Retiring in Canada 101: A Guide For Those Who Want to Retire to Canada from the U.S.

As the second-largest country in the world in area, Canada offers a decent standard of living that includes great healthcare, beautiful summers, stunning natural attractions, and a laid-back lifestyle perfect for spending your retirement years. In fact, Canada’s population passed 41 million in 2024, and almost all of that growth is due to immigration. With stats like those, it’s easy to see why so many people want to retire to Canada from the U.S. If you’re among them, here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about retiring in Canada.

What Americans Retiring in Canada Need To Know

If you’re considering retiring in Canada, you may be focused on the quality of life, culture, and other social aspects. While that is absolutely vital to having an enjoyable retirement, there are a few less-fun factors to assess, like how you’ll become an official Canadian resident, how you’ll handle your taxes, and if you need additional insurance.

How To Retire to Canada From the U.S.: Visas and Citizenship

Can Americans retire in Canada? They sure can — if they have a visa. One of the easiest ways for a U.S. citizen to move to Canada from the U.S. is to already have a family member who lives there. For example, grandparents and parents can apply for a super visa if they have grandkids or children living in Canada, which is a type of visa that allows people to stay in the country for up to five years. However, it doesn't provide you with health coverage and some of the other privileges that permanent Canadian residents receive.

The immigration path to Canada may be a little bit trickier if you don’t already have family living there. There is no Canada retirement visa; however, if you don’t plan on staying in Canada year-round, you could apply for a temporary visitor visa. This visa allows you to spend up to six months at a time in the country — perfect if you want to spend the rest of your time somewhere warmer, perhaps!

If you’ve been in Canada for at least three consecutive years and are ready to make retiring in Canada a more permanent arrangement, then you can take the necessary steps toward obtaining Canadian citizenship.

How To Retire To Canada From the U.S.: Filing Your Taxes

Can Americans retire in Canada and stop paying U.S. taxes? Unfortunately, the answer is no if you’re not a Canadian citizen. If you’re a U.S. citizen, you still have to pay U.S. taxes, even if you’re not living in the country — see this U.S. Tax Guide for American Expats in Canada for more information. If you get a part-time job in Canada, that income will likely need to be reported. You’ll need to see your state’s tax guidelines for more specific details.  

If you’re planning on retiring in Canada, you most likely have at least one retirement savings account, such as an IRA or 401(k). In Canada, withdrawals from these accounts are generally taxed as foreign income, but the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty helps prevent double taxation by allowing tax credits for taxes paid in the U.S. on these withdrawals. Plus, if you have a Roth IRA, you pay taxes on contributions, but the future withdrawals are tax-free.

How To Retire to Canada From the U.S.: Social Security Benefits and Health Insurance

Can I retire in Canada with U.S. Social Security? Yes, you can generally receive your U.S. Social Security benefits without interruption if you decide to retire to Canada from the U.S. The U.S. has agreements with several countries, including Canada, to ensure that beneficiaries can receive payments while living abroad.

We’ll talk more about Canada’s healthcare services later in the article, but if you’re retiring in Canada, you’re probably wondering, “Can you retire to Canada without purchasing health insurance?” And it’s a fair question, as Canada does have public health insurance, which covers basic services. However, some medical needs won’t be covered by this plan, like dental care, eyeglasses, and prescriptions.

If you’re interested in retiring in Canada, keep reading because we have even more information to share, from the pros and cons of retiring in Canada to breakdowns of certain areas and how they compare to their American counterparts!

Retiring in Canada — FAQs

Q: Can a U.S. citizen retire to Canada?
A: Can I retire to Canada from the U.S.? Yes, a U.S. citizen can retire in Canada — even a U.S. citizen at retirement age! It’s especially easy if you already have a family member who lives there — particularly a child or grandchild — but there are other ways to retire there if you don’t.

Q: How much money do you need to retire in Canada?
A: The cost of living in Canada for one person is around $1,070 per month, not including rent. Don’t think that’s all retiring in Canada will cost you, though. Canadians spend up to half of their income on housing and utilities, so you’ll want to prepare financially before making the move. You’ll want to budget for immigration fees, as well. This Canadian retirement calculator can help you determine a better estimate.

Q: Is Canada a good place for U.S. retirees?
A: Yes, retiring in Canada has many benefits and is likely preferable to retiring in the U.S. because Canada has a slightly lower cost of living and publicly funded universal healthcare that’s available to citizens their entire lives. Additionally, Canadian retirement accounts have more generous contribution limits and fewer distribution limits than American ones.

