Moving to Canada from South Africa: Complete Guide
How to move to Canada from South Africa, including Canadian visa types and requirements, how to open a bank in Canada, and the cost of living in the country.
Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in Canada for South Africans
Gearing up for an adventure up north? Canada has been an exciting destination for immigrants from all over the world. Canada is the third most popular destination for South African immigration in recent times with 51,5901 South African-born people living in the country. This number has risen by 7.2% or 3,490 since 20201.
This article breaks down all that entails the big move. Be it questions like what would renting a 1-bed apartment cost me to how can I get the best exchange rate for international money transfers? We help you send money back home at the mid-market rate¹⁴ from Canada to South Africa using Wise – a great bank alternative for international money transfers¹⁷!
How expensive is Canada in comparison to South Africa
A move to Canada could help open a world of opportunities. The country has world-class universities, plenty of job opportunities, a diverse population, and immigration here is much less complex than several other western nations. However, the average cost of living in Canada per month is approximately 89% higher than in South Africa, with renting in Canada being 180% higher than in SA2.
The currency in Canada
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is the official currency of the country. The locals also refer to it as ‘loonie', 'buck', 'huard' and 'piastre’. This online currency converter can help you find the exact value of your ZAR in comparison with the Canadian Dollar.
*All prices mentioned with the ‘$’ sign in the article refer to the Canadian dollar unless mentioned otherwise.
Understanding exchange rates can be tricky. Some banks and services promise the best rates, but hidden costs lurk in the fine print. How do you stay protected?
Send money from Canada to South Africa using the mid-market exchange rate
As a bank alternative, Wise can help South African expats living in Canada save money¹⁴ when making international payments to South Africa.
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them.
While some Canadian banks support international payments, they usually add a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate for this transaction that customers end up paying.
Wise uses the mid-market rate for international payments and only applies a small transparent fee to make an international payment¹⁴.
This means that with Wise, South African expats could save money¹⁴ when making overseas transactions from Canada.
Cost of living in Canada vs. South Africa
While the cost of living in Canada has increased significantly over the past few years it is still much lower than costs in major cities in the USA. The Mercer ranking for cost of living in major cities places Toronto and Vancouver at 90 and 117 globally3. The cost of living in Toronto and Vancouver shows similar patterns, however, South Africans looking for more affordable options could consider Montreal, Calgary, or Ottawa as alternatives.
In the following sections we break down major costs like rent, transport, leisure, and healthcare to prepare you for the trip up north.
Rental costs in Canada
Rents have been at an all-time high in Canada with almost an 11.7% year over year rise. The average rent for one-bedroom in Canada reached $1,906 in October; it was a staggering $2,872 in Vancouver4.
The following table breaks down rents in major cities in Canada.
Average rental costs in Toronto
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Toronto5 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $2,610.09 (R34,887.07) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $2,315.41 (R30,948.30) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $4,332.14 (R57,904.49) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $3,563.46 (R47,630.11) |
Average rental costs in Vancouver
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Vancouver6 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $2,835.91 (R37,905.53) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $2,229.71 (R29,802.81) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $5,060.19 (R67,635.72) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $3,952.74 (R52,833.28) |
Average rental costs in Montreal
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Montreal7 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $1,644.00 (R21,974.11) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $1,253.16 (R16,750.02) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $2,851.47 (R38,113.46) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $2,046.72 (R27,356.95) |
Cost of groceries in Canada
Canada boasts of several grocery stores that serve the needs of their diverse population. Some of the popular ones include Metro, Sobeys, Loblaw, and even branches of Walmart. Listed below are the average prices of everyday items in different cities.
Average cost of groceries in Toronto
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Toronto5 |
|---|---|
| Bread | $3.73 (R49.80) |
| Milk | $3.74 (R49.94) |
| Eggs | $4.61 (R61.58) |
| Cheese | $15.96 (R213.32) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | $17.60 (R235.24) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | $18.00 (R240.59) |
Average cost of groceries in Vancouver
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Vancouver6 |
|---|---|
| Bread | $4.12 (R55.11) |
| Milk | $3.42 (R45.68) |
| Eggs | $5.85 (R78.17) |
| Cheese | $18.03 (R241.02) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | $19.11 (R255.39) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | $20.00 (R267.32) |
Average cost of groceries in Montreal
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Montreal7 |
|---|---|
| Bread | $4.14 (R55.28) |
| Milk | $2.85 (R38.16) |
| Eggs | $4.32 (R57.78) |
| Cheese | $16.41 (R219.31) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | $16.63 (R222.30) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | $18.00 (R240.59) |
Transport costs in Canada
Canada offers several choices for travelling including buses, metros, cabs, personal cars, and cycles. Using public transport is recommended for daily commute due to its affordability and convenience.
