Living in Canada can be an excellent experience for Indian families. The snow-capped mountains and beautiful sceneries can mesmerise anyone. But despite all the natural beauty and ease of life, one must be aware of the costs of living in Canada. The total cost of living in Canada for a family depends on several factors like the city you choose to live in and your lifestyle. For instance, if you choose to live in Vancouver or Toronto, the overall living expenses in Canada will be significantly higher. Let us help you understand more about the average cost of living in Canada.
Tuition fees in educational institutions across Canada are slightly high. However, they are lower than other countries like the UK, the USA, and Australia. University fees are known to increase slightly yearly. At the same time, you might observe differences in the tuition fees depending on a particular city or course. For instance, in Newfoundland, you would find some of the cheapest universities in the country. On the other hand, Ontario has some of the most expensive universities.
If you have to compare transportation costs across different cities of Canada, you will find that Ontario leads the way. Public transportation in Ontario can cost around CAD 200 every month. While living in Quebec, the public transport tickets can cost around CAD 86 monthly. At the same time, opting to travel by cabs can cost around CAD 19 per trip.
Health Insurance
When you are in Canada on a work permit, your employer has the responsibility of providing you health insurance coverage. When you arrive in Canada as a student, it is recommended that you buy health insurance coverage from a reliable provider.
The total cost of health insurance varies depending on the level of coverage and the provider. It could cost you around CAD 4000 annually.
Taxes
If you plan on becoming a permanent resident of the country, while arriving at the average expenses in Canada, you should also factor in the taxes you are liable to pay. The federal government typically charges a GST (Goods & Service Tax) of 5 percent. Additionally, there are several provinces that charge a PST (Provincial Sales Tax) of 7-10 percent. Here’s a quick province-wise comparison of taxes:
Why Use Niyo Global Card When You Live in Canada?
Whether you are a student looking forward to pursuing your higher studies or living as a family in Canada, one of the most important aspects is to minimise your cost of living in Canada per month.
If you wish to save on the total cost of living in Canada, a reliable international debit card like Niyo Global card can help. Niyo Global card comes with a wide range of benefits to help you save on your overall living expenses in Canada. With a Niyo Travel card, you can benefit in numerous ways:
Visa Processing and Passport Fees
To enjoy life in Canada for Indian families, securing a Canadian visa is mandatory. When you apply for a student visa, the visa processing fees will be around CAD 100, whereas,a permanent residence visa fees will be around CAD 550.Education Costs
To analyze life in Canada for Indian families or students, you should also factor in education costs while figuring out the monthly expenses in Canada.| Discipline | Average fee for UG Course (Annually) | Average fee for PG Course (Annually) |
| Pharmacy | CAD 32,886 | CAD 10,500 |
| Architecture | CAD 22,100 | CAD 20,000 |
| Engineering | CAD 26,582 | CAD 15,800 |
| Computer Science | CAD 25,000 | CAD 13,000 |
| Business Management | CAD 23,500 | CAD 20,000 |
Housing Expenses
While living in the country as an Indian family, it is imperative for you to know about the total cost of living in Canada per month to manage your overall monthly budget. The housing expenses will depend on the type of accommodation and the location you choose. For instance, in major cities like Vancouver and Toronto, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment can be between CAD 1200 and CAD 2000. The average monthly expenses in Canada on housing in smaller towns and cities can be relatively lower. The cost of a one-bedroom apartment can be between CAD 600 and CAD 800 per month. Here is a brief rundown of the average rent in Canada per month for an apartment in different cities| City | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom |
| Vancouver | $2,500 | $3,630 |
| Toronto | $2,257 | $3,259 |
| Ottawa | $1,767 | $2,206 |
| Calgary | $1,583 | $1,934 |
| Montreal | $1,543 | $1,958 |
Food Expenses
Food expenses will vary depending on your dietary and lifestyle choices. On average, an individual can expect an expense of around CAD 200 per month on groceries. If you have a family of four members, you can expect grocery expenses to be around CAD 900. Here’s a comparison of food costs in different cities of the country:| Monthly Food Cost | Ontario | Quebec | Alberta | Nova Scotia | Newfoundland |
| CAD 260 | CAD 250 | CAD 270 | CAD 235 | CAD 255 |
Transportation Expenses
The costs of public transportation in Canada will vary depending on the city in which you live. For instance, the monthly public transport pass in Toronto costs around CAD 150, whereas in Vancouver, it is around CAD 241 per month. Transportation forms an integral part of the average cost of living in Canada.| Modes | Average Monthly Cost |
| Subway monthly pass | CAD 65 to CAD 99 |
| Bus monthly pass | CAD 100 to CAD 150 |
| Taxi (1km) | CAD 40 to CAD 50 |
| City or Province | GST | PST |
| Alberta | 5% | – |
| British Columbia | 5% | 7% |
| Quebec | 5% | 9.9% |
- The card can be utilized for withdrawing money in CAD from ATMs in Canada. The in-app ATM locator can help you find the nearest ATM in Canada.
- You can also make relevant purchases with the card at Visa retailers.
- You can load the card in INR and it will help you make seamless transactions in Canada.
- The zero forex markup feature of the card ensures there is no foreign transaction fee. Only VISA exchange rate applies to your international transactions.
- The card can be used for smooth payments at hotels, restaurants, stores, and online shopping too.
