Cost of Living & Quality of Life in Canada (2026)
What everyday life costs in Canada — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Americas.
- Quality of Life Index
- 150.2
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 54.8
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 69.1
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $875/mo
- 2024
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $16.57
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $3,005
- 2023
Quality of life trends in Canada
Typical living costs in Canada
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $875/mo | 2024 | -40.9% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $1,265/mo | 2023 | +8.4% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $2,387/mo | 2023 | +4.8% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $158/mo | 2023 | +9.3% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $62.41/mo | 2023 | -4.6% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $47.76/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $16.57 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $68.14 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $3.73 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $81.03 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $1.15 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $41.99/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $744/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $3,005 | 2023 | -9.8% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 150.2 | 2024 | -7.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 54.8 | 2024 | -1.6% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 69.1 | 2024 | -1.8% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 30.2 | 2024 | +3.8% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 51.4 | 2024 | -3.4% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 150.2 | 54.8 | 69.1 | 30.2 | 51.4 |
| 2023 | 162.3 | 55.7 | 70.4 | 29.1 | 53.2 |
| 2022 | 160.4 | 57.1 | 71.3 | 28.8 | 56 |
| 2021 | 160 | 58.8 | 71.8 | 28.1 | 56.7 |
| 2020 | 163.5 | 60.3 | 71.6 | 27.8 | 50.6 |
| 2019 | 170.3 | 60.5 | 71 | 27.8 | 52.5 |
| 2018 | 173.9 | 60.7 | 70.6 | 27.7 | 52.8 |
| 2017 | 167.2 | 60.8 | 69.2 | 26.5 | 44.3 |
Canada compared with Americas
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 150.2 | 54.8 | 69.1 | $16.57 | $875/mo |
| United States | 174 | 50.7 | 67.6 | $18.00 | $1,846/mo |
| Argentina | 112.1 | 35.8 | 68.1 | $9.00 | $384/mo |
| Bolivia | — | — | — | $2.90 | $352/mo |
| Brazil | 109.1 | 34.4 | 58.9 | $5.29 | $322/mo |
| Chile | 99.3 | 40.7 | 63.4 | $8.48 | $525/mo |
| Colombia | 102.9 | 38.8 | 68.3 | $4.66 | $315/mo |
| Costa Rica | 122.1 | 46.1 | 62.7 | $9.61 | $689/mo |
| Dominican Republic | — | — | — | $7.92 | $800/mo |
| Ecuador | 121.2 | 37.9 | 67.6 | $3.50 | $346/mo |
Related
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.