| Ticket type | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-way ticket in Toronto5 | $3.35 (R44.78) |
| Monthly transport pass in Toronto5 | $156.00 (R2,085.13) |
| 1-way ticket in Vancouver6 | $3.15 (R42.10) |
| Monthly transport pass in Vancouver6 | $140.00 (R1,871.27) |
| 1-way ticket in Montreal7 | $3.75 (R50.12) |
| Monthly transport pass in Montreal7 | $97.00 (R1,296.53) |
Eating out in Canada
| Category | Toronto5 | Vancouver6 | Montreal7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $24.00 (R320.79) | $26.00 (R347.52) | $25.00 (R334.16) |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | $110.00 (R1,470.29) | $120.00 (R1,603.95) | $120.00 (R1,603.95) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | $15.00 (R200.49) | $14.00 (R187.13) | $15.00 (R200.49) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $5.13 (R68.60) | $5.53 (R73.94) | $4.99 (R66.66) |
Study costs in Canada
Canada is a popular study choice for international students, the country hosted an approximate 807,700 students from around the globe by the end of 20228. But what draws students to Canada? The high-quality education, inclusive environment, and immigration policies play a vital role in driving these decisions. The University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, and McGill University are popular choices for international students.
Canadian universities when compared to their American and British counterparts are a much more affordable option for South Africans. The undergraduate tuition in Canada is an average annual of $27,159 CAD (R363,013)8 for international students. While post graduate fees stand at an approximate $21,000 CAD (R280,691)9 per year. The fees vary depending on university and field of study. You can find more information on the application process here.
Wise simplifies the process of fee payment through its multi-currency account at no monthly fee at the mid-market rate for rand to the Canadian dollar.
What is the average salary in Canada?
Canada is one of the top 20 highest paying countries in the world, but the pay varies greatly between industries and provinces. We’ve put together a list of some common professions and their pay in major Canadian cities to help you understand how much you could make if you move there:
Average salaries in Toronto
| Designation | Average salary in Toronto10 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $72,036 (R962,851) |
| Physician | $89,224 (R1,192,590) |
| Project Manager | $54,264 (R725,306) |
| UX Designer | $52,138 (R696,889) |
| Accountant | $44,617 (R596,361) |
| Data Analyst | $47,397 (R633,520) |
| Content Marketer | $38,867 (R519,505) |
| Nurse | $46,965 (R627,745) |
| Teacher | $40,439 (R540,517) |
*Salaries in USD $
Average salaries in Vancouver
| Designation | Average salary in Vancouver11 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $54,747 (R731,761) |
| Physician | $125,146 (R1,672,732) |
| Project Manager | $64,178 (R857,819) |
| UX Designer | $51,085 (R682,814) |
| Accountant | $43,096 (R576,031) |
| Data Analyst | $39,225 (R524,291) |
| Content Marketer | $32,918 (R439,990) |
| Nurse | $46,518 (R621,771) |
| Teacher | $37,889 (R506,433) |
*Salaries in USD $
Average salaries in Montreal
| Designation | Average salary in Montreal12 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $57,629 (R770,283) |
| Physician | $92,701 (R1,239,064) |
| Project Manager | $51,134 (R683,469) |
| UX Designer | $40,552 (R542,028) |
| Accountant | $40,054 (R535,371) |
| Data Analyst | $37,999 (R507,904) |
| Content Marketer | $30,539 (R408,191) |
| Nurse | $34,441 (R460,346) |
| Teacher | $37,889 (R506,433) |
*Salaries in USD $
What about healthcare costs in Canada?
The Canadian health system is public and also called Medicare. It provides coverage for services that are deemed ‘medically necessary’. It is important to note that prescriptions, dental care, and vision treatments are not covered. It can be accessed by citizens, permanent residents, select individuals with Canadian work permits, and certain refugees. You can also choose to buy private insurance to avoid navigating the complex public health system.
Without insurance healthcare in Canada is very expensive for non-residents. Listed below is an overview of some costs:
| Healthcare service | Average cost to you13 |
|---|---|
| MRI | $2,030 (R27,133) |
| Lab tests | $360 (R4,811) |
| X-Ray | Starts at $49 (R654.9) |
Although the cost of living in Canada might be higher than South Africa, the wealth of opportunities, great educational institutions, diverse population combined with tools like Wise, for international money transfers¹⁷. As you embark on this exciting new chapter, good planning and a complete understanding of the financial terrain will undoubtedly enhance your chances of an enjoyable adventure in the Great White North!
Sources:
- South Africans moving to Canada
- Cost of living SA vs CA
- Mercer: Global cost of living.
- CBC News: Rental prices in Canada
- Numbeo - Toronto
- Numbeo - Vancouver
- Numbeo - Montreal
- Canadim: Explore study opportunities in Canada.
- EduCanada: Cost of education in Canada.
- Teleport - Toronto Salaries
- Teleport - Vancouver Salaries
- Teleport - Montreal Salaries
- International Insurance - Canadian Health Care
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