This is part of a long-running disagreement between North America’s two major nations. Both Canada and the United States have societies who believe their own country is the better place to live. In general, neither country lacks a complete understanding of what the other has to give. So, which country is better: Canada or the US?
TAKEAWAYS IMPORTANT
- The United States and Canada are two North American countries with many similarities and significant differences.
- Despite the fact that the United States has a far greater GDP than its northern neighbor, the average income per capita in both countries is identical.
- While residents in the United States pay higher taxes, Canada provides better social benefits.
- In Canada, the cost of attending university and the cost of healthcare are often lower.
Economics
The gross domestic product (GDP) of Canada in 2019 was $1.73 trillion, whereas the GDP of the United States was $21.4 trillion.
While the United States is a considerably larger economic superpower, citizens’ incomes are much more tightly linked. The median family income in the United States is $68,703, according to the United States Census Bureau. The median income in Canada in 2019 was $62,900.
Taxes can be a significant distinction between the two countries. Individual income tax bands in the United States range from 10% to 37 percent, whereas tax rates in Canada range from 15% to 33%. Singles earning more than $40,526 per year in the United States pay 22 percent in taxes, but singles earning less than $49,020 in Canada pay only 15%.
The cost of living in America is higher than in Canada, according to the website numbeo.com. According to the Numbeo Cost of Living Index, consumer costs in Toronto are about 24.05 percent lower than in New York City, and the cost of renting an apartment in Toronto is roughly half that of renting an apartment in New York. This index takes into account rent, groceries, restaurant pricing, and local purchases, all of which are greater in the United States ($ in USD).
Benefits for Families
Parents’ financial needs for spending time with their children are substantial. What kind of help does each country provide for new mothers and fathers?
Canada
Canada has enacted legislation requiring paid time off and benefits. This is supported by the government through provincial employment insurance. Both mothers and fathers are welcome to participate in the program. Benefits might be as high as $595 per week.
The United States of America
In this regard, the United States is less forward-thinking. The Family and Medical Leave Act in the United States provides some assistance (FMLA). The FMLA allows for a maximum of 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Individual states have their own laws as well.
Healthcare
The United States has the world’s highest healthcare costs. Individuals should expect to pay about $11,172 per year per capita. 9 In comparison, Canadians earn an average of $7,064 each year.
Education
University can be another significant financial outlay in a person’s life, with many students graduating with significant debt. The United States ranks first on the list of countries with the most costly university costs, followed by Canada in fourth place. In the United States, the average yearly tuition at a rated in-state public college is $9,687, whereas the average annual tuition at a private institution is $35,087.
Undergraduate tuition, fees, lodging, and board were predicted to be $17,797 at public colleges, $46,014 at private nonprofit institutions, and $26,261 at private for-profit institutions, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
The average annual tuition at a public college in Canada was $6,580 Canadian dollars in 2020-2021.
Many citizens of Montreal, Canada’s largest city, are multilingual, speaking both French and English. According to the 2016 Census of Canada, 20% of Canadians declare French as their first language.
Climate Change and Cultural Diversity
Because the United States and Canada are huge countries that stretch from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean coasts, the climate and culture of each state and province differ substantially. Because it is closer to the equator, the United States is more densely populated and warmer than Canada.
Is it possible for a US citizen to live in Canada?
You may keep your U.S. passport while living up north if you apply for the correct form of citizenship—whether as a skilled worker, student, or unskilled worker.
Is it less expensive to live in Canada or the United States?
Overall, living in a big city in Canada is less expensive than in the United States. Of course, this is dependent on the city you are considering as well as your tax bracket.
Final Thoughts
Because the United States is a more powerful global superpower, Americans may expect to pay more in almost every facet of life. Annual salaries in the United States and Canada are largely comparable. However, taxes in the United States are said to be lower, giving Americans a modest take-home pay edge
Canadians have a little stronger government-mandated family program, with more government financing for maternity leave through employment insurance schemes. Canadians can also pay lower healthcare expenditures. Furthermore, educational university expenditures are lower (on average) in Canada, which may be a final draw for many citizens considering long-term family planning.
