Minimum Cost of Living Across Canada

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Ontario is Canada's largest province, with over 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.

Mortgage rates increased rapidly in the latter half of 2022, compounding the unaffordability in most major Ontario cities. Although rates have declined significantly since then, homes have remained unaffordable for many. In fact, the income needed to buy an average house in Toronto, the largest city in Ontario, a household needs to have an income of nearly $200,000 (Sep 2026). High monthly mortgage payments have also resulted in high rents across the province.

The monthly cost of food has inflated to approximately $411 per person. The monthly electricity bill for 1,000 kWh of consumption is about $174 in Ottawa and $188 in Toronto, while phone and internet costs are around $234 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 Canada's most expensive cities to live in.

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

• $1,491 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,761 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $2,045 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $2,294 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 ~$188 for 1,000 kWh of consumption. Telecommunication services, including a phone plan for one person and internet, cost an average of $160 per month in Ontario. All of these would add up to the housing cost for one person in a bachelor-style apartment to ~$1,839 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. Since September 2026, adult fares paid with PRESTO, debit, or credit are capped after 47 paid trips a month (about $155 at $3.30 per trip), which 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 in Ontario being the highest in Canada at ~$172 per month. CAA's average gas price in Ontario was about $1.82 per litre as of October 2026. Based on CAA’s driving costs calculator and Statistics Canada's average insurance premium, the monthly cost of driving a passenger car in Ontario, including depreciation, fuel, maintenance, and insurance, is about $551.

When it comes to food costs, according to Ontario's Nutritious Food Basket 2024, the average cost per month to buy food in the city for a family of four (two adults and two children) is $1,205. 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, Ontario parents still pay $22 a day, more than double the $10-a-day target. According to a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the monthly median fees for childcare in Toronto in 2026 were:

• $477 for infant care
• $477 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 2025, the average monthly rents in Ottawa are:

• $1,332 per month for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,593 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,916 per month for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $2,090 per month for a 3-bedroom apartment

The average rental rates in Ottawa are about 9% 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 ~$1,666 per month.

Although Ottawa doesn’t have as vast a network of public transportation as Toronto, a monthly adult pass will set you back $138.50 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 Statistics Canada, it was found that the average household of 2.6 people in Ontario spent ~$976 per month on food in 2023, including dining out, which would mean the average person spent ~$376 per month. However, food prices have inflated since then, and the average food expense for one person adjusted for inflation comes to ~$411 for 2026.

In terms of childcare expenses in 2026, Ottawa’s costs are the same as Toronto's under Ontario's $22-a-day set fee, with the monthly median being:

• $477 for infant care
• $477 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 $9.65 a day (about $209 per month) per child, meaning you may save thousands of dollars per year.

Cost of Living in London

London is seen as a viable alternative by some of 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:

• $1,066 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,371 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,645 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,872 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 ~$1,397 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 $411 per month. However, given the city's overall lower cost of living, it may lean toward the lower end of the spectrum.

Finally, the cost of childcare in London for 2026 is the same as in Toronto, with its monthly median being the following:

• $477 per month for infant care
• $477 per month for preschool

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 9.53 cents per kWh (including taxes, April 2025).

Electricity Cost Per KWH (Cents) As of 2025

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:

• $1,005 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,131 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,346 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,625 for a 3-bedroom apartment

In addition to low rents, the cost of power is only ~$98 for an average of 1,000 kWh per month. Also, $135 per month for communication services makes for some of the lowest total housing costs in all of Canada, at ~$1,238 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 ~$87 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 $110 per month.

In terms of food costs, the average monthly household expenditure for Quebec is ~$998 for a household of 2.2 people, or $454 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 provincial set fee for infant and preschool care is $9.65 a day (about $209 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:

• $952 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,094 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,272 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,495 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 ~$454 per person.

A general bus pass in Quebec City costs $99.50 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 a set fee of $9.65 a day (about $209 per month) for all types of childcare.

With Alberta having no provincial sales tax and relatively higher incomes than the rest of Canada, the province can be attractive to move to. Rents are lower than in Toronto and Vancouver, and gas prices are the lowest in the country. 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

Calgary’s rents are lower than Toronto’s and Vancouver’s, though higher electricity and food costs bring its overall cost of living close to Toronto’s. Average monthly rents are as follows:

• $1,438 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,581 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,908 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $2,118 for a 3-bedroom apartment

Including the electricity cost of ~$249 (including taxes) for 1,000 kWh and communication services at $154 per month, the cost of housing for one person in a bachelor-style apartment would be ~$1,841. This is about the same as the monthly cost of $1,839 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 a passenger car in Alberta, including insurance, is approximately $525 per month. If you do choose to take public transit, the cost is $126 for an adult monthly pass.

Calgary's monthly food costs are ~$494 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 set at $15 a day, with the median costs for 2026 being:

• $326 for infant care
• $326 for Preschool

Cost of Living in Edmonton

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

• $1,108 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,301 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,598 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,802 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 ~$1,501 per month.

The cost to drive will also be very similar to Calgary's. If you instead take public transit, fares on the Arc card are capped at $102 per month for adults and $66 for youth 18 and under.

