Honest first-year budget for a newcomer to Canada — one-time setup costs, monthly living costs, and the all-in number to plan around. Updated for 2026.
$40,140 – $65,640
Lower end = smaller city + roommate. Upper end = Toronto/Vancouver solo 1BR.
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Flight to Canada (1 person, intl) | $1,500 |
| First + last month rent + deposit | $6,000 |
| Furniture (essential) | $2,500 |
| Kitchen + household basics | $800 |
| Winter clothing (jacket + boots) | $800 |
| Phone + internet setup | $300 |
| Driver's licence + ID conversion | $200 |
| Initial groceries | $500 |
| Health insurance (3-mo waiting period in some provinces) | $600 |
| Total one-time | $13,200 |
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR, mid-tier city) | $1,400 | $2,400 |
| Groceries (1 person) | $400 | $600 |
| Phone | $35 | $70 |
| Internet | $60 | $100 |
| Transit / car | $150 | $600 |
| Health/dental top-up insurance | $0 | $100 |
| Misc (clothing, social, etc.) | $200 | $500 |
| Monthly total | $2,245 | $4,370 |
📋 Full step-by-step: Newcomer checklist
🏦 Bank account: Best bank for newcomers
🏠 Housing reality check: Cost of living by city
💰 Salary expectations: Average salary in Canada
📅 Permanent residence: CRS score calculator
Estimates based on 2026 averages across Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa. A family of 4 typically needs 2.0–2.5× these numbers.