How Does Canada's Cost of Living REALLY Compare to USA?

[@MakeThatChange]

Please note US deductions are missing Social Security and Medicare which sum up to around additional 7%. These deductions will be accounted for in future videos.

[@davidcummings5711]

I feel the city pairs you compare are misleading when you are evaluating Canada vs USA. One might argue that you're selected pairs only compared equal-ish cities. How would this comparison shakeout if you picked for instance the top 5 cities in each country to come up with a country average. Or compared the 5 fastest growing. It's unclear if you account for sales taxes which also differ significantly. I realize it's a lot of work to do this video, but when you pick roughly equal cities the comparison is unsurprisingly equal.

[@MakeThatChange]

Thanks for your feedback. Comparing cities between the two countries is surprisingly hard, there are many way we could slice and dice it ( by population, geography, size, rating etc). Top 5 in Canada vs top 5 in the US is a whole other ball game. I just don’t think you can put new York and Toronto or Montreal and LA together. I do like the idea of fastest growing cities. Duly noted for future topic ideas. Sales tax is indeed accounted for in cost of living calculations, all numbers are after tax.

[@parkerbohnn]

Mortgage interest and property taxes are tax deductible in America. At the 4:09 mark its left out. This is for people who still have a mortgage in America.

[@davidcummings5711]

@@parkerbohnn that used to be true, but requires itemizing in your taxes and current US tax law limits this deduction to the point most are better off using the standard deduction. The deduction heavily favored people that could afford expensive houses and it's current limitation helps make the taxation more fair.

[@jimjim5491]

what about taxes???

[@indorseable]

I'm a Canadian that has been living in Seattle for 7 years now. It's absolutely true that Seattle is a very affordable place to live in because it has very high paying jobs, no state income tax and relatively OK rents. So you end up saving a lot more money versus Vancouver or Toronto. In addition, the career ceilings in the US tend to be higher than Canada so in the long-run, you can make a lot more money.

[@stevedavenport1202]

True observation.

[@evanhammond7305]

@@indorseable the ceilings are very high in Alberta's oil and gas industry especially for tradesman. I know several electricians and welders that are multi millionaires. several big rig owners that are very wealthy. All of these people have little education just hard work and grit. Alberta is the greatest place on earth and no one can tell me different. Oil rich cow folk with traditional conservative values and a attitude to preserve it.

[@User12345fan]

@@evanhammond7305 hold your horses, Texas is better.

[@aerialpunk]

The high ceilings really depend on what field you work in. I could see it being true for my husband's job, but for the areas I've worked in, I probably would get paid less and have worse working conditions to boot. I think that's why she didn't mention this stuff - it's about cost of living as he tried to look at a typical couple, not at a couple working in fields with high ceilings, which isn't necessarily common - at least not as common as average jobs .

[@quartermaster1976]

​@@evanhammond7305Beautiful cowgirls everywhere.

[@borlach321]

I lived in Montreal for 10 years. I live in Delaware now. No comparison. Canada is crazy expensive and wages are lower.

[@MakeThatChange]

you went from one of the most taxed provinces in Canada to the state with some of the lowest taxes in the US.

[@10tenman10]

Taxes are insanely high in Canada. The $10 per day daycare in Canada is bogus---you cannot get a spot.

[@Dee_Just_Dee]

No kidding. I live in Montreal and have been working a tech job for almost 10 years now. My take-home pay works out to about $29k/yr USD. Minimum wage works out to a take-home pay of just under $20k USD/yr. Meanwhile, the cheapest rents for tiny apartments are like $1,000 USD/mo and the cheapest houses are like $175k USD. I honestly don't know how young Canadians earning barely above minimum wage even survive.

[@johncooke6241]

Very well done. As a self employed Canadian who employs hundreds of people, id love to see a similar comparison related to running a business in Canada vs the USA. The risk vs reward numbers appear much better in the USA.

[@Albertalorian]

They are, 2 companies I contracted for have left Canada for Texas (2015 and 2018 respectively) both went from being crushed and struggling, to 18% growth year over year. Both of the owners are now multi-millionaires.

[@FutureWorkSavvy]

You are correct, but it also depends highly on where your business is located. The one big advantage that the U.S has is its "at will" employment" which means it is a lot easier to hire and fire employees with little financial concern. Canada's employment laws are much more socialistic and pro employee so termination is not harder to do but you will almost always have to pay the employee on the way out and typically much more than you would in the U.S. As an employer this is a consideration. Also generally cost of labour in the U.S is lower and this is because of the extremely low wages in some parts of the country.

[@paulforgang9606]

I'm a dual citizen and currently living in Calgary, Canada. I'm retired and over 65. Overall, real estate in the US is cheaper but property taxes are higher. Taxes are MUCH less in the USA especially for retirees. I'm eligible for Medicare in the USA and, BETTER and MORE COMPREHENSIVE Healthcare in the USA. Canadian Healthcare lacks enough doctors and specialists. I tell people that my quality of life may be better in Calgary, but, jobs and income are much better and plentiful in the USA. I've lived and worked in Houston. I'd definitely be there now if I had a young family.

[@evanhammond7305]

He's basically saying if he wasn't suckin off our healthcare system he would live somewhere else because he doesn't like paying for the system he lives off.

[@fakeologist1]

Good comment

[@doglover32993]

As a Houstonian, I'm amazed by how many Canadians I've met in the city; there's even a Canadian pub. I have an ex from Calgary and I love the city. If I could move anywhere in Canada it would be there.

[@RantTheRetort]

@@doglover32993 When I was living in another state, I would run into Canadians who came to the US for shopping and vacation...universally they were arrogant and condescending. Finally, I had to ask a couple who felt the need to talk about US politics, if the US is so shit, why aren't still in Canada?

[@parkerbohnn]

No one retires to Calgary its too cold there.

[@nicktankard1244]

I live in Vancouver and I recently compared it to Seattle. It made me depressed. The average salary for highly skilled workers is even higher in Seattle. In my field of tech it’s 2-3x higher. While the average house price is 2x lower in Seattle. Also Seattle is significantly bigger than Vancouver if you compare metro areas. And has more stuff to do.

[@MakeThatChange]

Seattle sounds like a 💎

[@nicktankard1244]

@@MakeThatChangeyeah it’s less walkable compared to Vancouver but that’s ok. I like Vancouver it’s the only place in Canada I could live in. But it is insanely expensive.

[@emptiness018]

i hope you get an offer from usa soon.

[@nicktankard1244]

@@emptiness018 thanks. I’m not looking currently. I’m kinda stuck in Canada for the next 3-4 years. Eventually maybe

[@kakayou546]

Walkability in vancouver is important becuase you wont be able to afford a car

[@MakeThatChange]

Which cities or maybe countries should we compare next?

[@lawrencea274]

Why would you leave the second biggest city ,the second populated province out Montreal / Quebec. Must be your prejudice showing . How could one believe showing the obvious.

[@pj3359]

@@lawrencea274 She left New York, LA, San Francisco, Miami, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Houston and may be Fargo too... Why would she leave all these cities? Indeed prejudice.. 😉

[@MakeThatChange]

Because I only have so many hours in the day to make a video in my free time. I make videos on what I’m interested in 😉

[@pj3359]

@@MakeThatChange Thanks very much for your efforts! I am grateful to you for making this video and sharing this information.

[@emptyhad2571]

Indians in Tim hornets are smiling at this video

[@patty109109]

I’ve lived in the US and in Canada (still visit regularly Canada) and my conclusion is that I would be middle-class in Canada, but I’m upper middle-class in the US. I live in a good size city in the US and I can still buy a brand new four bedroom two car house in a superb school system for $500,000. $3.30 for a gallon of milk, same for a gallon of gas.

[@fortmacmom3122]

What about healthcare expenses???

[@jakearsenta2144]

@@fortmacmom3122 Believe it or not, they’re not as bad as you may think. It’s all overblown.

[@SnowTiger45]

Well goody for you. I live in Canada and have been to the US and have seen all I ever want to see of the US. CANADA - Living the American Dream without the Violence (or Trump) since 1867 ... and Loving It.

[@jakearsenta2144]

@@SnowTiger45 Canada is much, much, much more violent than the States. What the hell are you talking about.

[@jakearsenta2144]

@@SnowTiger45 Without Trump? Ummmm, you guys have Trudeau.

[@philliphartman2381]

Canada has the world's best health care system, as long as you don't have to use it. It's like Schrodinger's Health Care System.

[@maplehightech]

Did you use it? I used it. I live in Toronto. Over the last few years, I was able to see multiple specialists within 3 weeks of family doctor referral. My surgery done last year was scheduled within 2 months and the surgery was not as urgent. To me, it was indeed excellent. People are complaining here not able to find family physician, but I have family physician in my area sending me letter to my house saying they are accepting new patient. Canada’s healthcare is not as bad as online videos because bad news tends to spread quicker and good news people tend to be quiet.

[@philliphartman2381]

@@maplehightech The day I spent 16 hours in the emergency waiting room, writhing in pain, when all I needed was antibiotics was the day I resolved to leave Canada.