Estimates for food costs in Edmonton are the same as in the province of Alberta, with the monthly amount spent on food being ~$494 per person.

Finally, childcare in Edmonton costs the same as in Calgary under Alberta's $15-a-day set fee, with the following monthly median costs in 2026:

• $326 for Infant care
• $326 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:

• $1,667 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,807 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $2,364 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $2,820 for a 3-bedroom apartment

Although rents are high in Vancouver and in BC, the cost of electricity is below the national average, and communication services cost about the national average. The cost of electricity in Vancouver is ~$140 for 1,000 kWh, and a phone plan for one person and internet is ~$154, making the high rents slightly more affordable. The average cost for one person in a bachelor-style apartment would be ~$1,961 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 $117.20 to $211.65 per month. If you were to own a car, the cost of driving in BC is, on average, $534 per month, with fuel costs being among the highest in Canada.

The monthly cost of food in BC is an average of ~$464 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 in Vancouver are among the highest in Canada because B.C. still uses market fees, with the median cost for 2026 being:

• $868 for infant care
• $694 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:

• $914 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,232 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,570 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,849 for a 3-bedroom apartment

In addition to the affordability of rent, electricity prices are very low, at approximately $126 per month for an average of 1,000 kWh. The cost of communication services is slightly above the national average, at $160 per month. Overall, the total monthly cost of housing for one person in a bachelor-style apartment is ~$1,200.

The average adult in Winnipeg pays $119.35 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 $474. The cost of gas in Manitoba is among the lowest in Canada.

For food, the average amount spent per person in Manitoba is $466 per month.

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

Saskatchewan ranks as an affordable province to live in and raise a family. Rents in Saskatoon are lower than in Canada’s largest cities, such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. However, electricity costs are above the average for major Canadian cities, and food costs are higher than in most provinces.

Cost of Living in Saskatoon

The cost of renting in Saskatoon, the largest city in Saskatchewan, is as follows:

• $981 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,281 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,559 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,792 for a 3-bedroom apartment

Saskatchewan’s electricity costs are approximately $214 per 1,000 kWh. The cost of communication services, including two phone plans and one internet plan, is approximately $259 per month.

The monthly cost of food in Saskatchewan is ~$471 per person.

In terms of childcare, the median monthly cost in Saskatoon as of 2026 is approximately $217.

Nova Scotia has some of the lowest income levels in Canada. Housing costs have risen quickly, and average rents in Halifax are now close to those in Ottawa and Calgary.

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:

• $1,362 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,539 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,828 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $2,254 for a 3-bedroom apartment

In addition to rent, electricity costs an average of $222 for 1,000 kWh. Communication services cost $178 per month for one person. This means that the monthly housing cost for one person living in a bachelor-style apartment in Halifax is ~$1,762.

A monthly transit ticket costs $90. However, if you plan on owning a car and commuting around town, the average monthly cost of driving a passenger car in Nova Scotia, including insurance, is $499.

Nova Scotia has some of the lowest food costs in Canada. The average monthly cost is $442 per person; however, if you plan on eating out somewhat frequently, this number will be much higher.

In terms of childcare, the monthly median costs in 2026 are as follows:

• $499 for infant care
• $477 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:

• $1,028 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,164 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,452 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,607 for a 3-bedroom apartment

In addition to rent, electricity costs approximately $218 per 1,000 kWh. The average cost for communication services for one person, including phone plan and internet, is roughly $178. This makes the monthly cost of housing for one person in a bachelor-style apartment ~$1,424.

The monthly cost of food in Moncton is ~$445 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 median costs in 2026 are:

• $412 for infant care
• $347 for preschool

PEI is the smallest province in Canada and has relatively low housing costs. However, the cost of electricity in the province is among the highest in the country, and the cost of telecommunications is above the national average. Food costs are also among the highest in Canada.

Cost of Living in Charlottetown

The average monthly rent in Charlottetown is as follows:

• $984 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,066 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,354 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,548 for a 3-bedroom apartment

The cost of electricity is approximately $226 per 1,000 kWh, which is among the highest in Canada. The cost of communication services, including phone and internet plans, for one person is $178 per month. The cost of housing for one person to live in a bachelor-style apartment would be ~$1,388 per month.

Monthly food expenditures in Charlottetown are among the highest in Canada, at ~$480 per person.

Monthly Childcare costs in Charlottetown in 2026 were the following:

• $217 for infant care
• $217 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:

• $945 for a bachelor-style apartment
• $1,064 for a 1-bedroom apartment
• $1,348 for a 2-bedroom apartment
• $1,327 for a 3-bedroom apartment

These are some of the lowest rental rates in Canada. For electricity, the city’s rates are approximately $196 (including taxes) per 1,000 kWh. For communication services, the average cost for a single phone plan and internet plan is $178 per month. The monthly cost for one person to live in a bachelor-style apartment would be ~$1,319.

The average monthly food cost in Newfoundland & Labrador is among the highest in Canada at approximately ~$528 per person.

For childcare, the province’s costs are lower than the national average, as evidenced by St. John’s monthly childcare costs being $217 as of 2026.