Cost Of Living In Canada Vs UK

Are you thinking about relocating to Canada or the UK and curious how much it will cost to live there? According to recent figures, it’s a close call—a single person can expect to pay around $1,826 in Canada and $1,818 in the UK per month. Meanwhile, a family of four can expect to pay $4,195 in Canada and $4,395 in the UK per month. So, which country is more expensive? Let’s dive in and find out!

Canada Vs UK: Housing

Between Canada and the UK, which country offers more affordable housing?

The average rent in Canada is 11.2% more than in the UK if you’re looking for an apartment in the city center. You may always opt to live outside the city center, where rent is 19.6% less expensive in Canada than in the UK if you don’t want to spend as much on rent.

A 3-bedroom apartment in Canada’s city center is just 1.4% more expensive than in the UK for families with kids or those who want a little extra space. However, if you’re willing to compromise on the locality, Canada provides a 14.8% savings on rent for a 3-bedroom apartment outside the city center compared to the UK.

If you want to buy a property, the costs per square meter in Canada for an apartment in the city center and outside the city center are 20.6% and 21.0% more, respectively, than in the UK. So it appears that the UK is the winner in terms of purchasing power.

Tip: Interested in buying a property in the UK or Canada? We have created a dedicated page that showcases the best companies to work with in Canada if you need to send large sums of money between the two countries.

Canada Vs UK: Salaries

The minimum wage in the UK is £8.91 per hour. That’ll get you a pint or two, but it won’t get you a property in London. On the other side of the Atlantic, in Canada, the minimum wage varies by province and runs from CAD 11.75 to CAD 16 per hour.

Now let’s compare the annual salaries of popular careers in the two countries. A software engineer makes an average of CAD 101,000 (£62,640.200) annually in Canada, while the same position earns an average of £59,900 in the UK. So, if you want to make more money as a software engineer, it’s time to pack your belongings and go to the Great White North.

If you’re a healthcare practitioner, you might want to consider the UK. A registered nurse in the UK may make up to £54,500 per year, but the average income in Canada is CAD 66,000 (£59229.100). The Great White North is also a good place for nurses.

If you want to be a chef, consider going to Canada. The average income for a head chef in Canada is CAD 72,500 (£44,964.500), while it is roughly £43,500 in the UK.

For those with an artistic bent, Canada is still a strong contender. A graphic designer in the UK can earn up to £43,600 per year, while in Canada, the average salary is CAD 75,800 (£47,011.160). So you might prefer Canada if you want to profit from your design skills.

Finally, Canada is a good choice if you’re a financial analyst. The average salary for a financial analyst in Canada is CAD 160,000 (£99,232), while in the UK, it’s around £93,100.

Canada Vs UK: Food

Restaurants are always a good place to start when comparing food prices. In Canada, an inexpensive restaurant meal will set you back around CA$20.00, or £12.41. In the UK, it’s a bit more expensive at CA$24.18 or £15.00, which is a difference of 20.9%.

However, if you’re looking for a mid-range restaurant for two, you’ll only pay around 1.9% more in the UK than in Canada. In Canada, a McDonald’s combo meal costs about CA$12, or £7.44, while in the UK, it costs CA$9.67, or £6.00—a 19.4% difference.

When it comes to groceries, the UK pulls ahead in some categories.

For example, a liter of milk in Canada costs around CA$2.69, or £1.67, while in the UK, it’s only CA$1.61, or £1.00—a whopping difference of 40.2%. Fresh white bread is also less expensive in the UK, costing CA$1.65, or £1.02, as opposed to CA$3.15, or £1.96, in Canada, a 47.6% difference. And if you’re a cheese lover, you’ll be happy to know that a kilogram of local cheese is about 34.7% cheaper in the UK than in Canada.

Of course, only some things are cheaper in the UK. For example, chicken fillets and beef rounds are more expensive in the UK by around 36.7% and 20%, respectively. And if you’re a smoker, you’ll have to shell out about 17.2% more for a pack of cigarettes in the UK than in Canada.

Canada Vs UK: Taxes

In Canada, the federal income tax ranges from 15% to 33%, while in the UK, it goes from 20% to 45%. In terms of the real estate tax, Canada’s property tax rates vary by province, while in the UK, you’ve got council tax. As for sales taxes, Canada’s got the GST and PST, while the UK’s got VAT.

Canada Vs UK: Utilities

Regarding utilities, let’s start with the basics—electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage. For an 85 m² apartment, you’re looking at around C$188.62 (£117.01) in Canada, compared to C$308.03 (£191.08) in the UK—a significant difference of 63.3%.

Moving on to mobile tariffs, a minute of prepaid talk in Canada will cost you about C$0.36 (£0.22), while in the UK, it’s just C$0.20 (£0.12)—a savings of 45.8%.

Now, let’s talk about the internet. In Canada, you can get 60 Mbps or more of unlimited data for around C$83.81 (£51.99), whereas, in the UK, it’s just C$48.37 (£30.00), a savings of 42.3%.

But before you think you’re getting a good deal, keep in mind that gasoline in Canada will cost you around C$1.82 (£1.13) per liter, while in the UK, it’s C$2.51 (£1.56)—a difference of 37.9%.

It all boils down to what’s most important to you—getting cheap internet, maintaining a comfortable home, or keeping your car fueled.

Canada Vs UK: Childcare

Childcare costs comparison Child care costs are more expensive in the UK. In Canada, a full year of private preschool or kindergarten for one child costs about CA$ 1,090.85 (£676.69), while in the UK, it’s a bit steeper at CA$1,674.93(£1,039.02). That’s a 53.5% difference!

Annual international primary school fees are much higher. Yearly tuition fees for one child in Canada come in at a whopping CA$17,926.96 (£11,120.71), while in the UK, it’s slightly more expensive at CA$21,949.42 (£3,615.98). That’s a 22.4% difference. So if you’re planning on starting a family or moving with family, you might want to think twice about where you settle down, or you might end up paying through the nose for your little ones’ education!

Canada Vs UK: Crime Rates

When it comes to crime rates, both Canada and the UK seem to be in the “moderate to high” range. The UK takes the lead, with crime increasing in the past three years, which could make you want to start locking up your valuables. However, the UK has slightly higher safety ratings for walking alone during the day.

Despite Canada’s lower crime rate than the UK, the worry of having items stolen from your car is high. Canada has slightly better safety ratings for walking alone at night. Remember, crime can happen anywhere, so always be aware of your surroundings, and invest in a sound security system, just in case!

Conclusion

The cost of living comparison between Canada and the UK makes it clear that each country has advantages and disadvantages. Each country offers something different, whether you’re more interested in low crime rates, inexpensive utilities, or readily available daycare. So, if you’re trying to figure out which country to call home, it ultimately boils down to personal tastes and priorities, so choose wisely and pack an umbrella if you decide to go to the UK.

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