowest in Canada.

For food, the average amount spent per person in Manitoba is one of the lowest in Canada, at $402 per month.

The monthly costs of childcare are some of the lowest in Canada, with the median cost being $217.

Saskatchewan ranks as a very affordable province to live in and raise a family.

This stems from some of the lowest housing costs in all of Canada, however, electricity costs and food are some of the highest in Canada.

Cost of Living in Saskatoon

The cost of renting in Saskatoon, the largest city in Saskatchewan, is below $1500 a month for the following:

• $829 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,090 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,360 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,458 for a 3-bedroom apartments

Saskatchewan’s electricity costs are approximately $179 per 1000 kWh. The cost of communication services, including two phone plans and one internet plan, is approximately $157 per month.

The monthly cost of food in Saskatchewan is ~$473 per person.

In terms of childcare, the median monthly cost in Saskatoon as of 2023 is approximately $217.

With some of the lowest income levels in all of Canada, the cost of living in Nova Scotia is modest. This low cost of living is fueled by lower housing costs versus more populated and higher earning provinces.

Cost of Living in Halifax

With monthly housing costs making up a large portion of the cost of living in Halifax, the costs are as follows:

• $1,112 for a bachelor style apartment
• $1,323 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,628 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,984 for a 3-bedroom apartment

In addition to rent, electricity costs an average of $196 for 1000 kWh. Communication services cost $137 per month for one person. This means that the monthly housing cost for one person living in a bachelor-style apartment in Halifax is ~$1,445. A monthly transit ticket costs $90. However, if you plan on owning a car and commuting around town, the average monthly cost of driving an intermediate car in Nova Scotia is $698.

Nova Scotia has some of the lowest food costs in Canada. The average monthly cost is $436 per person; however, if you plan on eating out somewhat frequently, this number will be much higher.

In terms of childcare, the projected monthly median costs are as follows:

• $529 for infant care
• $456 for toddler care
• $456 for preschool

Along with its fellow Atlantic Canada provinces, New Brunswick ranks among the more affordable places to live in Canada. This includes the cities of Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John.

Cost of Living in Moncton

The average cost of rent per month in Moncton is as follows:

• $835 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $998 for a 1-bedroom apartment/
• $1,232 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,297 for a 3 bedroom apartment

In addition to rent, electricity costs approximately $166 per 1000 kWh. The average cost for communication services for one person, including phone plan and internet, is roughly $135. This makes the monthly cost of housing for one person in a bachelor-style apartment ~$1,135.

The monthly cost of food in Moncton is ~$443 per person, but it will vary greatly depending on how often you eat out or where you shop.

For childcare in New Brunswick's biggest city of Moncton, the average costs are:

• $456 for infant care
• $391 for toddler care
• $391 for preschool

PEI is the smallest province in Canada, and has very low housing costs. However, the cost of electricity in the province is among the highest in the country. The cost of telecommunication is close to the national average.

Cost of Living in Charlottetown

The average monthly rent in Charlottetown is as follows:

• $664 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $910 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,166 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,231 for a 3-bedroom apartment

The cost of electricity is approximately $190 per 1000 kWh, which is among the highest in Canada. The cost of communication services, including phone and internet plan, for one person is $129 per month. The cost of housing for one person to live in a bachelor-style apartment would be ~$984 per month.

Monthly food expenditures in Charlottetown are among the highest in Canada, at ~$468 per person.

Monthly Childcare costs in Charlottetown were the following:

• $434 for infant care
• $434 for toddler care
• $434 for preschool

Although Newfoundland & Labrador has a weaker economy compared to other provinces, with the highest unemployment rate among all provinces in Canada, it's a very affordable province to live in.

Cost of Living in St. John's

The monthly cost of housing in St. John’s is as follows:

• $727 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $919 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,198 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,092 for a 3-bedroom apartment

These are some of the lowest rental rates in Canada. For electricity, the city’s rates are close to the national average at approximately $146 (including taxes) per 1000 kWh. For communication services, the average cost for a single phone plan and internet plan is $138 per month. The monthly cost for one person to live in a bachelor-style apartment would be ~$1,011.

The average monthly food cost in Newfoundland & Labrador is among the highest in Canada at approximately ~$507 per person.

For childcare, the province’s costs are lower than the national average evidenced by St. John’s monthly childcare costs being $217 as of 2023.