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Side-by-side analysis of your shortlisted locations using live aggregated data from the World Bank and Open-Meteo.
Visualizing 2 destinations across all core metrics. How we score →
Each line is a country. Crossing lines reveal trade-offs between dimensions.
Compare 5-year wealth accumulation across all countries vs. staying home (US)
Compare salary, tax burden, and 5-year savings trajectory across countries
🇺🇸 United States offers the highest 5-year savings potential of $443,732 as a software engineer — factoring in salary, taxes, and cost of living.
How far does your budget stretch in each country?
🇨🇦 Canada gives you $1,800/mo surplus at 2.5x purchasing power — enough for luxury living living.
| Category | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $1,500~US | $1,200-20% |
| Groceries | $600~US | $480-20% |
| Dining Out | $400~US | $300-25% |
| Transport | $200~US | $120-40% |
| Utilities | $180~US | $117-35% |
| Internet | $70~US | $46-34% |
| Healthcare | $250~US | $38-85% |
| Monthly Total | $3,200 | $2,301 |
Estimates based on single person, moderate lifestyle. Actual costs vary by city and personal spending.
| Category | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Rent — Studio (City Centre) | $1,400 | $1,200 |
| Rent — 1 Bedroom (City Centre) | $1,700 | $1,500 |
| Rent — 3 Bedroom (City Centre) | $3,200 | $2,800 |
| Groceries (Monthly) | $450 | $400 |
| Public Transport Pass | $100 | $100 |
| Utilities (Elec, Water, Internet) | $250 | $200 |
| Mid-Range Meal for 2 | $65 | $55 |
| Cappuccino | $5.00 | $4.20 |
| Gym Membership (Monthly) | $50 | $45 |
| Mobile Data Plan (Monthly) | $50 | $50 |
| Total Monthly Budget | $3,200/mo~US baseline | $2,800/mo-12% vs US |
Estimates based on a single person, comfortable lifestyle in city centres. Actual costs vary by neighbourhood and personal spending. Data reflects 2024 averages.
Progressive tax calculations across 2 countries
Tax calculations use simplified progressive bracket models for informational purposes only. Actual obligations depend on residency status, tax treaties, deductions, and individual circumstances. US citizens owe US taxes worldwide but can use FEIE ($126K exclusion) and Foreign Tax Credits. Consult a qualified international tax advisor before making relocation decisions.
| Metric | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Rent – Studio | $1,200/mo | $1,100/mo |
| Rent – 1BR | $1,500/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Rent – 3BR | $2,600/mo | $2,400/mo |
| Buy Price/m² | $3,800 | $5,200 |
| Rental Yield | 4.8% | 3.5% |
| Price/Income Ratio | 8.5x | 13.0x |
| Market Trend | Stable | Cooling |
| Expat Areas | Austin East SideMiami BrickellDenver LoDo | Toronto YorkvilleVancouver KitsilanoMontreal Plateau |
| Rent vs Buy | Buy where prices are moderate; rent in high-cost metros | Rent in Toronto/Vancouver; buy in mid-size cities for value |
Housing data is based on World Bank, local market reports, and public property indices (2024 averages). Prices reflect city-centre estimates and vary by neighbourhood.
Visa pathways, document requirements & eligibility
| Category | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 3 options | 2 options |
| Investment | 1 option | 1 option |
| Student | 1 option | 1 option |
| Family | 1 option | 1 option |
| Total Available | 6 visas | 5 visas |
Visa requirements, processing times, and costs are approximate and subject to change without notice. Immigration laws vary by nationality, personal circumstances, and geopolitical conditions. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney or the relevant consulate before making visa or relocation decisions.
| Requirement | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille Convention | ||
| Translation Language | English | English or French |
| Biometrics Required | ||
| Interview Required | ||
| Health Insurance Required | ||
| Police Check Required | ||
| Financial Proof | Bank statements, tax returns, sponsor affidavit | GIC certificate, bank statements, or sponsor financial proof |
Document requirements, processing times, fees, and success rates are approximate and subject to change. Requirements vary by nationality, personal circumstances, and consulate. Apostille and translation requirements may differ based on bilateral agreements. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney or the relevant embassy before preparing your visa application.