[@irishcanuck9489]

We have walking clinics open during the day some into early evening, why go to emergency and wait?? Good luck with US corporate for profit healthcare and it's co pay! I live in BC we don't pay monthly premiums. Only thing I pay out of pocket for is Optometrist, podiatrist, physiotherapy, chiropractor and medication because I don't have extended health benefits. I also live up north and I have no doctor as there is a doctor shortage. I can get tests and specialist referrals via a virtual doctor. If I need surgery a doctor will be assigned to me. All prenatal and birthing covered, unlike US healthcare! My spouse was taken by ambulance to the nearest (small) hospital (covid) flown air ambulance from there to the nearest large hospital, treated, flown back...no out of pocket expenses except one ambulance fee of $80. I also got a free room in a hospital dorm. Therapists visits our home and we were offered home nursing care at no charge all oxygen and machines delivered at no charge. My spouse was assigned a doctor. Next, my son had kidney failure, all his dialysis needs and food supplements delivered weekly to his home no out ofvpocket expenses. Eventually a transplant, all after care, all medication, covered even free parking at the hospital. I'll stay in Canada. Yes, I'm originally from Vancouver, move to the suburbs if you can't afford Vancouver, we have an excellent transit system connecting the suburbs! Vancouver is more beautiful than Seattle! Canada has better social programs and takes better care of the indigent, disabled and seniors and children. That's what we also pay higher taxes for. Our education standard is higher! I bought a nice retirement home near a lake, low taxes, all amenities: city water, sewer, street lights, paved roads, snow removal, school, low taxes for $100,000. People live here and work, mostly in the oil rigs in Alberta making 6 figure salaries! Canada was ranked #1 for safety (2024) out of 15 popular world destinations! Love the US to visit but not to live!

[@flywithme7]

BS

[@floydchusset3143]

I've lived in America and Canada. Paid about the same in taxes but get way more for my taxes in Canada. Most Americans hate the government (hate giving them their money even more) because they've never experienced good governance.

[@S14530]

Cheapest house in niagara falls, on is 600k. Cheapest house in niagara falls, ny is 60k. Nothing else to say

[@jcampbell2481]

Niagara falls NY is a dump; that's why its so cheap!

[@ueg-zm8wf]

@@jcampbell2481 trudeau îs that you ????

[@rubygreta1]

There are nice sections on the NY site, believe me.

[@chrislconley27]

If you have money Canada is a good place to live. If you don't have much money you can find some nice places to live in the US.

[@TS-qd2uj]

Canada is done! People are taxed to death and get pretty much nothing in return. If I could leave it today, I'd be packing my stuff right now. It's just not worth living here anymore. I live in woke BC, where the biggest drug pusher is Dr. Bonnie Henry. The governments are out of control, inept and out of touch.

[@MikesGoogleAcct]

The Social Security + Medicare is the equivalent to Canada's CPP and EI. Except they total 7.65% on incomes up to 168K. Employers match to the total is 15.3%. In Canada CPP + EI is about 7.6% to a lower maximum of $63K to $73K. Employers match an additional 8.25%. This makes the taxes between the two counties closer, especially for those with incomes between $70K and $168K.

[@alainrouleau]

That's not entirely correct. Social Security + Medicare has nothing to do with unemployment insurance. It's a separate program and is usually funded through employer payroll taxes.

[@MikesGoogleAcct]

@@alainrouleau The point is that it needs to be included when determining taxes. It makes the rates more comparable.

[@ericp1480]

@@MikesGoogleAcct I agree with you 100%. This 7.65% FICA tax gets deducted from our payroll by law, and this is part of the median househome income in this video. So it should be deducted just like any other tax.

[@melvric]

I've lived in many cities throughout most provinces in Canada. I've also lived in the US (military exchange) and have had healthcare in various other countries. I can say that this video is pretty spot-on. Well done!

[@XMG3]

I'm a millionaire in vancouver, and I struggle to pay my bills and mortgage every month living frugally, I don't eat out ever, don't goto cinemas, can't remember the last time I travelled. Still wears the same shirt from 20 years ago. This is how I survive here. You also failed to mention in Canada, the wait time in clinic and hospitals are average 8-12 hours. My aunt passed away in Burnaby while waiting 10+ months for breast cancer surgery. This is the kind of free health care we have, and everything is getting exponentially worse now year by year with trudeau's $2.2 trillion dollar national debt, while he still waits for his budget to balance itself and flood the country with foreign workers to keep the economy barely afloat. My property is now tanking in value because we're in a depression where no one is buying, so I'm paying a mortgage that's about $200k over what my property is now worth. The list goes on, most people don't realize how bad it is here.

[@rachelk8368]

I am born and raised in Vancouver and fled to Alberta now plan to go to the States. Working in healthcare I just see this as planned- especially in Alberta- they are breaking AHS apart and will make healthcare worse so that all Canadians ask for private healthcare and we will see a further divide in quality of life between the halves and have nots based on real estate and money.

[@javelinblue5414]

I'm happy you're rich, I'd rather someone have money like you than the government.

[@robocop581]

​​@@javelinblue5414 Most of my Boomer friends in Vancouver are millionaires because of the value of their homes. Can't really spend those millions unless they sell and downgrade to a condo.

[@XMG3]

@@robocop581 and if we sell now, we loose hundreds of thousands, property value is tanking, investors all leaving this dung pit.

[@ScurvyDave]

This comment doesn't add up. I am a single low 6 figure earner engineer on track to retire by 55 in Ontario. Millennial. No "family money". I am about to spend two weeks in Japan on vacation. Was recently on a climbing trip in south America. I wear brand name clothing. Ordered uber eats a few minutes ago. Nothing special here, just an effort to max out tax advantaged accounts. I eat a lot of poutine, drink a lot of beer, and drive a sick old truck. Although I live in a smaller city so housing is only "aggressively unaffordable" rather than "absolutely unaffordable". My monthly housing costs are around $2500. My mom recently had breast cancer. Had her biopsy 2 weeks after her annual mammogram showed an abnormality. Surgery within 1 month of diagnosis. 10 months would imply it went many years undiagnosed or was insanely aggressive. Preventative action is also a thing. Canada has incredible options for tax efficiency that are available to everyone, not just rich people. On an individual level, WAYYYY better than the states. Utilize this. Also you won't lose healthcare if you get laid off, want to start your own business, or just want to "live in a van down by the river". Are you a millionaire because of financial literacy/income or because you bought a house before the market was turbofucked? Every boomer that bought a house working as a cashier at sears is a millionaire. My grandmother is a millionaire just by existing as a single mother and buying a home working odd low paying jobs. This is not a flex. I agree Canada is on a bad path. But saying I am a millionaire and can't afford a new T shirt is silly. Edit: I noticed the plural "mortgage(s)" - OK bud. Realize some of your gains, you will be alright - our system is literally structed to make sure you will be alright... Unless you speculated on housing being a "get rich quick investment" and did not fully comprehend the downward potential. If so, please eat shit on your over-leverage investment. Sorry that the system temporarily stopped serving you? Welcome to the party.

[@User12345fan]

I live in Texas and as a single person I get to save a shit ton of money, doing a comparable job in Canada with a comparable lifestyle I would probably just breakeven.

[@haaxxx9]

I also live in Texas and I can't even get hired for an entry level job at this point. I applied to over 50 applications in the past month and I only got to do a few interviews with me being ghosted or not selected to be hired for whatever reason. No criminal record, got separated at the army early, currently have -$25 in my bank account right now with being behind car payments (One I have currently, one was a lemon which I bought as is without knowing it with a messy situation and insurance that total up to $600 a month just to drive to work and back), and got put out for paying $500 month rent from my mothers by my sister while I was making less than 2K a month in a shitty warehouse job making $15 an hour (Amazon). I don't even see how Texas is livable like this. I been here all my live and this state is ageist me entirely. Wish I could move out to another country to see how I do there.

[@quartermaster1976]

​@@haaxxx9how old are you?

[@haaxxx9]

@@quartermaster1976 About to be 25.

[@quartermaster1976]

@@haaxxx9 Where are you applying to? I live in DFW and they are still hiring but not as strong as we're in a recession and leading to a depression no one wants to overhire.

[@keithpalmer4547]

@@quartermaster1976 Relax tRumper there will be no DEPRESSION!

[@andrewthompson1313]

You appear to have missed the FICA tax on income in the US. Employees pay 6.2% of gross compensation up to a limit ($168,600 in 2024) and 1.45% with no limit. Self employed pay double that amount (essentially paying both the employer and employee FICA taxes. FICA tax is separate from income tax - it does not appear on your U.S. income tax return. You can identify it as a reduction in pay in your paystubs or as an amount that appears on your W-2 statements that you generally do not enter on your tax return.

[@MakeThatChange]

Thanks for flagging this.

[@CXBlues]

You’re meticulous with applying a fair logic through number crunching. Big up for the information sharing ❤

[@yukon666]

A big question about the cost of car ownership. Gas is cheaper in the U.S., even in the most expensive state compared to the cheapest province. Cars are also cheaper (in Canada, they’re more expensive due to the USD/CAD exchange rate), and insurance is significantly cheaper in the U.S. Maintenance costs are also lower in the U.S., with cheaper parts and labor. Regular maintenance services are cheaper too. It’s not very clear why the U.S. comes out so much more expensive in the table.

[@MakeThatChange]

The numbers here are average and will surely differ from person to person. One thesis is that Americans drive a lot more than Canadians ( aka American public transit is nearly non existent, neither is city walkability for the most part), which increases gas expense and maintenance expense. Most Americans also drive bigger cars which are more gas hungry. With that, I’d challenge that the total annual gas cost in the US is in fact higher than Canada.

