Cost of Living in Canada vs UK

Canada is a sought-after destination for many people looking to start a new life.

Its vast and diverse natural beauty, coupled with its high-quality healthcare and education systems, make it a highly desirable place to call home.

One of the great things about Canada is its immigration process, which is much simpler than many other countries worldwide.

There are over 100 pathways to enter Canada, including skilled worker programs, student visas, family member entry, business visas, and many others.

This ensures that the process is open to as many people as possible.

However, regardless of why someone may choose to leave the UK and move to Canada, it is crucial to understand the cost of living in the new country.

According to Numbeo, the latest data reveals that Canada is the 25th most expensive country in the world to live in, with the UK following at 33rd.

Despite this, the two countries are surprisingly similar in many ways.

Therefore, if you are considering making the move to Canada, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what you can expect when it comes to the cost of living.

This information about the cost of living in Canada vs the UK will give you a better idea of what you need to budget for.

Salaries

Canadian Dollars. Image credit: Depositphotos

Around 50% of immigrants moving to Canada make the decision purely for work opportunities.

Earnings play a significant role in determining one’s quality of life.

For those considering the move, the earning potential compared to the UK is a crucial factor.

Canada values education and skill sets when considering who is permitted to enter the country.

Your qualifications and education will be crucial in influencing your pay.

Though average salaries can vary, the average annual salary in Canada is around $68,250 (£39997.82) a year.

In comparison, the UK average is £35,464 ($60513.75).

Salaries in Canada range from £19,137 as minimum wage up to £338,000, with an even higher potential maximum.

Maximizing your earning potential in Canada but it is always advisable to try to land your dream job if you can!

House Prices in Canada

Detached House in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. Image credit: Unsplash

Moving to another country requires securing a place to live as a top priority.

Canada is the second largest country in the world, after Russia, meaning moving here can be very different to the UK.

One major difference in the housing market is that space is abundant in Canada.

Compare this to the UK where it’s a premium and you will really notice the difference.

When moving to Canada, you can expect homes (excluding city centres) with large plots of land.

To save on costs, consider moving to the suburbs and smaller towns instead of major cities.

Ottawa is Canada’s capital city.

Moving here offers buyers a square meter of a home costing C$8,464.60  (£4,948.90), while in London this would cost £7,752.09  (C$13,259.20).

For a cheaper option, consider Calgary with properties costing C$3,063.83 (£5,240.39 ) per square meter, according to Numbeo’s cost of living website.

Cost of Renting in Canada

House for Rent. Image credit: Depositphotos

For the first time in decades, the demand for rental properties in Canada surpasses ownership.

This trend is mirrored in the UK, where austerity measures have driven people towards renting rather than buying.

Both countries have fierce competition for quality rental homes.

Despite this, there are plenty of excellent properties out there!

So, what is the cost of renting in Canada compared to the UK?

Taking Ottawa as an example, a three-bed city home costs an average of C$3,311.00  (£1,935.80), with properties on the outskirts sitting at C$2,632.75  (£1,539.26).

In London, a similar property costs £4,151.19 (C$7,100.21) on average, with a drop to £2,711.25 (C$4,637.33) outside the city.

It is evident that renting is significantly more expensive in the UK than in Canada.

Utilities

A House with lots of lights on. Image credit: Pexels

A significant part of your monthly expenses goes towards heating, water, and electricity regardless of if you live in the UK or Canada.

You are probably aware that Canada experiences colder winters than most of the UK, which will affect your heating costs.

However, if you rent an apartment in Canada, the heating and hot water bills are often included.

For an 85m2 apartment, the average monthly cost for basic utilities in Canada is C$215.84 (£126.49).

In the UK, the equivalent cost is higher at £256.36 (C$437.44) per month.

It’s worth mentioning that energy prices are rising in the UK.

This has led to higher gas and electricity bills in the last year.

In fact, the UK currently has the highest electricity bills in the world!

Regarding broadband providers, expect competitive prices compared to the UK.

Mobile and internet packages may even offer potential savings.

