Cost of Living in Canada
The cost of living in Canada is considerably cheaper than most major international destinations. Canadian cities have slipped down the Mercer index. Its highest ranking city Toronto is down 31 places to 85th.
Despite its comparative low cost, the quality of life is among the top in the world. Uncommon expenses in Canada will be car insurance, petrol (although cheaper per litre than most cites is used in much more abundance), heating costs (especially during winter) and taxes which can accumulate to about 44 percent of salary.
Living in a city is much more expensive than rural communities. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive and substantially more than Ottawa. This is especially true for house prices, although these are usually cheaper than in most international cities. On average Canada may be 30 – 50 percent as expensive as life in the UK.
Here follows Canda's cost of living guide that applies to all its cities (adapted from www.tefl.com):
| Accommodation (monthly rent in good area) | |
| Furnished 2 bedroom house | CAD 2,200 |
| Unfurnished 2 bedroom house | CAD 1,800 |
| Furnished 2 bedroom apartment | CAD 1,490 |
| Unfurnished 2 bedroom apartment | CAD 1,250 |
| Room in shared apartment | CAD 600 |
| Food and Drink | |
| Milk | CAD 2.30 |
| Cheese | CAD 8 |
| White bread | CAD 3 |
| Spaghetti | CAD 2.90 |
| White sugar | CAD 3 |
| Cornflakes | CAD 5 |
| Large Coca Cola | CAD 1.20 |
| Still mineral water | CAD 2.60 |
| Potatoes | CAD 2 |
| Potatoes | CAD 2 |
| Bananas | CAD 2.20 |
| Fresh beef fillet | CAD 14.20 |
| Fresh lamb on bone | CAD 21 |
| Fresh whole chicken | CAD 9.20 |
| Fresh white fish | CAD 22 |
| Local can of beer | CAD 3 |
| Table wine | CAD 12 |
| Imported Cigarettes | CAD 17 |
| Household | |
| Laundry detergent | CAD 7.30 |
| Dishwashing liquid | CAD 4 |
| Soap | CAD 1.50 |
| Toothpaste | CAD 2.50 |
| Shampoo | CAD 4 |
| Deodorant | CAD 4 |
| Aspirin | CAD 7 |
| Utilities | |
| Telephone line (monthly rental) | CAD 43 |
| 3 minute telephone call - home phone | CAD 0.40 |
| Monthly energy costs apartment | CAD 110 |
| Eating Out, Entertainment & Health | |
| Three-course dinner in restaurant | CAD 55 |
| Fast-food meal | CAD 6.50 |
| Cup of coffee in bar/cafe | CAD 4 |
| Beer in bar | CAD 5.50 |
| Annual gym membership | CAD 300 |
| Private doctor consultation | CAD 90 |
| Public Transportation | |
| Taxi rate per km | CAD 3.50 |
| City centre bus fare | CAD 3 |
| Daily car hire | CAD 95 |
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