Cost of Living in Canada in 2025
For many Indians, Canada is not just a country; it’s a dream, emblazoned with maple leaves, snowflakes, and the dream of “settling abroad.” But wait — before you begin to picture yourself sipping hot chocolate in Toronto, or wandering Vancouver streets, there’s one question that hits sharper than Delhi traffic: “Kitna kharcha aayega?
Life in Canada in 2025 isn’t nearly that pocket-friendly, considering rising rents, grocery bills that will make you long for the good ol’ Indian kirana stores, and a cup of coffee priced so high it can singe your wallet. But don’t panic — we’re not here to freak you out. With smart planning, you can monitor your expenses effectively and enjoy the Canadian way of life without doing mental currency conversions from dollars to rupees.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the cost of living in Canada in 2025 — from housing to health care — so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Think of it as your financial “survival kit,” so you can pack your bags for the Great White North.
Why do Indians choose Canada?
World-Class Education
Canada has some of the best universities in the world – Toronto, UBC, and McGill are all ranked high on the international scale – and they’ll provide affordable education. It is a popular choice among Indian students given its strong research prospects, emphasis on practical learning and scholarships.
Better Career Opportunities
IT, healthcare, engineering and finance etc are in demand in the Canadian job market. The Co-op and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) programs enable students to get a hands-on work experience and have access to great career opportunities.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Canada’s immigration-friendly policies have made it easier for students to stay on afterward. With Express Entry and PNP, a lot of Indians transition seamlessly from student to work visas and eventually PR.
Multicultural & Inclusive Society
Indians one of the largest migrant groups in Canada which makes transition much easier. Students feel at home in a diverse, tolerant and safe environment, with temples, gurdwaras and vibrant communities.
Cost Advantage
One advantage is that studying in Canada is cheaper than in the UK or US. Despite the rising cost of living in Canada in 2025, it is still lower than the rest. Most students can work part-time to help pay tuition and living expenses, and some provinces also offer subsidized healthcare, lowering the Canadian cost of living.
Lifestyle & Quality of Life
Canada is considered safe, clean and has a high quality of life. The big cities have modern living options and the smaller ones have student friendly cost of living, offering more to consider if you plan on sticking around long term.
Need assistance with admissions to a top university in Canada? Connect with Gateway International Today!
The Essentials: Typical Monthly Expenses
Average monthly total Canadian cost of living: CAD 1,200 – 2,500. Some cities and lifestyles may be above or below this range.
Housing Trends: 2025 Provincial Breakdown of Cost of living in Canada in 2025
Housing is still the main cause of Canadian cost of living change in Canada. Ontario and British Columbia experienced yearly decreases to the benchmark price for homes, with BC off 2.6% to $952,300 in July 2025, and Ontario losing 6.9% to $795,300. Despite these drops, they are still the priciest provinces. For Toronto’s Greater Area, the average sold price was $1,051,719, and the benchmark price dropped 5.4% annually to $981,000. High prices send many people toward rentals — and in that category, they’re high, too: In Toronto or Vancouver, a one-bedroom apartment often rents for more than $2,200 a month.
By contrast, expensive homes in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island reached all-time highs in July 2025 on the back of robust demand, economic expansion and population shifts. Newfoundland’s typical home is up 11% year-over-year, pushing it to $330,500; in Quebec, the benchmark rose to $531,100 (+9.5% year-over-year), and Saskatchewan reached $372,700 (+8.1%). These increases are the result of a growing population and more affordable channels of entry in to the market when compared to ON and BC.
Alberta’s benchmark price inched 0.4% higher to $519,200, which is still affordable compared with Eastern provinces. Cities like Calgary ($616,686) and Edmonton ($463,078) have seen modest price increases, but they still provide an entry point for first-time buyers and immigrants and are still fostering a strong, if not outright seller-friendly market.