Healthcare, safety, education, lifestyle & work culture
| Metric | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| System Type | Private-Dominant | Universal Public |
| UHC Index | 84/100 | 89/100 |
| Expat Access | Insurance Required | Partial |
| GP Visit | $100-300 | $0 (residents) |
| ER Visit | $500-3,000 | $0 (residents) |
| Insurance Cost | $300-800/mo | $0-100/mo |
| Wait Times | Moderate | Very Long |
| Emergency Quality | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Pharmacy Access | Excellent | Good |
| Mental Health | Strong | Growing |
Healthcare data is based on WHO UHC indexes, local government sources, and expatriate surveys. Costs are approximate and vary by location, provider, and insurance plan.
| Metric | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| GPI Rank | #132 | #11 |
| GPI Score | 2.517 | 1.287 |
| Homicide Rate | 6.3/100k | 2/100k |
| Scam Prevalence | Moderate | Low |
| Disaster Risk | Moderate | Low |
| Women Safety | ||
| Night Safety | ||
| Political Stability | Stable | Very Stable |
| Terrorism Risk | Moderate | Low |
Safety data is based on the Global Peace Index 2024, UNODC homicide statistics, and various travel safety assessments. Conditions can change rapidly due to political events, natural disasters, or other factors. This information is for general guidance only. Always consult your government's travel advisories before making relocation decisions.
| Metric | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| PISA Score (avg) | 489 | 520 |
| System Type | Hybrid | Public |
| Int'l Schools | High | High |
| Unis in Top 100 | 27 in global top 100 | 4 in global top 100 |
| Tuition (Local) | $10,000-15,000/yr (in-state public) | $4,000-8,000/yr (domestic) |
| Tuition (Int'l) | $25,000-60,000/yr | $20,000-40,000/yr |
| Language | English | English/French (bilingual) |
| Literacy Rate | 99% | 99% |
PISA scores from OECD 2022. University rankings from QS/THE. Tuition and literacy data are approximate. Consult official sources for current figures.
Lifestyle scores are curated estimates based on travel indices, expat surveys, and cultural research. Individual experiences may vary.
| Metric | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Work Hours / Week | 41h | 37h |
| Mandatory Vacation Days | 0 | 10 |
| Public Holidays | 11 | 9 |
| Total Days Off | 11 | 19 |
| Remote Work Acceptance | Very High | Very High |
| Hierarchy Level | Moderate | Moderate |
| Overtime Expectation | Common | Occasional |
| Meeting Culture | Fast-paced, action-oriented | Polite, inclusive, consensus-leaning |
| Lunch Break | 30 min, often at desk | 30-60 min, casual |
| Business Language | English | English; French in Quebec |
| Work-Life Balance | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Work culture data is based on national labor laws, OECD statistics, and expat surveys. Actual experiences vary by company and industry.
Climate, digital nomad readiness & infrastructure
| Country | Avg Temp | Hottest | Coldest | Annual Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | 14°C | 25°C | -1°C | 652mm |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 2°C | 4°C | 0°C | 468mm |
Monthly temperatures are modeled from annual averages. For precise data, consult local meteorological services.
| Metric | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 170 Mbps | 150 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 65 Mbps | 55 Mbps |
| Mobile Speed | 80 Mbps | 75 Mbps |
| 5G Coverage | Major cities | Major cities |
| Broadband Access | 90%pop. | 91%pop. |
| Coworking Spaces | Abundant | Good |
| Power Reliability | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Digital Gov't | Good | Good |
| Internet Cost | $50-80/mo | $55-90/mo |
| Major ISPs | ComcastAT&TVerizon+1 more | BellRogersTelus+1 more |
Speed data based on Speedtest Global Index and Ookla reports. Broadband penetration from ITU/World Bank. Costs are approximate monthly residential rates and vary by plan and provider.
| Metric | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Budget | $2,500-5,000 | $2,200-3,800 |
| Coworking Cost | $250-500/mo | $250-400/mo |
| Coworking Density | High | Good |
| Internet Speed | 120 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Community | Large | Growing |
| Timezone | UTC-5 to -10 (multi-zone) | UTC-3.5 to -8 (multi-zone) |
Nomad scores are curated estimates based on visa policies, cost of living indices, internet speed benchmarks, and community reports. Individual experiences may vary.
How confident should you be in this ranking? What could change it?
Close call: These destinations are very evenly matched. Your personal priorities will be the deciding factor — small weight changes could change the order.
These dimensions are closely contested between the compared countries. Changing your priority weights in these areas could flip the ranking:
🇺🇸 United States leads slightly, but 🇨🇦 Canada is a strong contender. Consider visiting both before deciding — the on-the-ground experience may be the tiebreaker.
Canada leads across most dimensions with an average score of 72/100.
Based on the data, Canada (72/100 avg) is the strongest overall choice, especially for families prioritizing safety and retirees needing good healthcare. However, United States (70/100) is a strong contender with better affordability.
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