With the cost of living in Canada climbing higher in 2025, more Canadians are examining their paychecks to see if their wages are keeping up with rising expenses.

From surging housing prices to escalating grocery bills, transportation costs, and daily necessities, financial pressure continues to mount.

Understanding how your income compares to the national and provincial averages can provide valuable insight into your financial standing and help you plan for the future.

According to the latest Statistics Canada figures, the average weekly earnings across the country rose to $1,302 in June 2025, representing a 3.7% year-over-year increase. This follows a 3.3% rise in May and a modest 0.7% month-to-month gain.

The challenge? While wages are inching upward, so is the cost of living—and depending on where you live, your paycheck may not stretch as far.

This guide breaks down average salaries across all provinces and territories, highlights how they compare to local living costs, and helps you gauge whether your income is above or below your region’s average.

 

Canada’s Salary Landscape: The Big Picture

As of mid-2025, the average Canadian worker earns about $67,704 annually (based on $1,302 weekly).

The growth reflects a mix of rising wages, industry shifts, and steady working hours. But regional differences are stark: while some provinces and territories boast high salaries, local costs often eat away at take-home value.

For example, Toronto and Vancouver workers may earn more, but sky-high housing costs offset the benefit. Meanwhile, provinces like New Brunswick and PEI have lower wages but more affordable lifestyles.

 

Territories: High Pay, High Living Costs

Canada’s northern territories lead in wages, but costs are equally steep.

• Nunavut – $1,762.13 weekly ($91,631 annually) – up 6.2%.
  
  
• Northwest Territories – $1,737.69 weekly ($90,360 annually) – up 0.3%.
• Yukon – $1,499.51 weekly ($77,975 annually) – up 3.7%.

Remote locations drive higher wages, but the extreme costs of groceries, housing, and essentials mean financial comfort can still be elusive.

 

Western Canada: Resource Economies and Urban Growth

• Alberta – $1,369.72 weekly ($71,225 annually), +2.8%. Oil, gas, and energy keep wages strong, though Calgary and Edmonton housing costs are climbing.
  
  
• British Columbia – $1,304.22 weekly ($67,819 annually), +2.6%. Vancouver’s high rents—often above $2,500 for a one-bedroom—limit financial freedom.
• Saskatchewan – $1,264.31 weekly ($65,744 annually), +3.7%. Lower housing costs make salaries stretch further.
  
  
• Manitoba – $1,170.07 weekly ($60,844 annually), +2.3%. Affordable housing in Winnipeg offers better value despite lower pay.

 

Central Canada: Economic Powerhouses

 

• Ontario – $1,334.55 weekly ($69,397 annually), +3.5%. Strong salaries, but Toronto’s real estate market—$2,500 monthly rent and $1.1M average home prices—makes living expensive.
  
  
• Quebec – $1,258.30 weekly ($65,432 annually), +5.1%. Competitive wages plus more affordable housing in cities like Montreal make Quebec attractive.

 

Atlantic Canada: Lower Wages, Lower Costs

 

• Newfoundland and Labrador – $1,270.69 weekly ($66,076 annually), +2.9%. Oil and fishing industries support higher-than-average pay with moderate costs.
  
  
• New Brunswick – $1,194.63 weekly ($62,121 annually), +5.4%. Affordable housing makes paychecks stretch further.
  
  
• Nova Scotia – $1,147.28 weekly ($59,659 annually), +2.8%. Lower wages but manageable costs outside Halifax.
  
  
• Prince Edward Island – $1,144.78 weekly ($59,529 annually), +7.9%. Lowest salaries in Canada, but strong wage growth and affordability balance things out.

 

How Does Your Pay Compare?

 

With a national average of $67,704 annually, Canadians earning above their provincial average may be financially secure—especially in lower-cost regions like New Brunswick or Manitoba.

But in Toronto or Vancouver, even salaries well above average can feel stretched due to rent, mortgages, and everyday costs.

 

For instance:

• In Ontario, the average salary of $69,397 doesn’t go far in Toronto’s market.
  
  
• In PEI, earning just $59,529 may actually afford a more comfortable lifestyle.

 

Cost of Living: The Hidden Factor

Salaries alone don’t tell the full story.

 

• Canada’s overall cost-of-living index sits at 58.7 (41% cheaper than NYC).
  
  
• Toronto & Vancouver remain the most expensive cities, with single monthly costs between $3,000–$3,500 and family expenses reaching $5,800–$7,500.

 

• Smaller provinces like New Brunswick and Newfoundland are much cheaper, with single-person monthly costs as low as $2,000–$2,800.
  
  

Housing remains the biggest differentiator, followed by groceries and utilities, which are especially expensive in the North.

 

Bottom Line: Is Your Salary Keeping Up?

In 2025, the average Canadian salary is rising steadily, but whether it feels like enough depends heavily on where you live.

 

• Highest salaries: Nunavut ($91,631).

• Lowest salaries: PEI ($59,529).
  
  

• National average: $67,704.

 

If your earnings fall above your provincial average—and you live in a region with lower costs—you may be in a strong financial position.

But in high-cost hubs like Toronto and Vancouver, even higher wages may not guarantee comfort.

Use these benchmarks to evaluate your pay, explore new opportunities, and plan smarter for Canada’s shifting economic reality.