Cost of Living in Canada

Housing Costs in Canada

Based on the city you live in, your cost of living can change substantially as rent rates differ in different parts of the country.

What You’ll Actually Pay:

• 1 Bedroom Apartment in Toronto: CAD 2013 (₹1,40,303.32 approx.)
• 1 Bedroom Apartment in Vancouver: CAD 2399 (₹1,67,206.99 approx.)
• 1 Bedroom Apartment in Ottawa: CAD 1762 (₹1,22,808.97 approx.)
• 1 Bedroom Apartment in Montreal: CAD 1507 (₹1,05,035.82 approx.)
• 1 Bedroom Apartment in Calgary: CAD 1446 (₹1,00,784.20 approx.)

The Extras Nobody Warns You About:

• Landlords often collect one month’s rent in advance before the tenant moves in.
• You may need to arrange and pay separately for utilities such as internet and electricity.
• Depending on the location and property type, you may need to pay an additional parking fee.
• In some areas, tenants may also need to pay snow removal charges during the winter season.

Utility Bills

You may cut down your expenses on the following utility bills if living with a roommate:

• Electricity: CAD 120 to CAD 200 (₹ 8,376.16 - ₹13,960.27 approx.) per month, rising to CAD 300 to 350 (₹20,940.41 - ₹24,430.48 approx.) in winter.
• Internet: CAD 70 to CAD 100 (₹4,886.10 - ₹6,980.14 approx.) per month.
• Water: CAD 50 to CAD 70 (₹3,490.07 - ₹4,886.10 approx.) per month.
• Natural Gas: CAD 50 (₹3,490.07 approx.) per month.

Transportation Expenses

Canada has a vast public transport system, from subways, trains, to buses.

Car Ownership Reality:

• New Car: On average, CAD 63,264 (₹44,15,913.87 approx.)
• Used Car: On average, CAD 36,911 (₹25,76,438.37 approx.)
• Fuel: CAD 1.251 (₹87.32 approx.).
• Insurance: CAD 800 to CAD 3500 (₹55,841.10 - ₹2,44,304.80 approx.).
• Registration: CAD 60 to CAD 200 (₹4,188.08 - ₹13,960.27 approx.) yearly.
• Parking: CAD 200 to CAD 300 (₹13,960.27 - ₹20,940.41 approx.) monthly in Vancouver.

Public Transport Option:

• Public Transport: CAD 3.50 (₹244.30 approx.)
• Public Transport Pass: CAD 102 (₹7,119.74 approx.)
• Taxi: CAD 2.10 (₹146.58 approx.) per kilometre.
• Taxi 1 hour waiting: CAD 38 (₹ 2,652.45 approx.)

Food and Groceries to Survive in Canada

One of the highest expenses for any individual is on food, whether it is through home cooking or dining out.

Weekly Grocery Run:

• Single Person: CAD 350 to CAD 500 (₹24,430.48 - ₹34,900.69 approx.)
• Two people: CAD 600 to CAD 900 (₹41,880.82 - ₹62,821.23 approx.)
• Family of Four: CAD 1,000 to CAD 1,500 (₹69,801.37 - ₹1,04,702.06 approx.)

Restaurant Charges:

• Dining out: CAD 15 (₹1,047.02 approx.)
• Simple meal: CAD 25 (₹1,745.03 approx.)
• Two people: CAD 100 (₹6,980.14 approx.)

What Things Cost:

• Milk: CAD 5.51 (₹384.61 approx.) per 2 litres.
• White Bread: CAD 3.63 (₹253.38 approx.) per 675 grams.
• White Rice: CAD 9.26 (₹646.36 approx.) per 2 kilos.
• Chicken Breast: CAD 14.96 (₹1044.23 approx.) per kilogram.
• Eggs: CAD 4.77 (₹332.95 approx.) per dozen

Education Costs

The international education costs are comparatively higher than in India.

Annual Cost:

• Undergraduate: CAD 13,000 to CAD 20,000 (₹9,08,050 - ₹13,96,386.20 approx.)
• Master: CAD 17,000 to CAD 25,000 (₹11,86,928.27 - ₹17,45,482.75 approx.)
• Doctoral: CAD 7,000 to CAD 15,000 (₹4,88,735.17 - ₹10,47,289.65 approx.)

Other Educational Expenses:

• Study: CAD 150 (₹10,472.90 approx.).
• Healthcare: CAD 600 to CAD 900 (₹41,891.59 - ₹62,837.38 approx.) per year.
• Study Material: CAD 250 to CAD 350 (₹17,454.83 - ₹24,436.76 approx.) per year.

Healthcare Expenses

Health insurance helps individuals to make full use of medical provisions without bearing extra costs.

Insurance Costs:

• Students Health Insurance: CAD 600 to CAD 900 (₹41,891.59 - ₹62,837.38 approx.) per year.
• Private Health Insurance: CAD 150 to CAD 220(₹10,469.79 - ₹15,355.69 approx.) per month.

