United States vs Canada — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
United States has a cost of living index of 100.0 with average 1BR rent around $1,850/mo, while Canada sits at 91.0 with rent near $1,550/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | United States | Canada | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 7.10% | 5.80% | Canada |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 4.50% | 4.20% | United States |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 22.8% | 20.5% | Canada |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$1,850/mo | US$1,550/mo | Canada |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$4,900/m² | US$5,400/m² | United States |
Summary
United States has a higher mortgage rate than Canada at 7.10% vs 5.80%. Rental costs in United States average $1,850/month compared to $1,550 in Canada, while the cost of living index sits at 100.0 versus 91.0. Overall, Canada looks more favourable across the headline numbers.
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How we calculate this
Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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