Is it cheaper to live in Canada or the US?

The headline answer is that the two are close, with most Canadian cities slightly cheaper than the US average once healthcare is factored in. Calgary at $2,750 moderate sits below the US average of $3,525, a gap of nearly $800 a month. Toronto ($3,075) and Vancouver ($3,300) close that gap but still come in below the US average. The composition matters more than the totals. Canadian groceries and dining run higher than the US (10 to 25 percent above), and gasoline is roughly the same. Canadian housing in major metros is competitive with US Tier 1 cities. The biggest swing factor is healthcare: Canadians pay through taxes rather than insurance premiums, so a US household paying $1,200 to $2,000 a month in family premiums sees Canada as dramatically cheaper. For the full Calgary breakdown, see our Calgary cost of living page.