[@MPiKMS72]

A reasonable estimate for the Canadian average miles driven per year would be between 9,440 miles (15,200 km) and 12,430 miles (20,000 km), with a possible trend towards higher mileage (15,534 miles or 25,000 km) in certain regions or demographics. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the average miles driven per year by Americans is 14,263 miles (2022 data).

[@Lightsngear]

@@MakeThatChange "Most Americans also drive bigger cars"? What in 2024 is a "bigger car"? The 1970's are long gone! Even most luxury cars today have more average frame sizes and are more fuel efficient. I don't see too many "pimp-mobiles" on the road these days!

[@vivamuslibero6127]

We have lived in Vancouver and were essentially priced out of it. We no longer liver there. We moved as a consequence of high monthly rental prices. There are things we miss as well as things we do not miss (but more things we don't miss). It used to be very safe in most areas but that has now very much changed. 10 years ago you never heard about random attacks or women being stabbed in the neck from behind while waiting in line at a coffee shop. Violent crime seems to be on the increase. Traffic is dysfunctional. The roads are systematically being taken away from drivers. Parking spaces for cars are being taken away being replaced with permanent bike lanes for a select few that only use them in nice weather. The weather is actually terrible accept for perhaps a couple months in the summer (if you're lucky). A million dollars plus for an 800 sq ft condo that comes with drug users and violent criminals in your back alley, who wants that?Restaurants and services are dropping like flies because they can not afford to do business with the city's high tax regime and affordability crisis. Eventually Vancouver will just be left with 100 story unlivable sky boxes with no services for the residents, no roads to let you travel anywhere and uncompetitive taxation rates that inept and starving city councils demand from their citizens. Goodbye, Vancouver....good riddance.

[@vejet]

Weather is terrible you say but it's still way better than anywhere else in Canada.

[@judyberes8655]

I got to spend two summers in Vancouver during grad school. The first was the most beautiful Summer. Temperatures around 75 F every day. Clean beaches, friendly people, and a dorm room close to the cliffs above the sea. Second summer: torrential rain for all but 3 days. Got very sick. Cash paid for useless health care that said I had become allergic to my pillow???? Bought a crappy foam pillow and continued to be ill. When I got back home, I was fine no matter which pillow I used. So grateful to have that first summer to remember; but I try to block the second from my memory. Not going back, even if just for a visit.

[@w8stral]

@@vejet Uh, no. As someone who lived further south most of my life in Wasghington State, he is correct, the weather sucks other than 4 months out of the year in which it is glorious. Southern Ontario is much better. Live in Syracuse NY and in Ohio and I can 100% tell you the fall/winter/spring is MUCH superior in that region. Now that regions summers are worse than PNW, but otherwise....

[@vejet]

@@w8stral Lol O.K. I've lived practically my ENTIRE LIFE in southern Ontario so I know EXACTLY what the weather is like here. It's cold asf during the winter and I'm sick and tired of it. Vancouver in contrast does not have to deal with the cold and snow anywhere near as much, nor are the summers as humid as Ontario's. Ontario really only has two seasons - summer and winter, opposite extremes. The nice in between periods with moderate temperatures are rather short. Where as in my many trips to Vancouver I've found the temperature to be much more moderate no matter what time of the year it is. Yes I'm aware Vancouver has more rain and "gray days", but I don't mind that since the overall temperature is what's most important, imo.

[@w8stral]

@@vejet Oh its temperate all right. Vancouver still hits -20C or lower for a week a year in the winter. That Fraser river trench from the far north funnels it down. And the "summer" barely hits 25 for a couple weeks on average. You better LOVE 10C and rain, lots and lots of rain. One literally NEVER sees the sun from End of November through February with a 1 week window somewhere in that period of semi sun. 1900mm on average. Can have a week solid of rain with ZERO breaks sometimes. Ontario ~800mm and it comes in a a handful of heavy storms. If family was not here, I would move. The mountains are AWESOME though with all that crappy weather. But if you are not big into mountaineering.... well

[@judyberes8655]

My sister retired to Seattle from Southern California. The cost of living is constantly growing, but the worst is the depressing, wet weather that only subsides for August.

[@2GringosOnTheGulf]

Thanks for sharing this my friends. Cheers from 2 Canadians 🇨🇦 living in Mexico.🇲🇽🥰✌🏼

[@MakeThatChange]

Cheers friends!

[@parkerbohnn]

I parked most of my money in Mexico to get the currency appreciation and the double digit interest rates. Canada is a write-off for anyone with money.

[@2GringosOnTheGulf]

@@parkerbohnn Canada is a dumpster fire ✌🏼🔥

[@NotThatBob]

Canada is a wonderful country. I was born there. I had a successful consulting company in Ottawa. My frustration was in that the more I made, my taxes went up so as I saw little gains for my effort. I was lucky that my wife and I got temporary work visas for the United States. My wife had a company job, and I decided to start a new business. I worked at Office Depot and once I saved $2K, I began my home improvement business. In 6 months I stopped working night shift at Office Depot and I never looked back. I got my Green Card. I began to purchase land and started a trucking company. Only in the USA can you start a business with $2Kusd. About 3 years later I became an American Citizen. I'm a true 100% American lol. This is the true appeal of the USA. The American dream is attainable, not easy, no guarantees, but yes, very attainable.

[@josephrobi6806]

Are you dual citizenship canadian and US citizens?

[@Sukhrehal5]

How did you guys got greencard as canadian citizen ? Could you please explain little about the process ? Thanks

[@NotThatBob]

@@Sukhrehal5 I decided to work for a company headquartered in the USA. My manager was my friend and he knew I wanted to move to the USA. It's not easy, but the company managed to find a 6 month assignment in the USA. My family came on non-work visas. I continued to work on short assignments. Once I was working in the States for a while, I got a green card. So did the family. Then I applied for my citizenship. Until you're a citizen, there's no guaranty you will stay. You have to stay on top of the process.

[@NotThatBob]

@@josephrobi6806 yes

[@Sukhrehal5]

@@NotThatBob oh okayy , thank you brother Have a great life in usa🇺🇸

[@CTee-oi1bm]

Your average Vancouverite here in my 30’s. I find a majority of people my age either still live at home and share the cost of living, have multiple jobs (2-3), and or live with multiple roommates. People stay in Vancouver not because it’s affordable in any way, but the great weather and beautiful nature.

[@PeteHagen-sm4tn]

I'm from high priced California and I think Vancouver is too expensive.

[@brettgracey9682]

One major difference is that medical bankruptcy n Canada isn’t a thing. It’s the number one cause in the US. In Canada there are no copayment. Literally one serious medical emergency in the US and it’s a lifetime of debt. For Canadians living in the US, they have the backup plan of simply moving back to Canada to get lifetime of healthcare without copayments.

[@Albertalorian]

Medical Bankruptcy is definetly a thing in Canada, lots of specialized care and drugs are not covered OR are simply not offered. I know this, as I've had the Canadian healthcare system kill 3 family members of mine, who blindly believed the system had their best interests in mind. Also since MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) was approved in Canada, this is now the default option presented to anyone requiring more than 3 months of treatment. 14000 Canadians a month, Travel to the US/Overseas to seek life saving medial care, that is not offered or is insane expensive in Canada; My Neighbor being one of them. In Canada they were going to be fine with him being paralyzed from an infection, they would get him a wheel chair, and 10 year prescription for Opiates (and eventually MAID). He made the choice to fly to Seattle, paid $22 000 Canadian (they take Canadian dollars, because so many Canadians go there for care) and walked out of the hospital 3 days later. So yes, Healthcare in the US has its issues, but I personally believe Canada has just as many, if not more issues. When I worked in the US as a contractor, it cost me $700 a month for full health insurance (including Medical Evacuation), but I could be Infront of a doctor in 15 miniutes, and everything was covered (even 80% of any drugs). So there are options in the US, it just depends what you're willing to figure out.

[@brettgracey9682]

@ The Canadian healthcare system killed 3 members of your family? Bet none of them were killed because they had a pre-existing condition, or not enough money for a co-pay. As for going for experimental treatments or medications, I’m sure you will find value in the US medical system. As for Canadians seeking treatment abroad, it happens, cause you know Canadians travel abroad from time to time. Some even live abroad for a time. There are also cases where some jurisdictions send patients abroad to get healthcare. In my area there is a Tier one trauma centre located just over the border in the US. It gets used if it’s closer than the local trauma centre. Alberta was having a pile of trouble a few years ago providing adequate care and was sending lots of patients to the US for care. Perhaps that’s when your family was killed. The thing is in Canada, it’s a single payer health system, meaning you can’t pay for covered healthcare here. You can pay for upgrades and extra services, like private rooms or better lenses for cataract surgery. Unless you have moved back to Canada really recently, I’m not sure what isn’t covered that you talk about? Some meds, sure, but they are still likely a fraction of what they cost in the US. My wife and I cancelled our drug coverage for a 6 month period a few years ago, due to a leave of absence. 2 meds that I took cost $60 each for a 3 month supply, so $240 for 6 months of drugs. Was quite a bit cheaper than supplemental drug coverage. I looked recently on Costplus drugs, the same drugs were twice as expensive through them and US national average was $400 for a 3 month supply, for each drug. So $1600. But yeah you could see a doctor fairly quickly, and how many $100’s of dollars did that cost, each and every doctors appointment? Feel free to believe what you want about the differences in our healthcare systems, but if you want me to agree things are so much better in the US, why does healthcare cost so much more, yet they live several years less than Canadians? As for MAID, some friends lost their Mother and Father to Maid last year. He had ALS and she had terminal cancer. They went out on their terms.

