Canada🇨🇦
At a Glance
How Canada compares across key indices
Cost of Living
62 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
54/100
Healthcare
69/100
Quality of Life
174/200
Climate
54/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Canada
Cost of Living
62
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
29
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
69
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
63
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Sault Ste. Marie
Cheapest$1,891/mo
Quebec City
$1,911/mo
Moncton
$2,021/mo
Winnipeg
$2,044/mo
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
$2,103/mo
Lethbridge, AB
$2,141/mo
Regina
$2,150/mo
Saskatoon
$2,167/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in Canada — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
54/100
Crime Index
46/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
71/100
Crime perceived as increasing
Walking Safety
26 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 14,045 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in Canada
Canada has 35 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,891 in Sault Ste. Marie to $2,997 in Vancouver. Quebec City leads on safety, scoring 78/100. Ottawa ranks highest for quality of life at 198/200.
Sault Ste. Marie
$1,891/mo
Quebec City
78/100
Ottawa
198/200
Edmonton
77/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sault Ste. Marie | $1,891 | 40/100 | — | — | — |
| Quebec City | $1,911 | 78/100 | 186/200 | 69/100 | 36 |
| Moncton | $2,021 | 51/100 | — | — | — |
| Winnipeg | $2,044 | 40/100 | 154/200 | 69/100 | 35 |
| St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador | $2,103 | — | — | — | — |
| Lethbridge, AB | $2,141 | 37/100 | — | — | — |
| Regina | $2,150 | 47/100 | 153/200 | 65/100 | 41 |
| Saskatoon | $2,167 | 50/100 | — | — | 28 |
| Windsor | $2,232 | 54/100 | — | — | 53 |
| St.Catharines | $2,240 | 53/100 | — | — | — |
| Brantford | $2,257 | 39/100 | — | — | — |
| Edmonton | $2,276 | 53/100 | 181/200 | 77/100 | 29 |
| Hamilton | $2,286 | 44/100 | 154/200 | 74/100 | 60 |
| Montreal | $2,288 | 67/100 | 173/200 | 62/100 | 34 |
| London | $2,332 | 46/100 | 172/200 | 67/100 | 36 |
| Brampton | $2,407 | 44/100 | 158/200 | 69/100 | 37 |
| Kelowna | $2,447 | 38/100 | 174/200 | 75/100 | 26 |
| Nanaimo, BC | $2,469 | 47/100 | 188/200 | 61/100 | 28 |
| Calgary | $2,481 | 62/100 | 183/200 | 73/100 | 24 |
| Kitchener | $2,491 | 57/100 | — | — | — |
| Sudbury | $2,510 | 38/100 | — | — | — |
| Kamloops | $2,518 | 45/100 | — | — | — |
| Guelph | $2,534 | 66/100 | — | — | — |
| Ottawa | $2,567 | 69/100 | 198/200 | 68/100 | 24 |
| Surrey | $2,594 | 35/100 | — | — | — |
| Halifax | $2,601 | 60/100 | 179/200 | 65/100 | 24 |
| Vaughan | $2,616 | 57/100 | — | — | — |
| Oakville | $2,744 | 74/100 | — | — | — |
| Victoria | $2,749 | 60/100 | 186/200 | 66/100 | 23 |
| Burlington | $2,766 | 71/100 | — | — | — |
| Mississauga | $2,774 | 56/100 | 173/200 | 70/100 | 23 |
| Toronto | $2,804 | 56/100 | 171/200 | 74/100 | 37 |
| Vancouver | $2,997 | 57/100 | 186/200 | 72/100 | 26 |
| Kingston | — | 61/100 | — | — | — |
| Oshawa | — | 40/100 | — | — | — |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Canada
Healthcare Index
69/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 3,674 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Canada
Pollution Index
30/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 3,609 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in Canada
Average One-Way Commute
33minutes
Average
Traffic Index
138
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
184
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
5.3kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 2,348 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Canada, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Canada?
Canada has a cost of living index of 62 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,891 in Sault Ste. Marie and reach $2,997 in Vancouver.
What is the cheapest city in Canada for expats?
Sault Ste. Marie is the most affordable city in Canada with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,891 for a single person including rent. Quebec City is the next most affordable at $1,911/mo.
Is Canada safe for expats?
Canada has a safety index of 54/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Quebec City scores highest on safety at 78/100.
What is the best city in Canada for expats and digital nomads?
Ottawa ranks highest for quality of life in Canada, scoring 198/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $2,567/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Sault Ste. Marie offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,891/mo.
How good is healthcare in Canada?
Canada scores 69/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is Canada cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Canada's cost of living is roughly 38% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 71% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Canada?
Canada has a pollution index of 30/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Canada
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