Move to Canada
3 cities, one country, zero sugar-coating. Residency paths, real costs, and whether the government will leave you alone.
Canada at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
3 years
to permanent residency
4 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires CLB 4 English or French and a citizenship knowledge test.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Spouse of high-skilled worker (TEER 0–1) eligible for open work permit — can work for any employer.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Canada
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
Montreal
77/100Vancouver
74/100Toronto
73/100Compare cities in Canada
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$1,925
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 3 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$64,610
GDP per capita
26.5%
Corporate tax
6.9%
Unemployment
2.4%
Inflation
Moderate inequality — some neighborhoods will feel like different countries.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
8.69/10
🏛️ Full democracy
97
/100Freedom House score
#14 of 163
Global Peace Index
#21
Press freedom rank
Is Canada safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Fine. Know your neighborhoods and don't be an idiot at 3am.
Safest tracked city: Montreal (2.3 per 100k)
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
English
Primary language
Very High
English proficiency (#3 globally)
English is the main language. One fewer excuse not to move.
❓ Moving to Canada — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Canada?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Montreal ranks #1 in Canada with a score of 77/100. City-centre rent starts around $1309/month.
How much does it cost to live in Canada?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $1309 to $1925/month across our 3 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $2,495.
How do I get permanent residency in Canada?▾
The path to permanent residency in Canada typically takes 3 years. Citizenship is possible after 4 years. Note: Requires CLB 4 English or French and a citizenship knowledge test.
Is Canada a democracy?▾
Canada scores 8.69/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Full democracy." It ranks #14 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is Canada safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Canada is 2.3 per 100,000 people. That's within the normal range for developed countries.