Transportation

A Tram in Toronto, Canada. Image credit: Pixabay

Access to efficient and dependable public transportation is a must for daily life.

Canada boasts a comprehensive public transport system, including subways, buses, streetcars, and paratransit, with each city having its own provider that is user-friendly, clean, and punctual.

In the UK, local buses are the most common mode of public transportation, with over 1.5 billion journeys taken on them in the past year.

Trains and taxis are also popular options for getting around the cities.

What are the costs of public transportation in the two countries?

A one-way bus ticket in Canada costs an average of C$3.50 (£2.05), while in the UK it is slightly more at £2.50.

A monthly pass is always more economical, costing C$104.90 (£61.48) in Canada and £68.26  in the UK, with similar prices in both countries.

As Canada is a vast country, many residents choose to drive and fuel costs should be taken into account.

Petrol costs in Canada are £0.93 per litre, which is significantly cheaper than the £1.51 per litre in the UK.

Healthcare

Medical Professionals Looking at X-ray. Image credit: Pexels

There is excellent news if you are a permanent resident of Canada because Medicare, which is provided through universal public health insurance, is available to Canadian citizens.

It guarantees that most health conditions are covered and that others, like optometry, are affordable.

It operates similarly to the NHS, with all of its advantages and disadvantages.

You will need to purchase private insurance if you are a temporary resident because you won’t have access to this free service.

If you are being transferred for employment, it is worthwhile to negotiate a package that includes medical insurance, otherwise, the costs might be considerable.

Shopping Costs

Grocery Shopping. Image credit: Unsplash

It will cost extra to buy groceries and meals in Canada because many of their foods are imported.

In comparison to Canada, the cost of food shopping is roughly 6.7% higher in the capital Canada compared to the UK’s capital.

When you factor in leisure time and eating out it is much the same.

For instance, the cost of dining out is a staggering 4.6% greater in Canada than it is in the UK.

This suggests that Canadians need to be more economical than their British counterparts when considering where to eat out.

The pattern is still there when engaging in leisure activities like going to the movies.

In the UK, going to the movies costs about 37.6% more.

Shopping for clothes and premium goods also entails higher costs in the UK, which is certainly something to be aware of.

Are You Considering Moving to Canada?

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Having a good understanding of your expected cost of living is an imperative aspect of moving house.

This is especially the case when moving abroad!

You may have little to no idea of what to expect when it comes to expenses.

We hope that this article has helped to shine some light on what to expect when it comes to the cost of living in Canada.

If the cost of living in Canada appeals to you and you are thinking of making the move to this wonderful country, White & Company are here to help your move to be as stress-free as possible.

Over the years, White & Company has positioned itself as the international removals firm of choice for removals worldwide.

Our experience is second to none. As members of BAR, FIDI and OMNI, White & Company have been relocating people to destinations worldwide for 145 years.

Our experienced teams located across the UK will pack and prepare your valuable, fragile and bulky furniture ready for export

To find out more about how we could get your dream move underway, don’t hesitate to give us a call today.

Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form or chat with our Bot and we’ll get in touch with you straight away.

We look forward to assisting you with your removals to Canada!

FAQs

Is the cost of living in Canada higher than in the UK?

Although it’s not always the case, the cost of living in the UK is typically higher than it is in Canada. Before deciding where to live, it is important to research the cost of living in each country and region because these costs can vary greatly depending on where you live.

Is Canada a Good Place to Live for Expats?

Canada is a remarkable nation with plenty of employment options and a strong economy. Canada is a multicultural nation that embraces immigrants with open arms and is a particularly progressive place to live. The Canadian government extends invitations to foreign nationals with in-demand skill sets to enter the labour force and support the country’s economy with over 100 immigration programmes.

Is Canada a better place to live than the UK?

Every country has distinctive characteristics and differences, so it is impossible to say which is better. Depending on what your requirements are there are some significant differences. For instance, Canada, like the UK, has both expensive and affordable cities, but overall, the cost of living there is significantly lower than in the UK.

Max Peterson

Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.