How Canada and the US compare on living costs depends on what you compare and who is paying. Start with pay: median full-time weekly earnings were US$1,251 in Q2 2026 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics), against C$1,320 in Canada in 2025 (Statistics Canada), which is about US$936. On those figures the US median is 34% higher. Health insurance is a cost on the US side: a US worker with employer family coverage paid US$6,850 a year on average toward premiums in 2025 (KFF), before deductibles and copays, while provinces may not charge for insured physician and hospital services. Childcare, taxes and housing are compared below. This page is part of our cost of living in Canada guides; for the UK, see cost of living in Canada vs the UK.
Exchange rate: C$1.4096 per US dollar (Bank of Canada, September 23, 2026). All conversions on this page use it.
Overall cost comparison
| Category | Canada (CAD) | Canada (USD equiv.) | United States (USD) | Canada as % of US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $86,000 (2024) | $61,010 | $87,460 (2025) | 70% |
| Typical home price | $668,219 (CREA average, August 2026) | $474,049 | $434,900 (NAR median single-family, Q2 2026 (preliminary)) | 109% |
| Groceries (monthly, family of 4) | $1,464 | $1,039 | $1,388 | 75% |
| Healthcare (annual, household) | $3,060 (average household health spending, 2023) | $2,171 | $6,850 (worker share of employer family premium, before deductibles) | 32% |
| Childcare (monthly per child) | $218 (at the $10/day federal target) | $154 | $1,099 (national average) | 14% |
| Regular gas (per US gallon) | $6.58 ($1.74/L, August 2026) | $4.67 | $4.06 (August 2026) | 115% |
The last column divides the Canadian figure, converted to US dollars, by the US figure: below 100% means the Canadian figure is lower. Sources: Statistics Canada Canadian Income Survey 2024 and US Census Bureau (income); CREA national average price and NAR median single-family price (different measures); Canada’s Food Price Report 2026 family-of-four forecast and the USDA moderate-cost food plan for a family of four (August 2026); Statistics Canada Survey of Household Spending 2023 and KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey (healthcare; different measures); the federal child-care target of an average $10 a day for 2025-26 at 21.75 billing days a month, and Child Care Aware of America 2025 (childcare); Statistics Canada table 18-10-0001 and US EIA (gas, 3.78541 litres per US gallon).
Housing
Home prices in comparable cities
| Canadian city | Home price (CAD) | In USD | Comparable US metro | Median single-family price (USD) | Canadian price as % of US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto (GTA) | $850,000 (TRREB median) | $603,008 | Chicago | $438,600 | 137% |
| Toronto (GTA) | $850,000 (TRREB median) | $603,008 | New York | $802,400 | 75% |
| Vancouver | $1,075,900 (GVR benchmark) | $763,266 | Seattle | $815,000 | 94% |
| Vancouver | $1,075,900 (GVR benchmark) | $763,266 | San Francisco | $1,500,000 | 51% |
| Ottawa | $622,357 (OREB median) | $441,513 | Washington, DC | $688,200 | 64% |
| Edmonton | $466,080 (RAE average) | $330,647 | Minneapolis | $414,300 | 80% |
Canadian prices are from each local real estate board for its latest month (TRREB August 2026, Greater Vancouver REALTORS September 2026, OREB August 2026, REALTORS Association of Edmonton September 2026): the median where the board publishes one, the benchmark for Vancouver and the average for Edmonton, all home types. US prices are the National Association of REALTORS median sales price of existing single-family homes by metro area, Q2 2026 (preliminary). The measures differ, so the comparison is approximate. For Canadian price levels by city, see average house prices in Canada.
