Are you planning a move from the UK to Canada? Before you book your flight or start packing, it’s crucial to understand how your daily expenses will change. From rent and groceries to healthcare and transport, the cost of living in Canada vs the UK can vary more than you might expect.
This guide is designed to give you a clear, side-by-side breakdown of what life will cost in your new Canadian city compared to what you’re used to in the UK. We’ve crunched the latest 2025 data so you can budget with confidence, avoid surprises, and settle in smoothly.
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Cost of City Living: UK vs Canada
In 2025, it’s 4% cheaper to live in Canada than in the UK, according to Numbeo. If you are moving to Canada from the UK, it’s important to do your research on the cost of living, as each province will vary. Just like in the UK, the cost of living in Canada varies depending on where you choose to live, with cities typically more expensive than rural areas.
Here is an overview of the cost of living in Canada vs the UK in 2025, focusing on average city living costs.
| Category | Canada | UK | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed city centre) | £1,150 | £1,050 | Comparable; London and Vancouver are notably higher. |
| House Price (per m²) | £4,100 | £4,000 | Similar averages; major cities like London and Vancouver are higher. |
| Groceries (monthly) | £285 | £260 | Slightly cheaper in the UK. |
| Utilities (basic, 85m² flat) | £111 | £239 | Utilities are generally cheaper in Canada. |
| Internet (60 Mbps+) | £45 | £33 | UK internet services tend to be more affordable. |
| Public Transport (monthly pass) | £65 | £70 | Costs are similar, varying by city. |
| Petrol (per litre) | £1.10 | £1.38 | Fuel is cheaper in Canada. |
| Dining Out (mid-range, 2 people) | £55 | £60 | Comparable but tipping practices differ. |
| Childcare (private, monthly) | £715 | £1,050 | Childcare is significantly more expensive in the UK. |
| Average Salary (after tax) | £2,450 | £2,300 | Slightly higher average net salary in Canada. |
Vancouver, in particular, is known for high housing costs and pricey groceries, similar to South East England. Even mid-sized cities like Kelowna in British Columbia, known for its lifestyle appeal and wine country charm, rival UK hotspots like Bath or Cambridge in affordability challenges.
Rising costs in major hubs have pushed many Canadians toward the suburbs. Much like the UK, commuter towns aren’t necessarily cheaper anymore. Suburbs around Toronto and Vancouver, like Markham, Burlington, Burnaby, and Richmond, now carry price tags similar to cities themselves.
Canada vs UK House Prices
House prices are generally more affordable in the UK than in Canada. The average house price in Canada is $668,097 (£387,496) in 2025, which is 37% more expensive than the UK’s average of £282,000. Vancouver is by far the most expensive city in Canada, with the average property price at $1,239,418 (£669,592). This has gone down by 5.9% annually and climbed by 1.2% from the previous month.
Toronto follows Vancouver with an average house price of $1,068,500 (£578,949). Winnipeg sees some of the most affordable property prices, with an average of $402,915 (£217,741). Edmonton also offers lower house prices, with the average at $460,685 (£249,800).
How does this compare to the UK? At home, the national average house price is £282,000, however that figure varies in major cities. A house in London costs £686,901 on average, whilst in the North West the average cost is £240,000 and in the South West, it is £360,155.
Avg. House Prices Canadian Cities vs UK Cities
| City | Country | Avg House Price |
|---|---|---|
| London | UK | £686,901 |
| Manchester | UK | £246,000 |
| Birmingham | UK | £252,000 |
| Edinburgh | UK | £328,000 |
| Bristol | UK | £340,000 |
| Toronto | Canada | $1,068,500 (£578,949) |
| Vancouver | Canada | $1,239,418 (£669,592) |
| Calgary | Canada | $796,753 (£430,449) |
| Montreal | Canada | $625,026 (£338,035) |
| Halifax | Canada | $576,434 (£311,644) |
How Does Rent Price Compare?
The UK is more expensive for renting than Canada, especially due to London’s weight on the average. Lower rent prices is one of the many great reasons to move to Canada, as it lets new expats be more flexible in the early days of exploring where to live.
Let’s explore average monthly rents throughout the UK and Canada for an accurate cost of living in Canada vs the UK comparison.
Average Rent in the UK
By Country:
- England: £1,369
- Wales: £777
- Scotland: £991
- Northern Ireland: £832
Major Cities:
- London: £2,220
- Manchester: £1,183
- Birmingham: £905
Rent averages taken from ONS.