Medical Costs Without Insurance:

• Drop in: CAD 100 to CAD 150 (₹6,979.86 - ₹10,469.79 approx.).
• Emergency Visit: CAD 1000 (₹69,798.61 approx.) plus.
• Hospital Stays: Around CAD 2500 (₹1,74,496.53 approx.) per day
• Intensive Care Unit: CAD 9000 (₹6,28,187.49 approx.) per day
• Ambulance: Around CAD 240 (₹16,751.67 approx.) per ride.

Entertainment and Leisure

The cost of entertainment depends on your lifestyle and your budget.

Activities:

• Movie Pass: CAD 13 to CAD 15.78 (₹907.23 - ₹1,101.23 approx.).
• National Parks: Many parks have free entry.
• Beach Visits: Mostly free
• Columbia Icefield Ice Explorer: CAD 53 (₹3,698.69 approx.)
• Banff Gondola: CAD 52 (₹3,628.91 approx.)
• Drinks at Bar: CAD 8 to CAD 12 (₹558.29 - ₹837.44 approx.)

Clothing and Personal Care

The cost of clothing and personal needs varies as per the brands and consumer needs.

Clothes:

• Jeans: CAD 76.53 (₹5,340.77 approx.)
• Summer Dress: CAD 56.88 (₹3,969.46 approx.)
• Running Shoe: CAD 122.38 (₹8,540.49 approx.)
• Leather Dress Shoe: CAD 146.66 (₹10,234.91 approx.)

Personal Care:

• Salon: CAD 15 to 20 (₹1,046.80 - ₹1,395.73 approx.).
• Basic Haircut: CAD 25 to 50 (₹1,744.67 - ₹3,489.33 approx.).
• Premium Salon: CAD 60 to 100 plus (₹4,187.20 - ₹6,978.66 approx.).

Childcare Services

A CAD 10-a-day childcare system is followed in Canada to help reduce childcare costs. Many provinces are working towards achieving this plan.

Nursery Fee:

• Daycare: CAD 800 to CAD 2,000 (₹55,830.68 - ₹1,39,576.70 approx.) per month.
• Licensed Home Daycare: CAD 600 to CAD 1,200 (₹41,873.01 - ₹83,746.02 approx.) per month.

Domestic Help:

• Nanny cost: CAD 2,500 to CAD 4,000 (₹1,74,470.88 - ₹2,79,153.40 approx.) per month.
• Househelp: CAD 1,500 to CAD 2,500 (₹1,04,682.53 - ₹1,74,470.88 approx.) per month.

Other Regular Expenses

Apart from the major cost, some other expenses are mentioned below.

Monthly Bits and Pieces:

• Cleaning: CAD 20 to CAD 45 (₹1,395.84 - ₹3,140.63 approx.) per hour.
• Pet Care: CAD 85 to CAD 260 (₹5,932.31 - ₹18,145.89 approx.).
• Visa Fee: Varies with the type.

One-Time Costs:

• Furniture: CAD 2,050 to CAD 13,750 (₹14,3073.35 - ₹9,59,638.35 approx.) plus
• Country shifts: Above CAD 7000 (₹4,88,543.16 approx.)

Comparison with Other Cities

There are some distinct advantages and disadvantages of living in Canada when compared to other places.

Advantages:

• A great work-life balance for many industries.
• Access to public transport in many cities.
• Many industries offer their employees various perks.
• There is subsidisation for childcare (reduced daycare fee through government support).

Higher Costs Compared to Other Cities:

• Rent in Vancouver and Toronto remains highly expensive.
• Utility bills, mainly electricity, can sharply rise in winter because of heating.
• Private healthcare can become a huge expense for many.
• Educational fees are expensive.

Money-Saving Strategies for Living in Canada

You can take these small savings steps while living in Canada.

Practical Cost-Reduction Tips:

• It is wise to opt for a shared room to reduce the cost per month.
• Living in a small city can help you stay within your budget.
• It's convenient to shop at local markets.
• Using public transport is cost-effective.
• Try negotiating your rental rates before settling in.
• Buy second-hand furniture and clothes whenever possible.
• Instead of eating out regularly, you can save by cooking at home.
• Buying winter clothes during the clearance period or sales can save you some money.
• Make a budget according to your income and follow it.

Salary Expectations in Canada

If you are planning to work in Canada, you can expect this salary range.

Average Yearly Salaries by Qualification:

• Bachelor’s Degree: CAD 68,000 (₹47,41,025.96 approx.)
• Master’s Degree: CAD 84,000 (₹58,56,561.48 approx.)
• Doctorate: CAD 100,000 plus (₹69,72,097 approx.)

Typical Benefits:

• Paid annual leaves
• Maternity leaves
• Housing allowance or accommodation
• Performance bonuses
• Overtime payment

Conclusion

Looking at the average cost of living in Canada, ₹99,741 for a single person and ₹3,63,625 for a family of four per month, it is an expensive country to settle in. But the high cost of living is balanced out by its appropriate salary packages, resulting in a good quality of life.