[@socomxx]

That’s not true, you don’t know how the American medical system works. One medical issue will not put you into lifetime debt.

[@brettgracey9682]

@ one serious medical emergency, can put many Americans into a lifetime of debt. Many others it just puts in the ground. Strange argument to make the week during which an insurance company CEO was executed. Given the apathy displayed by many Americans, about it, I just might be on to something. Dunno.

[@valeria-militiamessalina5672]

This one is one of your best videos to date, very close to an investigative documentary.

[@ScottsdaleSushi]

I have several Canadian friends who married Americans. All three are staying in the USA for retirement. But they have kids here so that makes a difference. They told me it is less expensive to live here. But there are big differences in costs depending on where you live here in the USA. I want to go to Banff on vacation now that I am retired. It looks beautiful!

[@MrArnaudlouis]

Amazing research job keep it up.

[@ChrisPollitt]

Thanks for crunching the numbers. Vancouver (where I live) costs are unbelievable. The only way we can survive is a) we paid off our home over a decade ago and b) we have low expenses (no car, no kids)

[@TS-qd2uj]

I lived in Vancouver for a very long time and as I was nearing retirement I did some simple math. My mortgage was paid up but my property taxes were going to ruin my mediocre fixed income. The crime rate has been going up and everything else was going up and I realized I'd never be able to keep up the charade. I sold my house but unfortunately I'm currently still living in Canada.

[@ltcajh]

@@TS-qd2ujLook at Arkansas, or the southeastern U.S.

Our healthcare here is provincial so, coverages vary. Here in BC, We do NOT pay out of pocket for many specialists. We have an annual eye exam paid for and an annual hearing test. I’ve been to several other specialists and have never had to pay a dime. Also, employer deductions for medical insurance? That is usually just for medications, as there is no cost for anything else, and there are many employers who do not offer that. Those that do, may also have dental coverage, but here in BC, a new program is covering quite a bit of dental through taxes. We do not pay for emergency visits to hospital.

[@bboyda4399]

You are an outright liar! I was born and raised in bc, no free dental, no free eyecare, I've had to pay out of pocket for minor surgeries that the government didn't feel I needed, but I did. Where do you get off, are you trying to con people?

[@ajitk4627]

Thank you for putting things in perspective.

[@keithpalmer4547]

I am from Missoula Montana originally. Now I am in Lethbridge southern Alberta. These cities are comparable in size. Cost of living really varies based on location in the USA. In Missoula Montana my home town rent has gone through the roof with many new people moving in during COVID and there is a relatively large University in town (14,000 students) . But in other Montana cities like Great Falls rent is half or even less. Rent is definitely the #1 variable in cost of living in the USA. Food is very cheap in the USA however so are most consumer goods. The pay working at Taco Bell in Missoula is now like $20 USD an hour because they cannot find enough workers. Here in Lethbridge the pay at fast food is pretty low like $15 CAD hour to start or minimum wage in Alberta. Rent in Lethbridge is still less than Missoula though. Food is much more expensive up here in Canada though as is insurance and cell/internet services. I would also say HEALTH CARE EXPENSES in the USA can be absolutely killer to your health and your bank account as well! Health insurance is insane if you are not actually poor or rich enough to afford it. I have a friend who makes decent money but his monthly insurance for a family of 4 is $1500 just for health insurance! Then add in the BANKRUPTCY from health expenses and the USA sucks to live in if you have any real health issues!

[@parkerbohnn]

Americans seem to have the hypochondriac syndrome when it comes to their health. Over a lifetime you will save close to a million dollars by never taking out Medicare or any healthcare plans. In Canada Canadians have the house insurance on the brain syndrome as its a total waste of money. The entire value of the home is in the land anyway.

[@hugoglenn9741]

Representing rent cost in a college town as indicative of the USA is the dumbest example ever

[@hugoglenn9741]

Before Obamacare mandates my health insurance was $48/mo for 1 person. Hope and change was horrendous

[@Arkiasis]

Food is not cheap in the US at all. Noticed most prices for groceries is 1:1, same with restaurants.

[@byronchavarria4954]

That’s Why Australia 🇦🇺 Does Better Than The United States 🇺🇸 And Canada 🇨🇦

[@sarawilliam696]

I’m in Ohio and the housing market here over the last 7-8 years is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Homes that were bought for $130K in 2015 are now being sold for $590k. I’m talking about tiny, disgusting, poorly built 950 square foot shit boxes in quiet mediocre neighbourhoods. Then you’ve got Better, average sized homes in nicer neighbourhoods that were $300K+ 10 years ago selling for $750k+ now. Wild times.

[@jayeshaw5705]

Lol. A 950 sq condo in Toronto would probably be over 800k and that's not even a new build.

[@parkerbohnn]

@@jayeshaw5705 About $975,00 on average.

[@deschile575]

In Vancouver, the houses were going up $100k every month.... There are no houses under a million left, and I'm talking condemned shed sized houses.

[@patrick39432]

I live in Cincinnati and find it to be a reasonably priced city to live in. I am fortunate to have bought my house in the 1990's so I am on the sweet side of the housing issue. I do feel for the young couples trying to buy their first home.

[@WaningGibbous]

It's happening everywhere in North America.

[@RandalColling]

I have lived in both Calgary and Dallas Texas. Economically speaking.... night and day. Freedom... night and day. Opportunity... night and day. Beauty and nature... day and night. 3-1. Dallas for the win!

[@gilchris]

Freedom? Like guns, huh? Stay in Dallas.

[@mwhite6522]

What kind of freedom do you have in Texas that you don't have in Calgary? The "freedom" to take a gun to the grocery store? The freedom to go bankrupt from medical bills? The freedom to have to drive 700 miles for abortion care? The freedom to be fired without notice so stockholders can make more passive income? The freedom to have your neighbors get a $10,000 reward for telling police you had an abortion in another state?

[@RandalColling]

@@mwhite6522 FREEDOM : Speed limits 75-80 mph. No state income tax. Yes 2nd amendment. Yes1st amendment (the one Canada DOESNT have) Our governor dumped the "mask mandate" "vaccine Mandate" ridiculous lockdowns that Trudoue used to cripple Canada. Health insurance for my family is $2000/mo. But Gasoline is $2.50/gal electricity and natural gas more than make up for extra medical costs. The socialized health system often has 6-12 month waiting for special stuff so Rich Canadians come to the US for fast and top notch doctors/procedures. (Your $10,000 statement likely came from a communist website). I lived in both cities, YOU have not. I even owned a house in SW Calgary... TEXAS is the greatest place in the world. FACT

[@BC-li6zc]

​@gilchris Don't like guns don't buy one.

[@BC-li6zc]

​@@mwhite6522How about constitutionaly protected free speech and the right to private property. Unlike Canada.

[@DanPocketRocket]

Living in Vancouver is expensive and how we survive is by having multigenerational housing. A 2 million dollar 8 bedroom house divided by 3 families becomes more affordable when shared. The housing should have multiple living rooms and kitchens to keep the peace. - I will not respond to any negative comments

[@MakeThatChange]

Thanks for sharing this insight - makes sense and explains a lot.

[@DanPocketRocket]

@@MakeThatChange Thank you for all the insightful videos!

[@MakeThatChange]

thank YOU for watching ☺

[@Stom-Troop]

Vancouver house 2 mil houses are crap, old, built with weak 2x4 chopsticks. Living in a multifam house is not a quality life, but I guess is better than condo that is very flimsy regardless year built.

[@nicktankard1244]

It’s nice for people who have that option. I moved here alone 3 years ago and all I can afford is to rent a tiny studio. And I have a pretty decent income

[@Dak1549]

A lot of the social support statements are a bit misleading because they only apply to low income families. Canadian all-source taxation is so heavy that even if your family is making over 300K (like mine) in a city - it doesn't go very far. We're barely middle class.

[@mannyvb]

Great analysis. Amazing work! Greetings from Vancouver.

[@MakeThatChange]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jtheo1450]

As an American who values stability and actual democracy, I respect Canada from afar. If I was going to move, I would do smaller or mid size cities in southern Ontario.

[@JoeyPhilp]

Family just returned from 8 years of living in Texas - and while the pay is higher, and some costs lower. As a homeowner in the US and in Canada, which was not included in this instance, there are so many "fees" and other costs related to licensing a car for example, or cost of garbage collection, etc, in Texas. Overall, income was just barely higher. Although job opportunities were plentiful, we decided to return to Vancouver Island after deciding that the quality of life in Canada was a more important calculation than we had placed it on our spreadsheet. Maybe for young Canadians, the US is a better option, but for those with kids in school or university, and those heading towards retirement, Canada is the better option in my opinion.

[@nyanelk]

Not accounting for all the high risk that comes with Texas… I know a lot of people that were essentially victims of the privatized power grid, these last few winters where they lose power and their housing wasn’t built to withstand the winter conditions (lots of people died)…. As for Seattle there are a disproportionate number of high earners really throwing off that income median… as a early to mid level hr professional (6 years of hr experience +4 highly relevant staff training experience) with a partner that’s a school teacher(11 years) shy of living in a slum there is nearly no way we could live in Seattle we would be living 1-2 hrs away and commuting…. When I have looked I would be making about 10-20k more a year in Seattle but paying nearly double in housing expense… I do live in a relatively high income tax state, but the sales tax (8.5% on all non food items if I recall) and gas tax isn’t accounted for I don’t believe.