Prairie and Atlantic Provinces are very affordable. Manitoba: $390,438 (+7.4% YoY) Nova Scotia: $429,200 (+2.6% YoY) Average prices on PEI and in New Brunswick are in the $327,000-$378,000 range, making homeownership a realistic proposition for more Canadians. The rental markets are still relatively soft, even as migration and younger Canadians looking for places to live are feeding demand.
Regional Cost of Living Differences
Variations in housing are directly reflected in provincial Canadian cost of living calculations.
For example, in Toronto and Vancouver, rates are (Individuals: $3,500- $4,300/month, Families: $6,800-$7,800/month), whereas Winnipeg, Halifax, and St. John’s are relatively low (Individuals: $2,700- $3,300/month, Families: $5,000-$5,900/month), despite recent periods of real estate growth.
Utilities usually tack on $150-$350 a month (depending on climate and the type of home), and transportation can fluctuate slightly between provinces (car insurance is priciest in Ontario and B.C). The cost of public transportation runs between $90 and $160 per month for city transit systems.
City
1BHK (Rent, CAD)
Groceries
Transport
Total (approx.)
Toronto
2,400
350
128
2,000+
Vancouver
2,350
375
130
2,000+
Montreal
1,400
300
90
1,300 – 1,500
Calgary
1,600
250
109
1,300 – 1,400
Living in Toronto/Vancouver is costly. Montreal and Calgary are friendlier for tight budgets.
Inflation, Groceries, and Consumer Goods
Canadian inflation in July 2025 cooled to 1.7%, far below pandemic highs. A sustained period of wage growth hasn’t kept up with previous price surges, meaning most Canadians are still feeling the pinch from previous years. A single adult’s groceries are likely to cost $350–$500 per month, and a family’s, as much as $1,200 per month. Dining out is on the rise in cost, where casual dining in cities like ours and other large cities cost from $25 to 45 per person. Durable goods like cars and furniture saw even bigger price increases (5.2 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively), affecting long-term purchases more than daily essentials.
Rental Markets and New Construction
Rental rates have skyrocketed in large cities thanks to sky-high population growth, low vacancy rates and soaring demand from both Canadians and international migrants. Saskatchewan came in at the head of the pack for Canada with a 4% rise year over year to $1,384 for monthly rentals (though that’s well below BC and Nova Scotia, where rents are highest). The demand is spurring new construction, especially in prairie cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg, buoyed by regulatory and policy changes aimed at alleviating shortages, boosting the economy and enabling affordable housing developments.
Special Considerations
Healthcare, free for most residents, does not cover prescription drugs and dental, which residents pay for by cash or by contributing to insurance. Daycare costs between $400-$1,200 a month, and the rates are the lowest in Quebec, due cost of living in canada to ultra-generous subsidies. International students' education costs, including tuition, living expenses, can range from $1,000 to $2,500; please budget accordingly.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s the final word? Living in Canada in 2025 is entirely feasible, and rewarding, and even thrilling — if you are ready. Yes, the thought of rent could have you missing your parents’ fully furnished room back home and how inexpensive a plate of chole bhature used to be to eat out, but Canada more than makes up for it in safety, opportunity and quality of life that’s hard to ignore.
Well, most of times it is a strategy for the Indians— choosing the correct city, controlling their urges associated with demands, and taking that step down from a made-by-others pizza to homemade dal-chawal, the moment pizzas start appearing overpriced. At the conclusion of the day, it’s not about the costs in Canada, it’s about the experiences.
So whether you’re thinking about going to school in Canada, working there or exploring a fresh new lifestyle, knowing the cost of living in Canada in 2025 is your copyright to turning your dream into something real and sustainable. Because let’s be real — living abroad is glamorous only when the bills are paid.
So, whether you’re dreaming of studying, working, or building a new life, understanding the cost of living in Canada in 2025 is your ticket to making that dream both realistic and sustainable. Because let’s face it—settling abroad is glamorous only when the bills are paid on time. Connect with Gateway International for wiser planning and smoother journey abroad.