Canada Cost of Living Calculator by City
Compare the cost of living across 10 Canadian cities — Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton and more. Enter your salary to see real monthly rent, grocery, transit, and childcare costs from current 2026 data, and plan your move to Canada with confidence.
About This Tool
This calculator uses real 2026 data from sources including Rentals.ca, Statistics Canada, and official transit authorities to estimate your monthly living expenses.
Costs vary based on lifestyle, location within the city, and personal choices.
Most Affordable Cities
*1-bedroom rent, January 2026
Budget Tips
- Quebec: Cheapest childcare at $8.70/day
- Alberta: No provincial sales tax (save 8%)
- Prairies: Lower rent but higher utilities
- Transit: Toronto fare capped at 47 trips/month
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Book ConsultationCost of Living in Canada by City (2026)
The table below compares a typical monthly budget for a single person renting a one-bedroom apartment in eight major Canadian cities, using January 2026 figures. The total adds rent, utilities, groceries, a monthly transit pass, internet, and moderate entertainment. Vancouver and Toronto are the most expensive; Winnipeg, Montreal, and Edmonton are the most affordable.
| City | 1-BR rent | Groceries | Transit | Utilities | Monthly total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, BC | $2,900 | $580 | $115 | $130 | $4,135 |
| Toronto, ON | $2,550 | $550 | $156 | $145 | $3,790 |
| Ottawa, ON | $2,100 | $530 | $125 | $160 | $3,270 |
| Halifax, NS | $1,850 | $520 | $86 | $170 | $2,955 |
| Calgary, AB | $1,690 | $520 | $114 | $220 | $2,885 |
| Edmonton, AB | $1,400 | $510 | $106 | $230 | $2,575 |
| Montreal, QC | $1,500 | $480 | $99 | $110 | $2,500 |
| Winnipeg, MB | $1,250 | $470 | $108 | $200 | $2,315 |
Figures in Canadian dollars per month for one person (one-bedroom, moderate lifestyle). Use the calculator above to adjust for family size, housing type, and a car. Rent from Rentals.ca, groceries from the Canada Food Price Report 2026, transit from each city transit authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Canada in 2026?+
A single person renting a one-bedroom apartment spends roughly CAD $2,300 to $4,100 a month, covering rent, utilities, groceries, transit, internet, and some entertainment. Winnipeg and Montreal sit at the low end near $2,300 to $2,500, while Vancouver and Toronto run highest at about $3,800 to $4,100. A family of four typically needs $5,000 to $7,500 a month once larger housing and childcare are added.
Which Canadian city has the lowest cost of living?+
Among major cities, Winnipeg is the most affordable, with one-bedroom rent around $1,250 and a typical single-person budget near $2,300 a month. Montreal and Edmonton follow, helped by cheap hydro in Quebec and $10-a-day childcare in Alberta and Manitoba.
How much money do you need to live in Canada per month?+
Budget about $2,300 to $2,900 a month as a single person in an affordable city like Winnipeg, Edmonton, or Montreal, and $3,800 to $4,100 in Vancouver or Toronto. Add roughly $900 to $1,500 for groceries and childcare if you support a family. Newcomers should also set aside first-and-last-month rent plus a deposit before arrival.
Is Toronto or Vancouver more expensive?+
Vancouver is more expensive overall in 2026. Its one-bedroom rent averages about $2,900 versus Toronto at $2,550, and a single-person monthly budget runs near $4,100 in Vancouver compared with about $3,790 in Toronto. Toronto has higher transit and childcare costs, but Vancouver rent makes it the pricier city.
Does the cost of living in Canada include taxes?+
These estimates cover everyday expenses, not income tax. Alberta has no provincial sales tax, which lowers day-to-day costs there, while most provinces add 5 to 15 percent sales tax on purchases. Healthcare is publicly funded, so there is no monthly premium in the provinces shown.
Data Sources: Rent prices from Rentals.ca National Rent Report (January 2026). Grocery costs from Canada Food Price Report 2026. Transit fares from TTC, TransLink, STM, and Calgary Transit. Childcare costs reflect provincial $10/day childcare program progress as of January 2026.