[@bobzotzman5253]

For sure there is roads cops parks, these things don't pay for themselves ask someone in these no state income tax state what their property taxes are.

[@percivalgooglyeyes6178]

Also, there is a lot of value in know that your child isn't going to be slaughtered in a school shooting.

[@markridgley2239]

You came to Canada for health care! Foolish cause there is none here. Only legal drug pushers.

[@maddyinc933]

@@bobzotzman5253 exactly!

[@MyFishAreYourFish]

I live in Edmonton and used to live in Toronto prior. I almost prefer the US health care system even though you need to pay in addition to what your insurance covers. In Canada, even if you have the money to see a health care professional, accessing them is close to impossible.

[@TheBandit7613]

Here in the US my medical is covered by my employer. 100 percent, I pay nothing and there is no wait.

[@dresshabt981]

Excellent analysis and presentation !!

[@MakeThatChange]

Glad you liked it!

[@ManjuSonnappa]

one of the best and finely produced content on youtube,

[@MakeThatChange]

🙏thank you

[@kevinbarnes5185]

Great Great video. There are however, a number of factors that aren't presented...bankruptcies are High in the US compared to Canada for a reason, so it's not as rosy as presented. Education is astronomical in the US compared to Canada. There is a Hugh group below the median income level in the US. Canada does not have that disparity. Way more foreclosures in the US than Canada. So there are hidden issues

[@harry12]

the most brutal yet most factual comparison is Vancouver bc vs Seattle... tons of people travel between these 2 cities/metro areas weekly, and they certainly can see the difference especially in recent years

[@rdefacendis]

Both cities are overrun by the homeless and drug addicted. Seattle's incomes appear higher because of the Amazon impact... a lot of Amazon's tech work is located in Seattle... Vancouver is a leisure class city with its occupants made up of largely wealthy foreigners who spend their time shopping, play golf, or going to the spa.

[@harry12]

@@rdefacendis it's not Seattle's incomes appears to be higher; it's actually higher by all means compared to Vancouver BC, whether it's median or minimum wage rate.

[@bradfrankland4919]

That is not a "factual" comparison. People who have one foot in each country can afford to pick and choose the best of each. They can avoid the worst of each. For example, there is a world of difference between being a part of -- and committed to, living within, or suffering under the institutions of -- a country (or city) and being a tourist. Commuting between countries (cities) lies somewhere between those.

[@karinakrivulina9081]

This is a very well made video, I am a Canadian, from Kelowna BC, single, and am a nurse. I’m currently travel nursing in the states for the purpose of learning how other countries’ health care systems operate, for money, for adventure, and for a new change/lifestyle. Thank you for accurately describing Canada via the maple leaf vs hamburger - I laughed as it is so true ! I’m in Seattle, I make nearly double but I opted out of medical coverage as it is outrageous here. I rarely eat out despite it being such a heavy presence in the American culture, but I do spend in hobbies to excel in them, as the arts and fitness scene is quite high here. I live in a tiny 500sq apartment but rent is very affordable as it is just outside of the city center. Food quality isn’t great but better higher quality foods are more affordable than in Canada. Thank you for making this video as I’m looking to go to the east coast next and this certainly helps me narrow down some states !

[@sdbracht]

Thanks for making this quality video, really appreciate it

[@Acesneights5150]

Great video. I have one suggestion. Put the numbers in a column side by side so it will be easier the see the differences rather than go up and down to see thanks and great job!!

[@MontrealKid628]

It would have been nice to see a comparison of some everyday item purchases - clothing, furniture, and electronics. Pension deductions are now 1% higher due to recent changes. It should be noted that the cad$ has no purchasing power outside canada - you will get killed at the exchange rates when traveling abroad or should you want to invest abroad. I am not certain, but I believe the us pension system is better than that of canada. Lastly, I agree with the OPs. If you're in a stem field, you'll do better financially in the US.

[@MakeThatChange]

thank you for adding your notes, shopping items is an interesting category to look at.

[@User12345fan]

Social security/ and medicare is a form of pension in America and it is mandatory

[@rachelk8368]

You have to leave Canada if you don't own property and or have rent control. I make 6 figures in Calgary Alberta and have seen my future vanish over the past two years with rent increasing and house prices exploding. I plan to work in WA as a healthcare provider next year- no state income tax.

[@sandeeptanjore1253]

There was a time when Calgary's housing (from 2014- 2020) went downhill due to oil sliding down. Did companies there in Calgary rehire all laid off staff so much so that the housing prices have skyrocketed?

[@everydayfun9531]

Planning to move to the states one day for better job opportunities or business opportunities

[@pgbrandon]

@@sandeeptanjore1253 Just wondering if Alberta had some sort of rent controls that the UCP took off like the Progressive Conservatives did in Ontario? I was shocked to learned that a quarter of the houses owned in Ontario are owned by investors. I thought it would be much much small, maybe around 5%.

[@sandeeptanjore1253]

@@pgbrandon I honestly do not know about the rent controls etc., Based on your wording above it appears that investors from ON bought a lot of properties in Calgary due to which the prices went up?

[@RememberingGames]

Did you study in Canada?

[@bhut1571]

Quite a few of the Doctors and Nurses that I have educated have move to the States. The U.S. reaps the benefit of the Canadian tax system. Just the way it is.

[@petervestifrendrup1307]

Great video 🎉

[@MakeThatChange]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patbrennan6572]

The reason Canada's taxes are higher is simple, we have a run a muck health care system that's abused more than a rented mule. They call it free health care for everyone but nothing is free, we just pay through taxes .

[@cloudpoint0]

It must be because of all the unnecessary surgeries Canadians keep requesting. They just aren’t willing to suffer like Americans.

[@afunguynamedkawhi7959]

Canadians live to 82 plus, Americans to 77 and change. Ontario for example, spends $5000 plus cdn on health care for each citizen, Americans spend $11000 USD or three times of Ontarions yet most of them die before their 80 birthday. We don't have free health care, we have public health care. ❤

[@terryrobertson111]

We are getting killed here from every angle not just health care. Fuel, food, housing and energy are all through the roof.

[@TheTimeweaver]

@@afunguynamedkawhi7959 When you factor out car accidents and obesity for both countries, Americans live longer. It's not about the quality of heath care or spending but lifestyle choices.

[@Sinehmatic]

Im no expert but im skeptical that it's that simple. Also no it's not free, but I'd be bankrupt from medical fees in the US. I am not bankrupt from taxes in canada

[@metals1022]

Ontario has a 13% sales tax which is higher than that of most US states and cities. Also, sales during the holidays are WAY better in the USA than in Canada. I spent all of last year researching which TV to get and finally decided on the model nearing the Holiday period. The TV I wanted was discounted down to $3000 CAD + 13% tax, while in the USA it was $1900 USD. Even after conversion the price difference is significant, even more so because most places there have a lower sales tax and no environmental fee.

[@MakeThatChange]

Cost of living in this video is sales tax inclusive.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Great analysis. Best I have seen. As a (now) retired senior exec living in Toronto I have experienced living here and in Boston (USA). I saw very little difference in cost of living. I admit, Boston MA is a very expensive city/state. There was lower income tax, but health insurance and car costs pretty much evened it out. In Boston I was renting and in Toronto I own my home. Without home ownership or universal health care, I felt very exposed in Boston. I felt poor and threatened. I returned to Toronto, bought a house with cash and all of a sudden felt wealthy and secure. To me the US is an amazing place to live if you are rich. Want a super nice experience? There are endless things to spend your money on. Want a SOTA medical procedure immediately? No problem it is all immediately available. But if you get laid off work, your health insurance ceases almost immediately. You likely have a massive mortgage because that is a tax advantage. All of a sudden you are in deep trouble. I went through a lay off while I was in Boston post 9/11. All of a sudden there were entire buildings empty and 100s of Harvard and MIT grads competing for every job. The Iraq war was in full swing and we were all on edge glued to cable news and blood pressure through the roof. I found a job in Toronto and moved back in 2002. WTF? Who turned off the war? Why was everyone happy? Didn't they know the world was about to end? Then I got it. Happy to be back home where it might take months to get that free medial procedure that is not life threatening. And I can complain about income tax while feeling rich and secure.

[@saleemakhtar87]

Good research ❤

[@MakeThatChange]

Glad you liked it!

[@renespani9791]

Thanks!

[@MakeThatChange]

Thank you for your support 🙏🙏

[@camerakatie]

I live in Vancouver and the endless conversation with friends is exactly that, HOW does anyone afford this town. I’ve been here 20 years and the cost of living rise is absolutely absurd. Yes, it feels like everyone must be a millionaire but we know this is not true. It’s just the painful reality that many people are struggling and reconsidering the true “cost” of living here. The flip side is the benefits. Clearly those benefits allow us all to live in blind optimism or simply falling further into debt while marveling at the mountains, the ocean, the clean air and the general concept that the struggle is actually worth it.

[@YouMotorcycle]

Lots of places in the world with vast bodies of water and mountains that cost a fraction as much. If that's what motivated me, I'd go live on Lake Como with the Alps and the lake. A 2 bedroom house is less than half the cost of a Vancouver 1 bedroom condo.

