Cost of Living in Canada vs the UK: What Brits Actually Pay After Moving

The honest answer is: it depends entirely on where you're coming from in the UK and where you're going in Canada. Moving from London to Calgary? You'll probably spend less on housing and save more. Moving from Manchester to Vancouver? Your rent might go up and your salary might not follow. Here's what things actually cost, so you can do the maths for your own situation.

The Exchange Rate

As of mid-2026, GBP 1 buys roughly CAD 1.70-1.80. Keep this in mind when comparing prices. A CAD $2,000 rent sounds high, but it's roughly GBP 1,100-1,175, which is actually cheaper than many UK cities.

Rent

Canadian rents are quoted monthly. Outside Toronto and Vancouver, rent is generally cheaper than equivalent UK cities, especially compared to London and the south east.

If you're leaving London, you'll likely save on rent in most Canadian cities except perhaps central Vancouver. If you're leaving a cheaper part of the UK, Toronto and Vancouver may feel like a step up in cost.

Groceries

Groceries in Canada are more expensive than in the UK. Canada doesn't have the same level of supermarket competition (no Aldi or Lidl driving prices down), and the UK benefits from its proximity to European food markets.

Groceries are one of the biggest shocks for Brits moving to Canada. Even accounting for the exchange rate, food costs more. Budget an extra 30-50% compared to what you spend in the UK.

Transport

Canada is much more car-dependent than the UK, especially outside Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Public transport exists but is less comprehensive than what you're used to.

Petrol is cheaper in Canada than the UK, which helps if you're driving. Car insurance costs vary wildly by province, with BC and Ontario being the most expensive. If you have a UK no-claims bonus, some Canadian insurers will recognise it, so bring documentation.

Utilities and Bills

Mobile phone plans and internet are notoriously expensive in Canada compared to the UK. This is one of the most consistent complaints from Brits. The big three carriers (Bell, Rogers, Telus) dominate, though budget brands like Koodo, Fido, and Public Mobile offer cheaper plans.

Dining and Entertainment

Salaries and Tax

Canadian salaries are broadly comparable to UK salaries when converted, though they vary by industry and city. Canadian income tax is a combination of federal and provincial taxes.

Some advantages on the Canadian tax side: no council tax for renters, no TV licence, no National Insurance (replaced by CPP and EI contributions), and sales tax is lower than UK VAT in most provinces. Alberta has no provincial sales tax at all, just the 5% federal GST.

Healthcare Costs

Basic healthcare is free through provincial insurance (like the NHS), but dental, vision, prescriptions, and physiotherapy are not. Most Brits underestimate how much they'll spend on dental care in Canada, a checkup and clean costs CAD $200-$400.

If your employer provides extended health benefits, these costs are mostly covered. If not, budget CAD $1,500-$3,000 per year for dental, vision, and any prescriptions you need.

The Bottom Line

For most Brits, Canada works out roughly similar or slightly more expensive than the UK overall, but the picture changes dramatically based on your specific cities and circumstances:

• London to Calgary/Ottawa/Montreal - you'll likely save money, especially on rent and council tax
• London to Toronto/Vancouver - roughly similar costs overall, rent savings offset by higher groceries and phone bills
• Smaller UK city to Toronto/Vancouver - expect higher costs across the board
• Smaller UK city to smaller Canadian city - broadly comparable, with groceries and mobile plans being the main areas where Canada costs more

Prices in this article are based on publicly available data from Statistics Canada, the ONS, rental listing platforms, and cost-of-living comparison tools as of August 2026. All figures are indicative and will vary by location and lifestyle.