Canada
Cost of living, salaries, tax rates & quality of life
Quick Facts
Key stats and figures for Canada
Capital
Ottawa
Languages
English, French
Currency
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Cost of Living
12% below US
Avg. Salary
$ 48k/yr
Timezone
UTC-3.5 to -8
Population
40 million
Expats
8.4 million
Quality of Life
Based on Numbeo Quality of Life Index
Cost of Living & Salary Benchmarks
Compare expenses and earning potential across major cities
| City | Rent | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | CA$2,323 | CA$3,135 |
| Vancouver | CA$2,500 | CA$3,250 |
| Montreal | CA$1,600 | CA$2,230 |
Rent based on 1-bedroom apartment in city center. All values in CAD/month.
Tax Rates
Key tax information for Canada
Personal Income Tax
15%-33% (federal) + provincial
Corporate Tax
15% (federal) + provincial (~26.5% combined)
Capital Gains Tax
50% of gains taxed at marginal rate
VAT / Sales Tax
5% GST + provincial PST/HST
Good to Know
Tax treaties with 90+ countries
Language & Culture
What to expect when living in Canada
Official Languages
English Proficiency
HighLanguage Requirements
IELTS or CELPIP for English; TEF for French
Good to Know
Quebec requires French proficiency for many programs
Popular Visa Pathways to Canada
CanadaExpress Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)
Express Entry is Canada's points-based system for skilled-worker permanent residence, launched in 2015. It manages three federal programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class. Applicants submit a profile and enter a pool ranked by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). CRS scores age, education, official-language ability (English/French), work experience, and provincial nominations. Top scorers receive an Invitation to Apply in regular draws, often category-based (healthcare, STEM, trades, French speakers). Successful applicants gain PR with no employer sponsor required. This visa is ideal for skilled workers with strong age, education, language, and experience scores who want Canadian permanent residence without an employer sponsor.
CanadaC43 — Post-Graduation Work Permit
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a Canadian open work permit for international graduates of qualifying post-secondary Designated Learning Institutions. It requires no job offer and lets holders work for any employer in Canada, with duration matching study length — from 8 months up to 3 years. Applicants must apply within 180 days of written graduation confirmation. The PGWP is issued only once per lifetime. Since Nov 2024, most applicants need language proof (CLB 7 for university, CLB 5 for college) and must have graduated in a qualifying field. It bridges to PR via Canadian Experience Class. This visa is ideal for international students who completed a Canadian post-secondary program and want to build Canadian work experience toward permanent residence.
CanadaIMP — International Mobility Program (IMP)
Canada's International Mobility Program (IMP) lets employers hire foreign workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It covers LMIA-exempt roles — intra-company transfers, trade agreement positions (CUSMA, CETA), and work offering significant social or cultural benefit. Employers submit an offer of employment via the IRCC Employer Portal and pay a CAD 230 compliance fee; workers pay CAD 155 for the work permit plus CAD 85 biometrics. Permits are renewable and tied to the employment contract. Spouses may get restricted work authorization; dual intent is permitted. This visa is ideal for skilled foreign professionals and intra-company transferees whose roles qualify for an LMIA exemption under a trade agreement or significant benefit category.
Before You Go
What You Should Know About Canada
Essential reading for anyone considering the move
What Is a Transit Visa? Rules by Country
A transit visa lets you pass through a country on your way to another one — it is not a tourist visa and does not let you stay. Here is what it actually covers, when you need one, and how the rules differ across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Schengen Area, Japan and Singapore.
Do You Need a Job Offer for Canada Permanent Residence?
Canada's Express Entry system does not require a job offer - and since March 2025, a job offer adds no ranking points at all. What the published rules say.
If You're From Africa, Where Are Skilled Visas Actually Being Granted? Canada, the UK and the French Advantage (2026)
Cameroon outranked Nigeria for Canadian Express Entry invitations in 2024, driven almost entirely by a French-language category that issued 48,000 invitations in 2025 at far lower scores than general draws. The UK tells the opposite story: Skilled Worker grants are down 62 per cent from their 2023 peak, and the care route that carried most African volume has effectively closed.
Data Sources
Last updated: July 2026
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Cost of living, salary, and quality of life data are estimates based on third-party sources and may vary. Always verify current information with official government sources before making immigration decisions.