[@Hailmaryy28]

Amazing video! This is exactly the type of comparison i would do if i wanted to crunch the numbers myself. Canadian here make 160k/year but still cant get ahead its ridiculous im ready to move.

[@MrJackassz]

The cost of living everywhere in Canada is high sure some places are cheaper than others but they dont offer clearly the same in geography, weather, accessibility, jobs and so on. To the people saying Canada is big has to realize something majority of Canada isnt very habitable for humans with tundra being alot of our land... which means you will have to ship food to those locations as they dont grow their own food. Hunting and gathering would be strained if you have to many ppl showing up in these locations.

[@Matanumi]

BC is the best and Washington is similar enough

[@chinabank04]

Great content ✅👌

[@alainmona268]

I’ve paid more in Canadian health care than I ever have in American health care (dual citizen). Don’t forget everything comes with a cost. You don’t pay here in Canada but you have to wait 1-3 years to see a doctor literally anywhere. You have the equivalent of opioid OD’s as people dying waiting in emergency rooms in BC.

[@PAL-CAN]

I live in Southern Ontario and my wait time for a doctor's appointment is 1 - 2 weeks.

[@davehope-im6vn]

5 days here for me.. or walk in clinic.. about 1hour or so.. a month for kidney specialist.. 3 weeks for biopsy as the lab work showed an issue but not an emergency issue. ya maybe some things take a bit.. but its unfair to say "canada" as each province runs its health differently.

[@dmv4343]

You have to look at the combination of registered and non-registered daycare providers. My current expenses on the daycare are 1500CAD for 1 child in Ontario. Not every parent gets childcare benefits, only if you make less than the specified amount.

[@MakeThatChange]

thanks for adding this note.

[@davidlefranc6240]

We have some REER here if you put money in it you are able to have up to 30% in taxes return spring time.

[@nickieshadowfaxbrooklyn5192]

Less then how much? Like less the people from the tents?

[@chrisp187]

there is, however, childcare nonrefundable tax credit of $8K for each child under seven, $5K for each child 7-16, and $11k for children with disabilities. You can claim the credits for all your children, even if you are spending the money on one child only. That's not including provincial programs. I've seen people get large refund by claiming these credits.

[@saidibrahim5931]

Childcare is only $10 per day for 1 child, I don't know how is possible $1500

[@carlosandresbenavides5361]

Wow! What a good video ❤

[@MakeThatChange]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@jmccoomber1659]

There is NOT always both a deductable and copay on American medical insurance. Also, many insurance options cover the entire cost of medication prescriptions. Each insurance plan has different coverages and paying more for insurance can reduce or remove deductables and copays. It's by no means a given that insured patients have to pay for every doctor visit, especially if you use a physician within your insurance company's preferred provider network. Typically in the U.S. we trade the ability to choose any doctor for lower costs per visit. Hospital or emergency care is where this really matters, considering a one-night hospital stay and numerous tests/imaging procedures can rack up a $35,000 bill in America and ambulances may charge $2,000 to transport a patient 5 miles, so using an in-network facility is crucial to avoid owing a year's salary for one emergency-room visit!

[@MakeThatChange]

Thanks for the note

[@jmccoomber1659]

@@MakeThatChangeThe for-profit U.S. insurance industry is a convoluted system that even the majority of Americans don't understand, to the peril of their pocketbooks health and lifespan. Overall, you did a great job explaining the differences between the two nations, you obviously did a lot of research to produce this video. Thanks for the great content!

[@MakeThatChange]

Thank you for watching and extra notes 🙏

[@madslug7139]

What a great video! Thank you!

[@MakeThatChange]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@NomadJournalistNews]

Why did you not choose a base currency? Saying that they are similar, while using two different currencies, is highly deceptive. $5,600 CAD = $4,000 USD. It's not even close

[@MakeThatChange]

Because currency fluctuates; you can take those numbers and multiple them by the forex at any point in time and get an accurate number. If you live work and spend in a given currency, currency conversion does not matter - your purchasing power does, which is reflected in the spreadsheet in %. Obviously, if you plan to earn in US and spend in CA or wise versa, then you’ll care about the currency conversion… that does not make sense for my own goals.

[@domoniquestewart85]

Minnesota and Winnipeg have history they were suppose to be Winnipeg. When winnipeg was flooded they moved to Minnesota until it the flood waters went down.

[@ShiaoBao]

First time here.. already love the content! For starters, Vancouver has became outrageously expensive in the last 5 years. Many of my friends get a job in Seattle and are much happier. The lucky ones went as far as San Francisco and LA, however, those places expenses skyrocketed too!

[@matthesagregg5679]

Wow great video, nicely researched! I've just come across this channel and have already subscribed. Great info!

[@MakeThatChange]

Welcome aboard!

[@xariallev.9568]

As somebody who grew up always admiring and envying Canada in the early 00s, it's shocking to see even somewhere like Bulgaria is beating Canada for opportunities in 2024.

[@MakeThatChange]

It also depends on what you mean by " opportunity" - it's different for anyone. If you are lucky to have a dollar paying job, - of course you will love any developing country for its favourable USD exchange rate. But if you come from a developing country, you have way less options to choose from.

[@helisean10]

​@@MakeThatChange the dollar exchange rate is a big overlooked factor. USA is 30% richer abroad than Canadians.. USA has much better buying power for everything.

[@jakewellman8640]

Healthcare is not free eh in Canada. We pay for it indirectly in income tax.

[@NoCluYT]

Taxes that end up being less than what Americans pay for insurance(it usually barely covers a fraction of the cost)

[@jimbarrofficial]

If you bought a home in MA 20 years ago and paid it off, then lost a job with good savings, you can get MA Health (completely free health care across the board). This combined with no mortgage is saving my life right now, given that I have zero income other than interest from savings and investments.

[@bassadelica]

Biggest issue with Seattle which is similar to Vancouver is out of control homelessness and drug related crime (theft, violence).

[@harry12]

well both metro areas have several neighborhoods that are not affected by homelessness or drug related crimes.

[@cambapelao]

it’s more in Seattle now, compared to Vancouver when I visited both cities in 2023

[@bassadelica]

@@harry12 So do LA, Portland and San Fransisco. That's not my point

[@katieadams3837]

I agree. We moved to Seattle proper from downtown Calgary and I miss how safe I felt there.

[@Peglegkickboxer]

@@katieadams3837 Calgary is a bad comparison. The 7 month winter drives all the homeless away.

[@DLFfitness1]

It really depends on your income bracket. These numbers seem to focus on the upper middle class. In the United States, most people are working class. They are not living a charmed life, as many struggle for the basics.

[@MakeThatChange]

These are median household incomes according to census.

[@elyas-tavakkoli]

کانال یوتیوب شما با اختلاف یکی از بهترین هاهست ، احسنت به پشتکار شما مهندس عزیز -- لطفا همیشه ما رو از دانش و تجربه ارزشمندتون بهرمند بفرمایید 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍♥♥♥♥

[@BrianMolstad]

I lived in Alberta for one year in 1994-5 and loved it. That was then. The US had more variety in states than Canada does in provinces. Some states like California have little to offer > climate. Other states like TX, FL and TN are not leftist madhouses and quite nice.

[@mwhite6522]

No matter how you compare, one thing Canadians never have to worry about is being bankrupted by medical bills. 40% of personal bankruptcies in the US are caused solely by medical bills.

[@anna-gt2mu]

Q

[@dragonofparadise]

As a American, Canada is MUCH MUCH better. I 100% choose Canada every time.

[@thebigleone1066]

I lived in both countries. The U.S. medical system is much much better, but you need to make sure you have good health insurance.

[@rdefacendis]

Has this presenter even visited Vancouver? Vancouver is a leisure class city occupied by wealthy foreigners who don't work. Its real estate is owned exclusively by investors and foreigners looking to park their money offshore. No one who works in Vancouver, lives in Vancouver. Workers all commute hours by train/bus at the end of the day to reach their modest rental homes in far flung locations such a Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley and South Surrey. If you want to compare Vancouver to a city... think Monaco, Luxembourg or Singapore who rely on foreign workers housed in barracks, to keep the city running.

[@cambapelao]

Singapore is heaven compared to any city in the U.S……….

[@leonchen89]

Totally true. People in Vancouver don’t work. I lived in Richmond for 2 years. Night and day different between Vancouver and other Canadian cities.

[@rosemarie9956]

Sad but true

[@FeydHarkon666]

literally alot of sugar babies there from Russia or East Europe... sketchy city

[@parkerbohnn]

I live in Markham and its the same here no one works.

[@nickstoness6474]

Also in Canada you don’t have the option to opt out of social programs but having them helps so many people who would have no choice to opt out. Intern it allows for less crime, poverty, diseases, and mental stress. Not every thing is perfect with our social programs but they are far more beneficial than people realize but it doesn’t stop people from wanting that slight tax break instead.

[@skyecloud968]

let’s be real: crime hasn’t significantly decreased, and we still face major issues with mental health and drug addiction, including the opioid crisis. While we might not have school shootings on the same scale as the U.S., that doesn’t mean we’re free from serious problems. The cost of living continues to rise, and many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet despite these social programs. It’s important to acknowledge that these systems aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution and that many of us are feeling the strain of these challenges every day.

[@jonmacist]

There still is a huge difference a US dollar is a dollar a Canadian dollar is 75 cents its not really even a dollar earned.