Healthcare
| Factor | Canada (Ontario example) | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Premiums | No premium for provincial coverage. Ontario residents pay the Ontario Health Premium through the income tax system: from $0 at a taxable income of $20,000 or less to $900 a year above $200,600; it doesn't affect eligibility for OHIP. | Worker share of an employer plan averaged about US$120 a month for single coverage and US$571 for family coverage (KFF 2025) |
| Doctor and hospital visits | Following the Canada Health Act, provinces prohibit extra-billing and user charges for insured services: in Ontario, OHIP pays the full cost of medically necessary doctor visits and hospital care. | Copays, deductibles or coinsurance for insured patients; the average single-coverage deductible was US$1,886 (KFF 2025) |
| Prescription drugs | OHIP doesn't cover prescription drugs outside hospital, such as antibiotics from a family doctor. OHIP+ covers more than 5,900 medications for people aged 24 or younger who aren't covered by a private plan, and seniors can qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit. | Depends on the plan |
| Dental | OHIP doesn't cover dental care in a dentist's office (some dental surgery in hospital is covered). The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan covers Canadian residents for tax purposes who have no access to private dental insurance, have filed their tax return (as has any spouse or partner) and have adjusted family net income under $90,000. More on the Canadian Dental Care Plan. | Depends on the plan |
| Vision | OHIP covers a major eye exam every 12 months for people 19 and under, and every 18 months for people 65 and older. OHIP doesn't cover eyeglasses or contact lenses. | Depends on the plan |
Sources: Ontario, “What OHIP covers” and “Health premium”; KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey.
US employer health insurance costs (KFF 2025)
| Measure | Single coverage | Family coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual premium (total) | US$9,325 | US$26,993 |
| Average worker contribution | US$1,440 | US$6,850 |
| Average deductible | US$1,886 | n/a |
KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey. The employer pays the rest of the premium. Canadian households spent $3,060 on average on health care in 2023 (Statistics Canada, Survey of Household Spending).
Taxes
Income tax: single, $80,000 CAD
At the exchange rate above, $80,000 is about US$56,754.
| Tax component | Canada (Ontario, CAD) | US (Texas, USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $9,243 | $4,630 |
| Provincial/state income tax | $4,885 | $0 |
| CPP / Social Security | $4,446 | $3,519 |
| EI / Medicare | $1,123 | $823 |
| Total | $19,697 (24.6%) | $8,972 (15.8%) |
| Canadian total in USD | about US$13,974 | |
| Health insurance (worker share of employer premium) | $0 (the Ontario health premium is in the provincial tax above) | $1,440, plus a deductible averaging $1,886 |
2026 figures for a single employee with no other income. Canada: federal and Ontario income tax (including the Ontario health premium) after basic personal amounts and credits, plus CPP and EI. US: federal income tax after the US$16,100 standard deduction (10% and 12% brackets), Social Security at 6.2% and Medicare at 1.45%; according to the Texas Comptroller, Texas does not have a personal income tax.
In US dollars, the Ontario employee’s taxes and contributions are 56% higher than the Texas employee’s, before the Texas employee’s health premium. The Canada vs USA tax comparison covers more incomes and states.
Two earners, $150,000 CAD combined
At the exchange rate above, $150,000 is about US$106,413.
| Tax component | Canada (Ontario, two earners at $75,000 each, CAD) | US (Florida, married filing jointly, USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal + provincial/state income tax | $25,409 | $8,410 |
| CPP + EI / Social Security + Medicare | $10,739 | $8,141 |
| Total | $36,148 (24.1%) | $16,550 (15.6%) |
| Health insurance (worker share, family) | $0 | $6,850 |
| Total with health insurance | $36,148 | $23,400 |
2026 figures. Canada: two Ontario employees earning $75,000 each (income tax after credits, CPP and EI, each). US: federal income tax for a married couple filing jointly after the US$32,200 standard deduction, before the child tax credit, plus Social Security and Medicare on both salaries; according to the Florida Department of Revenue, Florida does not impose personal income tax. Neither column includes child benefits.
Social programs
| Program | Canada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Parental leave | For parents with at least 600 insurable hours who qualify, EI maternity benefits (15 weeks) plus standard parental benefits (up to 35 weeks for one parent) at 55% of earnings, 50 weeks in all; or extended parental benefits (up to 61 weeks for one parent) at 33%; parents who share get up to 40 or 69 weeks of parental benefits between them | Up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave under the federal FMLA for eligible employees; some states add paid leave |
| Child benefit | Up to $8,157 a year per child under 6 (Canada child benefit, July 2026 to June 2027) | Child tax credit of up to US$2,200 per child (2025 tax year) |
| Childcare | Federal target of an average $10 a day in regulated care; fees vary by province | About US$1,099 a month on average (Child Care Aware of America) |
| Unemployment insurance | Up to 45 weeks at 55% of average insurable earnings, up to a maximum (see EI) | Each state runs its own program and sets its own eligibility rules (US Department of Labor) |
| Post-secondary tuition | $8,021 a year average domestic undergraduate tuition (2026/2027, Statistics Canada) | Varies by state and institution |
Salaries by profession
| Profession | Canada (median, 2020, CAD) | US (25th to 75th percentile, May 2025, USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Software developer | $91,000 | $105,210 to $171,980 |
| Registered nurse | $90,000 | $80,330 to $112,350 |
| Secondary school teacher | $85,000 | $59,980 to $92,570 |
| Accountant | $80,000 | $67,020 to $109,810 |
| Lawyer | $128,000 | $102,990 to $221,370 |
| Electrician | $68,000 | $49,430 to $83,940 |
Canada: median employment income of full-year, full-time workers in 2020 (2021 Census, Statistics Canada table 98-10-0586-01), the latest occupation-level figures on one basis. US: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national. The two sources measure different years (2020 versus 2025) and different things (a median versus a middle-50% range), so the table shows levels, not a precise US premium; at today’s exchange rate C$100,000 is about US$70,942. For Canadian pay by occupation and province, see average salary in Canada.
