If you’re an Indian family planning to move to Canada, you’ll need to know how much money you’ll need to budget for living expenses. The cost of living in Canada can vary depending on your lifestyle and the city you choose to live in.
In this article, we will provide a breakdown of the average costs associated with living in Canada as an Indian family and how much this equates to in rupees.
Keep reading for more information!
How much money should an Indian family prepare before moving to Canada?
The cost of living in Canada will vary depending on your lifestyle and the city you choose to live in. For example, if you live in a larger city like Toronto or Vancouver, your costs will be higher than if you live in a smaller city or town.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific costs you can expect to encounter as an Indian family living in Canada:
Passport and visa processing fees
Some initial costs to consider include passport and visa processing fees.
If you don’t already have a valid passport, you’ll need to obtain one before applying for a Canadian visa. The cost of a passport in India is currently ₹1,500 for a regular 10-year validity passport and ₹2,000 for a jumbo book (60-page) passport.
If you are applying for a temporary visa (such as a visitor visa, student visa, or work permit), the processing fee is CAD 100 (6,600 INR). If you are applying for a permanent residence visa, the processing fee is CAD 550 (35,700 INR).
IELTS test fees
If you are applying for permanent residency, you will need to take the IELTS test or an alternate approved language test.
Moving expenses
You should consider the upfront and initial costs of moving internationally to help you prepare financially.
Initial moving costs include:
- Airfare can cost anywhere from CAD 1500 to CAD 2,500 (91,000 INR to 1,62,500 INR).
- The cost of moving furniture and other things in your home varies on the size of your household but can cost as much as CAD 16,900 for a 3-bedroom home.
- If you want to bring your car with you, it can cost anywhere from CAD 1,300 to CAD 6,500.
Some of the items that you bring with you across borders are taxed or require additional customs fees. If you’re looking to cut down on moving expenses, it may be worthwhile to consider what you can leave behind or move at a later date.
Housing expenses
Your housing costs will depend on the type of housing you choose and the city you live in.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a major city like Toronto or Vancouver can range from CAD 1200 to $2000 per month (72845 INR to 1,21408 INR).
In smaller cities and towns, rent is usually cheaper, with one-bedroom apartments costing between $600 and $800 per month (39,000 INR to 52,000 INR).
Families often choose to rent houses, which can cost more than apartments but provide more space.
Two-bedroom houses in major cities can cost between $1,200 and $2,000 per month (78,000 INR to 130,000 INR), while in smaller cities and towns they usually cost between CAD 800 and CAD 1,200 per month (52,000 INR to 78,000 INR).
Be sure to verify which utilities (gas, water, heat) are included in rent. You may be responsible for these expenses on top of rent if they are not included. These services need to be started before you move in.
The costs of utilities can range from CAD 50 to CAD 200 per month (3,200 INR to 13,000 INR), depending on your location and lifestyle.
Some renters also charge additional fees for pets, smoking, and parking, so you should always read the fine print of any housing agreement you sign.
Food expenses
Food-related expenses will also vary depending on your lifestyle and dietary choices.
The average person spends about $200 to $300 per month on groceries (13,000 INR to 19,500 INR) in Canada. If you have a family of four, you can expect to spend around $800 to $950 per month on groceries (54,000 INR to 63,500 INR).
If you are on a budget, you can cut down your food costs by cooking at home, eating out only occasionally, and avoiding name-brand labels for highly processed foods.
You can also save money by taking advantage of sales and discounts at the grocery store, or by growing your fruits and vegetables.
Transportation expenses
Public transportation costs will also vary depending on the city you live in. For example, a monthly public transit pass in Toronto costs $150 (9,750 INR), while a monthly public transit pass in Vancouver costs $181 (10987 INR).
If you don’t have a car or hope to save on car expenses, considering how accessible public transportation is might be important for you.
Health Insurance
If you are coming to Canada on a work permit, your employer is required to provide you with health insurance coverage. However, if you are coming to Canada as a student, you will need to purchase health insurance from a private provider.
The cost of health insurance varies depending on the provider and the level of coverage you choose, but it typically costs an average of CAD 4,000 per year (2,42817 INR).
These costs are just for health insurance. You will also need to budget for other healthcare costs such as prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care. These costs can vary depending on your individual needs.
You should set aside money in case of serious medical emergencies and expenses as well.
Phone and Internet expenses
For Indian families, the cost of phone and Internet service in Canada is likely to be higher than what they are used to paying in India.
Most phone plans in Canada include a certain amount of data usage, with additional fees for exceeding your limit.
The average cost of a phone plan is CAD 50 to CAD 100 per month (3,250 INR to 6,500 INR). The cost of Internet service is usually around $50 per month (3,250 INR).
Entertainment
With so much to do and explore in Canada, you should plan to set aside some funds for fun!
From going to the movies to a trip to Prince Edwards Island, the average Canadian spends about $200 per month on entertainment (13,000 INR).
Taxes
Finally, if you are planning on being a permanent resident, you should factor in the cost of taxes when budgeting for your move to Canada.
The federal government imposes a goods and services tax (GST) of 5% on most goods and services purchased in Canada. In addition, most provinces also impose a provincial sales tax (PST) of 7% to 10%.
The total tax burden for Indian families is therefore expected to be 12% to 15% of their total expenditure. However, many goods and services are exempt from GST and PST, including food, medical expenses, and residential rent.
So, how much money should you bring with you when you move to Canada?
It depends on your lifestyle and the city you choose to live in.
However, as a general rule of thumb, you should budget for at least $1,500 to $2,000 per month (97,500 INR to 1, 30,000INR) in living expenses.
Of course, the best way to get a realistic idea of what you’ll need to budget for is to speak with someone who’s already living in Canada. They can give you first-hand advice on how much it costs to live in the city you’re interested in and what type of lifestyle you can expect.
If you don’t know anyone personally, contacting us is also a great first step in preparing for your move.
How can my family save money in Canada?
It is no secret that the cost of living in Canada can be quite high.
For Indian families who have recently immigrated, it can be tough to adjust to the new lifestyle and budget accordingly.
Here are some useful tips on how Indian families can save money and still enjoy life in Canada!
- Make a budget
This is the first and most important step to saving money. Determine your income and expenses so you know how much you have to work with each month.
- Try to find cheaper alternatives for the things you need
You don’t need to buy the most expensive brands all the time. Generic options at the grocery store, sales, and discount stores can offer the same high-quality products for a fraction of the price.
- Try opting for homecooked meals
Eating out can be expensive, especially if you do it often. Try to cook at home and eat out on special occasions.
- Use public transportation
If you left your car behind, you can take advantage of Canada’s public transportation. It will help you save on gas, car insurance, and new car payments. This is also a cost-effective way to explore your new home!
- Look for local deals
Websites like Groupon offer discounts for family experiences so that you can make the most out of exploring Canada. Keep an eye out for promotions and loyalty programs that can offer you additional savings.
- Use coupons
Coupons can help you save a significant amount of money on your purchases. You can find coupons in newspapers, flyers, and online.
- Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk can help you save a lot of money, especially if you are buying non-perishable items. This may help you significantly reduce the cost of your grocery bill.
Migrate to Canada with your Indian family today!
With a little bit of planning and research, you can find ways to save on costs and still enjoy all that Canada has to offer.
Moving to Canada can be a great way to improve your standard of living and provide your family with opportunities that they may not have back home.
Express Entry PR is committed to helping people navigate the Canadian immigration system. We offer a step-by-step guide that covers everything from applying for a visa to finding a job in Canada.
Our website also has a wealth of resources to help you make the most of your new life in Canada. So if you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, let us help you!