[@terrymockler]

I would compare Montreal with Chicago. They are both rail hubs. And Toronto with Boston. Each is a government seat, multiversity, and regional commerce hub, especially insurance.

[@nicktankard1244]

I survive in Vancouver by working in tech and living in a tiny studio apartment . I see no future here. Even if you get a really nice job here which could be up to 150k(could be more but that’s rare and very hard) it’s still not enough to buy even a decent 2 bed condo. And everything else is so freaking expensive here. But it’s the only city in Canada that is a decent size, has mild weather and fairly walkable. I don’t see myself living anywhere else in Canada.

[@harry12]

why don't you move to Seattle?

[@nicktankard1244]

@@harry12because I can’t right now. I’m kinda stuck in Canada. Maybe in 4 years or so. But do probably go farther south. I want warm climate. I used Seattle just because it’s so close to Vancouver

[@nickieshadowfaxbrooklyn5192]

I make mid 6digits in tech. Wife works full time as well. It’s not enough to afford even FOOD, what’s the talk even about??? No eating out, no vacations for years. It’s just fffng nonsense what’s happened to Canada. Absolutely no future.

[@parkerbohnn]

I'd move to White Rock but I'm looking to move to Monte Carlo.

[@ninjaweretiger4273]

Many from Vancouver came to my city outside of Edmonton. Way, way cheaper here.

[@crjekp4835]

The main reason 200k Canadians moved to the USA is increased immigration from India and such countries to Canada, as they think Canada is just a temporary place to get Canadian citizenship, which can help them to get a TN visa in the USA.

[@MakeThatChange]

Do you really believe a mere dislike for a certain nationality is enough for people to drop everything, change their life and move to a new country? Sounds a bit impulsive...

[@pghirin1124]

@@MakeThatChangeI think they mean that a lot of those new Canadians go to the US themselves as soon as they get canadian citizenship. I personally know a few people that have done it or plan to do it. Not sure if that’s playing a significant role in driving up the number though, statistically speaking. It would be interesting to see data on this

[@nicktankard1244]

@@pghirin1124yep exactly. I might do the same in the future 😅 I’m from Europe though. I kinda regret coming to Canada. It has good reputation but the reality does not match that anymore. Once I get Canadian citizenship it will be easier to move to the US that’s for sure.

[@crjekp4835]

My friend studied in a group of 100 students at an average University; 99 of the students were international students, 60-70 were from India, and others were from Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. Most of them said they came here to get their papers and not to study; most of them cheated in school and did group work when there were individual tasks. All of them got their diplomas. They also dreamed of coming to the USA, but their options there are very limited. There is no open immigration program, only an H1B visa, which lets in about 60-80 thousands people a year + you need to win a lottery, while there is no restriction on a TN visa; only citizenship and Job Offer required, and education/work experience, which they gain in Canada and their home countries.

[@Samuel-q1k]

You seem to be living in a delusion. I am a white Canadian (Now American as well) born and raised in Canada. Moved to USA for my PhD in Computer vision/machine learning in 2013. In my company itself, there are many white Canadian who moved to USA for good. Canada has nothing to offer for tech workers. Low quality research and tech jobs, mediocre salaries and exponential cost of living. We cannot even manufacture our military equipment and cars, and use American planes and Ford cars for our police. I moved to Ottawa in 2023 to be closer to family and within 6 months I was back in the US.

[@ArchanaTikayatRay19]

You have skipped the Social security and medicare tax. These 2 add up to 7.65% on top of income tax in the US (with very few exceptions).

[@MakeThatChange]

Noted.

[@parkerbohnn]

Social Security pays triple what old age pension pays in Canada and the clawback is about 5 times higher in America meaning you can make $500,000 a year wihout getting clawed back. Here its a poor man's 90 grand a year.

[@DennisWintjes2]

Thanks for sharing. Yes home buying! Like 3.5K+. I would like to see retirement/family costs where home ownership is included.

[@california7071]

Great breakdown

[@MakeThatChange]

thank you!

[@katieadams3837]

We moved from Calgary to Seattle last year and 100% these calculations are correct! Other than daycare, I don't know about that because we are DINKs. I did these same calculations (Vancouver vs Seattle and then compared it to our Calgary income/expenses) and found Vancouver was completely unaffordable (and agreed i have no idea how people live there) and Seattle was very affordable, and we are able to save about 50% after bills and living expenses without having to count pennies. However, we live in Seattle proper and I don't feel as safe as I did in Calgary. I miss that.

[@katieadams3837]

Also, I haven't researched the data yet, but when we were looking at places to rent a year ago, I got the impression that the Seattle rental market was oversaturated. In the pandemic, a lot of people bought rental properties with low low interest rates (and those rates do not change for the entire length of your mortgage in the US, unlike Canada where the rate is good for only 5 years), and at the same time many people were able to move away from Seattle to lower cost cities like Spokane and Boise because of remote work (these cities are booming with new residents). So coming here in 2023, I had landlords calling me back after showings asking if I was still interested and lowering rent prices. Seattle landlords got a double whammy, more inventory on the market and less renters.

[@harry12]

@@katieadams3837 when I tell my Seattle friends the median household income of Vancouver/lower mainland, they always think I am joking. After they realize I’m not, they fell really bad for average people there.

[@katieadams3837]

@@harry12 right?? The housing vs income is so lopsided in Vancouver

[@jemma_19988]

The high cost of living, high cost of housing, wage stagnation, increasing poverty, strain on healthcare, schools/infrastructure and homelessness and the fact that nearly half of Canadians have less then 5000 dollars in savings, is due to mass immigration of low wage/low skill migrants from developing nations!!! Many may deny this fact but I know this is true because the same is happening in Australia and New Zealand which is where I live. It is striking how all three have over the last decade or so allowed massive inflows of essentially poorer people who are happy to work for less. It is also striking how in the same time period all three have seen an increase in poverty, unaffordable housing, sky high food prices, infrastructure failing, school shortages, massive strain on healthcare and a general decrease in the quality of life for Canadian/Australian/New Zealand people. It is obvious that immigration helps employers with a pool of cheap labor, but harms everyone else. Despite this our leaders continue to tout mass low wage/low skill immigration as some kind of economic miracle!! Also all three nations in the same period have seen an alarming drop in productivity, innovation. For a good standard of living first and foremost people need to earn a wage relative to the cost of a home in their region (the world bank uses a ratio a home being 3 x what someone earns) they need good access to healthcare without a waiting list!! access to good schooling, etc High immigration does not result in any of these factors being attainable Lastly all three nations have slid down in corruption free index. New Zealand was at the top until recently. India ranks in the 90's, China in the 70's and Philippines in the 100's out of 180 nations !! If you value being a nation of little corruption why would you invite so many people from countries where corruption is a way of life ??

[@keithpalmer4547]

If half of Canadians have $5000 in savings they are well ahead of the average American. For many years the average American could not afford to pay for a relatively small $500 emergency expense.

[@parkerbohnn]

The figure is two hundred dollars, half of Canadians don't have 200 dollars in savings.

[@parkerbohnn]

developing nations = third world countries

[@XandateOfHeaven]

@@jemma_19988 It's not due to mass immigration, that's an oversimplification of a problem that has been building for years. The large spike in immigration was only in recently, but more significantly population growth was faster in the 1950s and 1960s. The housing crisis has been well over 15 years in the making. First of all interest rates were too low for too long after the recession, this means the price of housing went up because the cost to borrow went down. Secondly, Canada's two most important housing markets Toronto and Vancouver have both naturally and artificially restricted supply through zoning laws, and the fact Toronto has the green belt, and Vancouver is surrounded on three sides by mountains, the sea, and the US border. Third, GDP went down significantly in 2014 because the Ukrainian war and oil price war between Russia and OPEC that caused our oil dependent economy to suffer, this had a similar impact on many countries. Now development fees at the provincial and local level have gone up significantly at a time when interest rates are making construction loans harder to come by. Plus the fact Chinese and Russian capital flight into Canadian housing, and domestic investment into housing meant that a lot of what was being built was one bedroom condos, because that's what investors want, and not multi-room homes for families which is what the public wants. Immigration is a factor by increasing demand, but again, this has been a problem for well over a decade and without every other factor would have been a non-issue because the market would be able to account for population growth rate of 1% which is not unprecedented. Eliminating immigration would not meaningfully lower housing costs in the short term until the population started to shrink. The impact would not be nearly as significant as eliminating development fees, relaxing zoning laws, and subsidizing construction loans. Politicians want you to believe there is an easy solution because that's easier to market than telling the truth that solving the housing crisis will require massive reforms at all levels of government, take years to solve, and will be bad for people dependent on home equity. Politicians are good at short uncomplicated talking points, not real long term solutions.

[@helisean10]

​@@XandateOfHeaven mass immigration is the biggest problem in Canada now. We are slowly becoming a 3rd world country by allowing far too many poor people in who are willing to work for less.

[@cletusvandamme6262]

American here. You left out ONE very important metric: CRIME RATE. Compared to the U.S., Canada seems to have virtually little to no crime! That is a very important consideration, in my opinion. It does affect your quality of life to an extent.

[@briangunn21]

Wrong. It is getting much worse in canada. Go to any downtown. It is like a third world country

[@ep9203]

Lots of violence and petty crime here dude.. this isn't a fairy tail land.. Google main and Hastings in Vancouver.