Average Rent in Canada
- Overall: $2,100
- Vancouver: $2,896
- Toronto: $2,615
- Montreal: $1,986
- Edmonton: $1,529
Rent averages taken from Rentals.ca.
Comparing Average Salaries in Canada vs UK
Average salaries are higher in Canada than in the UK in 2025. The average annual salary in the UK is £29,600 and $67,100 (£39,589) in Canada.
In Canada, as with the UK, there are huge variations on this figure, depending on which city or province you live in. for example, each province has its own minimum wage, and some more remote areas will offer high wages to encourage skilled workers. Many skilled expats who are transferred to Canada for work are in industries such as mining, technology and manufacturing, which all pay well.
We’ve looked at average salaries in the UK vs Canada for a range of jobs:
| Job | UK Salary | Canada Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | £45,000 | $95,000 (£56,050) |
| Registered Nurse | £31,000 | $75,000 (£44,250) |
| Pharmacist | £40,250 | $95,000 (£56,050) |
| Engineer | £48,000 | $74,000 (£43,660) |
| Marketing Manager | £36,000 | $78,000 (£46,020) |
| Financial Analyst | £42,000 | $90,000 (£53,100) |
| Office Administrator | £20,800 | $50,000 (£29,500) |
| Sales Rep | £28,000 | $60,000 (£35,400) |
| Plumber | £32,000 | $58,000 (£34,220) |
| Warehouse Manager | £28,700 | $55,000 (£32,450) |
Utilities and Food Shopping: UK or Canada?
The average monthly cost of utilities in Canada is $205.36 (£111.57), compared to £239.12 in the UK. If you are renting an apartment in Canada, it’s often common for the heating and hot water to be included in the price. When it comes to the internet, you should expect competitive prices similar to the UK, with mobile and internet packages a useful way to save money. However, if you live in a rural spot, as with many countries, your internet speed may be slower. The average monthly cost of utilities in Canada is £95, compared to £180 in the UK.
Grocery prices are 15% higher in Canada than in the UK. Many food items are imported in Canada, so that’s a big reason why weekly shopping bills are expensive. However, Canada has a huge agriculture industry, so buying local Canadian fruit and veg or Canadian wine will help you keep costs down. Eating out in a restaurant will cost 10.5% less in Canada compared to the UK.
Grocery costs UK vs Canada:
| Item | UK | Canada | Difference |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | £1.24 | $3.09 (£1.68) | +35.2 % |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | £1.24 | $3.72 (£2.02) | +63.4 % |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | £1.63 | $5.06 (£2.75) | +68.3 % |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | £2.96 | $4.83 (£2.63) | -11.4 % |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | £7.18 | $15.62 (£8.49) | +18.2 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | £6.61 | $16.77 (£9.11) | +37.9 % |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | £10.42 | $20.56 (£11.17) | +7.2 % |
Healthcare Costs in Canada vs UK
Healthcare is generally more affordable in the UK thanks to the NHS. However, if you are a permanent resident in Canada, you are eligible for Medicare, the universal healthcare available to Canadian citizens, offered through universal public health insurance. It ensures most health issues are covered, and others, such as optometry, are low-cost. It functions much like the NHS, with all its benefits and pitfalls.
However, if you are a temporary resident, you will not have the same access, so you will need to take out private insurance. The premiums can be high, so if you are being transferred for work it is worth negotiating a package with medical insurance included. You will also need to budget the cost of private healthcare for your first few months as a permanent resident, as you typically have to wait a while until you are fully covered.
Petrol Prices in UK vs Canada
Due to the long cold winters and the vastness of Canada and its sprawling cities, you may want to consider buying a car. The good news is that petrol prices in Canada are lower than in the UK at $1.61 (£0.87) per litre, 39.5% cheaper than the UK’s £1.44.
You will have to apply for a Canadian driving licence in order to take out insurance, which will have a minimum liability cover and can be expensive. However, there is no road tax in Canada, helping to save some running costs. There are some other unexpected costs that differ from the UK too, buying winter snow tyres is more common than in the UK, and maintenance might be more often due to the weather.
Conclusion
When it comes to comparing Canada to the UK, the cost of living is more similar than you might think. Whilst it’s technically cheaper to live in Canada, costs are very similar, and the UK is only 4% more expenisve.
Housing will be your greatest outgoing and can be incredibly pricey, so choose carefully where you want to live. If you are in a modern apartment block (condo) where heating is included, that is one less thing to think about when it comes to bills. With high grocery bills and housing, your monthly costs will be a bit higher than at home, but some might say the slightly higher cost of living is well worth the amazing lifestyle you can enjoy in Canada.
About 1st Move International
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