What the numbers show
The comparison comes out differently for different households:
- Families with young children: at the federal target, regulated childcare would cost about US$154 a month per child against a US average of about US$1,099. EI parental benefits pay a share of earnings, while federal FMLA leave in the US is unpaid.
- Middle-income earners: at $80,000, the Ontario employee’s taxes and contributions are 56% higher than the Texas employee’s, but the US worker also pays a share of health premiums and deductibles.
- Higher earners: the salary table sets US pay ranges by profession beside Canadian medians; compare them at the exchange rate above, keeping in mind the different years and measures.
- Drivers: gasoline cost 115% of the US price in Canada in August 2026, converted to US dollars.
- Home buyers: Canada’s average home price was 109% of the US median single-family price, on different measures.
Before a cross-border move, the costs worth adding up include health premiums and deductibles, childcare, taxes and retirement benefits, not only the salary difference. Living costs also vary widely within Canada: see cost of living by province.
Related articles
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them between September 23, 2026 and October 13, 2026. How we check facts.
- Bank of Canada: Data table
- Canada Revenue Agency: How much you can get - Canada child benefit (CCB)
- cdn.dal.ca: TRACKING THE FORCES BEHIND CANADA’S 2026 FOOD PRICES
- CREA: CREA Stats (local board market statistics)
- Department of Finance Canada: Budget 2021: A Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan
- dol.gov: Family and Medical Leave Act | U.S. Department of Labor
- GlobeNewswire: Canadian Home Sales Slide Down Slightly in August
- Government of Alberta: Childcare fees | Alberta.ca
- Government of Canada: EI maternity and parental benefits: Eligibility
- Government of Canada: EI maternity and parental benefits: What these benefits offer
- Government of Canada: Do you qualify - Canadian Dental Care Plan
- Government of Ontario: Health premium
- Government of Ontario: What OHIP covers
- Government of Ontario: Learn about OHIP+
- Greater Vancouver REALTORS: GVR Residential Market Report - August 2026
- Greater Vancouver REALTORS: GVR Residential Market Report - September 2026
- info.childcareaware.org: Child Care Prices Rival Major Household Expenses; Supply Fails to Keep Pace with Demand
- IRS: IRS releases tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026, including amendments from the…
- IRS: Topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates | Internal Revenue Service
- IRS: Child Tax Credit | Internal Revenue Service
- Justice Laws (Canada): Employment Insurance Act
- Justice Laws (Canada): Employment Insurance Act
- KFF: 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey | KFF
- nar.realtor: National Association of REALTORS®
- Ottawa Real Estate Board: Ottawa Home Sales Pull Back Sharply in August While Prices Hold Steady
- REALTORS® Association of Edmonton: New inventory is still being added, but sales have slowed for fall
- Statistics Canada: Employee wages by industry, annual
- Statistics Canada: Market income, government transfers, total income, income tax and after-tax income by…
- Statistics Canada: Household spending by household type
- Statistics Canada: Monthly average retail prices for gasoline and fuel oil, by geography
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- Statistics Canada: Statistics Canada
- TRREB: Creator: Tableau 20262.26.818.1324
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Document
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- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Document
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Document
- U.S. Census Bureau: Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2025
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Official USDA Thrifty Food Plan: U.S. Average, August 2026
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: U.S. Regular All Formulations Retail Gasoline Prices (Dollars per Gallon)