[@Krytzum]

​@@briangunn21I live in Vancouver and the downtown east side is a very sad place. But looking at poverty downtown doesn't allow us to conclude that Canada as a whole has more crime than the US. We have to look at statistics. Do they confirm your view that Canada has more crime?

[@Pete0126]

Canada has a huge car theft problem going completely ignored, but a regular city in canada will deifnatley be more 'safe' in a walkable sense compared to US alternatives

[@jakearsenta2144]

FALSE!!!! USA is far safer than Canada. Canada looks like a war zone.

[@pratapkp6139]

My observation having lived in seattle sf and toronto is that places of obscene wealth are much less social than places where salaries are lower. People tend to be more social and in general immigrants feel more at home in canada. US on the other hand would never make me feel like im at home

[@juanfernandotiradouribe6146]

Great video, full of valuable insights in a very neutral and well supported perspective! Thank you!

[@MakeThatChange]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JeanStAubin-nl9uo]

Nice report. I would like you to do a report on home buying. Thanks!

[@MakeThatChange]

Thank you! Noted.

[@911___________DIVOC]

Because there aren't already a million such videos on KZbin.

[@boxerfit-fitnesspersonaltr6151]

I live in Vancouver and most of my earnings go toward housing and food with very little left over for entertainment or savings at the end of the month.

[@gilchris]

So, like, move somewhere else, then.

[@audiohqu]

​​@@gilchrisI moved from Vancouver for the same reason and people either make fun of me for leaving or just don't understand why I would leave such a beautiful city. The numbers just simply don't work for what you get. Takes two people to buy 500 square feet at half a million at least, usually upwards of 600-700k

[@kerbyzimmerman5662]

You look at this from a Canadian perspective - ie the average is fairly accurate as most people are close to the average. I suspect if you truly analyze the US, you will find a bi-polar average, with a peak for the higher income within a city and a peak for the lower end within a city, while in canada, it will be much closer to a single , typical distribution pattern. Moving from Canada to the US, the biggest adjustment is to the fact there is a huge disparity between 'high end' and 'low end' everything (groceries, insurance, healthcare, etc). You mention health care - for the lower peak income class in the US, you are accurate, but for the high end (professionals - engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc), the level of healthcare is unbelievably great - with no copay, etc. The level of care is astounding - my boss went in for a annual check up, saw a blob on the Xray, had a biopsy, met with a specialist and had a treatment plan THE SAME DAY!. We saw the same thing having a baby, where the ultrasound is part of the monthly check up, as the ultrasound was wheeled into the room, with the doctor and ultrasound tech collaborating real-time, and unbelievable care. Soooo, my word to people of Canada vs US - if you are an 'average person', you will typically have a better 'average life' in canada. If you excel in any way, your life in the US will be considerably better.

[@MakeThatChange]

Great summary

[@parkerbohnn]

Canada is the better of the two if you're lazy and won't work or just want to live off of welfare and have children to get huge tax credits. If you have any money Canada is the wrong country to live in.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

I'll take average any day

[@patty109109]

Being on the very low end of the spectrum, you’re gonna be better off in Canada in my opinion. If you’re decently wealthy quality of life is better in the USA. It was over a decade ago, but I went to specialist one day presenting with a knee pain from running. This was not an urgent issue as I was fully ambulatory and basically it was just an issue only brought on if I wanted to keep running. I had an MRI *that day*. I have a sibling in Canada and despite family history his GP cannot short track him for a colonoscopy. He’s considering coming here and paying out of pocket.

[@Sparkle_Wizard]

Living in Vancouver and we are barely surviving. There are elderly residents being kicked out of the rentals ir care homes on a weekly basis. A lot of the home prices have been driven up by multiple factors most glaring is foreign buyers and current homeowners buying additional houses in a very bare market

[@daviddurango840]

The thing about Vancouver is that all the data you have is mostly only for the 600,000 people that live in the city proper. The other 2 million people that live in Metro Vancouver have lower rent at least. I live in Port Coquitlam (metro Vancouver) and my rent is about 40% lower here. The actual city of Vancouver is a total outlier even within its own metropolitan area when it comes to rent and ownership of housing.

[@alainrouleau]

Pretty sure total deductions on income in the U.S. are more than 16%? Chicago, for example, state tax is around 5%, plus 7.65% (Social Security/Medicare, twice for self-employment since you pay the employers part, plus Federal tax, etc. Don't forget governments in the U.S. get their money in all sorts of ways. Chicago, for example, has a state/county/city sales tax of 10.25%? Plus property taxes can be very high, like $5K to $8K a year. Never mind the costs in the U.S. that is related to anything insurance, education, pharmaceuticals, etc. Lots of co-pays and high deductibles. For example, $5K deductibles for healthcare are commonplace. Which means you pay the first $5K of the bill. Homeowners or even tenant insurance can be crazy or not even available like in Florida. Which is why so many Americans declare bankruptcy, take years to pay off student loans, live paycheque-to-paycheque, and lined up in the thousands for food during the pandemic. All sorts of factors when comparing Canada and the United States, that's for sure.

[@epermute]

This was my point. There are lots of hidden costs in the US.

[@TheTimeweaver]

Sudan is a very egalitarian country, which had a per capita income of around $1,200 per year for the vast majority of it's population.

[@parkerbohnn]

They're doing ok considering not that long ago they were all slaves.

[@ChrisM-tn3hx]

Too bad you didn't include any examples from the Maritime provinces, where we're significantly worse off than the rest of the country. Provinces from Quebec westward have a lot better income than we do, but our housing and cost of living expenses are just as high, and jobs harder to come by.

[@MakeThatChange]

Sounds like we need another video to mention the rest of the major cities we missed! Stay tuned.

[@anything3009]

Yeah I’m from Saint John, New Brunswick we are a poverty Provence hands down we pay more taxes then the rest of the country in Canada like it’s nearly triple, with the housing costs raised we have container villages and tent villages rents for single bachelor is $2,000/ mo that’s not including if you even have a vehicle that expense your living pay check to pay check, didn’t even hit the inflation of food yet were that $10.00 hotdogs are consider a steak here it’s just sicking and unbelievable the condition this Province is in.

[@ChrisM-tn3hx]

@@anything3009 I lived in Saint John for several years. When I moved there, I put in a request for a family doctor. 8 years later, I finally got notified there was one available. three weeks before I was about to move away again. Good times in the Maritimes :/

[@anything3009]

@@ChrisM-tn3hx that sounds about right I had to wait 13 years for a family doctor, ha ha ha goes with the saying! It takes almost 6 hours in emergency room to get to see a nurse now

[@parkerbohnn]

No one lives there everyone lives in Ontario and British Columbia where the cost of livling is at l;east double that of the cost of llving in meifca

[@kimc555]

Vancouver - ppl just don’t go out as much.

[@ep9203]

Please do home buying.. It will be a drastic difference

[@DaniSarfati]

Interesting video. I moved from Windsor to Detroit due to my job. I think this is a very interesting geographical location to compare, since they are right across from each other. Now that I live in the US, I have noticed a number of things, also you excluded car ownership costs from your overall numbers, which is a requirement for most places in the US (possibly none of the cities you compared though). Cheaper in USA: - Most non-food goods (think of TVs, Furniture, other electronics, home goods, etc etc) - Dental insurance; while it's not usually covered as part of your main health care, most dental insurance copays are $0 unless you are having major dental work (in Canada I was paying 20% as a copay) - Gas* (Gas prices are also subsidized by USA Government, just so you know) - Cars - Clothes Other notes: You mentioned taxes, however some places have city taxes in the USA. I'm not sure if any of the cities you mentioned have city income tax, but that is something to consider. Things I miss from Canada: - Olympic Kreme Yogurt - Nature Path Cereal (not as easily available in Canada) - Canadian chocolate bars (US chocolate has a very low %age of chocolate in it compared to Canada) - Ontario sushi restaurants are generally cheaper / better quality than the ones in the Metro Detroit area Also, house purchasing is much cheaper in the US, and especially in the metro Detroit area vs Windsor.

[@MakeThatChange]

Thank you for sharing these valuable insights, Dani. Couldn't agree more on the chocolate bars Canada vs US. 😐

[@Timeless1976]

Hell you're in Detroit. Just visit Canada once every couple months and stock up on what you want from Canada.

[@pgbrandon]

What about health insurance or do you get it through your employer? A distant cousin in the US told me they were paying over $20k a year for insurance with co-pays and deductibles.

[@DaniSarfati]

@@Timeless1976 I'm in Canada twice a month at least, and yes I stock up on my stuff there :)

[@DaniSarfati]

@@pgbrandon I get health insurance through my employer. There are different options but the whole thing is pretty strange. I'm on the High Deductible Health Plan which decreases my monthly premiums (they are about $250 a month, down from about $400 a month when I was on the regular deductible). I'm not sure how much the company is saving me, but I understand that having a non-employer health plan might cost somewhere between $700-$900 a month. Along with the premiums, I'm also contributing to a health savings account (spend can go directly towards health costs but can also be used as an investment account ???? it saves a little bit of taxes as well) I've gone to the doctor a couple of times this year and had to get some advanced diagnostics done, one thing that is interesting, since this is a for profit system, people get referred to diagnostics much more frequently than in Canada. "Better safe than sorry" is the perspective here. Either way, I think my total health cost spend this year is probably about $3000 so far (projecting about $4000 by the end of the year) so it is significantly more. Hope this answers some of your question, also it's important to keep in mind health is separate from vision, dental, etc etc...