How much does a routine physical cost you in Canada? Oh, about zero dollars out of pocket.

The Pros and Cons of Retiring in Canada

To give you a better idea of Canada’s living perks, along with a few disadvantages, check out these pros and cons of moving to Canada for retirement.

Pro: Great Healthcare System

Canada's universal healthcare system (also called Canadian Medicare) is accessible to both permanent residents and citizens. It covers all medical services, with a few exceptions, such as vision and dental care. The country's healthcare system is regarded as one of the best in the world!

However, new residents are required to wait until they are officially recognized as permanent residents in order to receive free healthcare within the country. You will most likely need to purchase international health insurance at first.

Con: Harsh Winter Weather

Can you retire to Canada if you don’t like cold weather? You can… but you may not enjoy the winter months. Retiring in Canada means getting used to low temps. Many expats know that Canada has chilly winters, but are still surprised at the harsh conditions that most Canadian provinces experience.

However, if you are looking for a more temperate climate, you can find that in a place like British Columbia! Remember, though, you’re still going to need warm winter gear no matter where you settle in the country.

Pro: Welcoming and Friendly Culture

Canada is known as the world’s friendliest country, and Canadians are even quite friendly toward foreigners, as well. No matter where you are, it’s not uncommon for a stranger to come up and start a conversation!

The large number of immigrants who have made a home in Canada has also created a diverse population of religious and cultural communities.

Pro and Con: Cost of Living Isn’t the Most Affordable

Overall, the cost of living in Canada is slightly more affordable than living in the U.S., but Canada can still be considered an expensive country. Can Americans retire in Canada if they’re on fixed incomes? Yes, they can, but while retiring in Canada isn’t impossible for those on a budget, they’ll want to choose their new Canadian city carefully because the costs can add up quickly. Although Canada's cost of living is lower than the U.S., it still has some of the highest costs in the Western world. This is mainly due to the fact that the country has one of the highest incomes per capita.

High housing costs are also a major factor when weighing the pros and cons of retiring in Canada. Due to the lack of supply and the high prices in certain cities, such as Vancouver and Toronto, people have to spend a lot of money on housing. One way to lower these costs is by moving to a smaller town.

The best places to retire in Canada include spots for both nature lovers and cultural aficionados.

Finding the Best Places to Retire in Canada for You

Retiring in Canada is a popular option because of the country’s stunning natural beauty, friendly people, high-quality healthcare, and lots of fun outdoor activities to engage in. While Canada’s big cities offer great amenities like great public transportation, better jobs, and lots of entertainment options, many of its small towns are in close enough proximity to the country’s bigger cities with unique perks of their own. Check out a mixture of some of the best places to retire in Canada, including both affordable Canadian cities and popular small towns to retire in.  

1. Victoria, British Columbia — Big City

The city of Victoria is located on Vancouver Island, which is the largest island on North America’s Pacific Coast. It's named after Queen Victoria and is known for its colonial architecture and tea time culture. Its laid-back atmosphere overall makes it a best place to retire in Canada!

Victoria is known for its boating lifestyle, with numerous beaches and places to access the Pacific Ocean. There are also thousands of islands off the coast, which offer a wide range of wildlife encounters.

2. Niagara Falls, Ontario — Big City

The city of Niagara Falls has plenty of different views of the falls, making it a gorgeous place to settle down for nature lovers who are retiring in Canada. You'll also find a variety of museums in the area, like the Niagara Falls History Museum, that are perfect for bringing the grandkids!

This area is also close to two of the Great Lakes, meaning you can visit Crystal Beach on Lake Erie or the wine region of Niagara-on-the-Lake (on Lake Ontario) in just thirty minutes. Downtown Toronto is also only an hour and a half away.

3. Ottawa, Ontario — Big City

Ottawa is a great place for retirees due to its variety of attractions, including the Canadian Museum of Nature and the National Gallery of Canada. It is also known for its affordable real estate values and accessibility to healthcare.

4. Canmore, Alberta — Small Town

From Calgary, you can travel west on the Trans-Canada Highway and visit the Rocky Mountains. Along the way, you’ll come across Canmore, a small town situated between some of the region's most prominent peaks, including Mount Rundle and Grotto Mountain. This town is also full of places to shop, including local favorite The Shops of Canmore. Want to learn more? Check out some of the best Calgary neighborhoods.

5. Goderich, Ontario — Small Town

Goderich is a beautiful small town that's built on a hub model, with all of its streets radiating outward from its downtown core. You can also easily walk to one of the area's three beaches, which are located on Lake Huron. If you want to travel a bit further, you can also visit Sauble Beach and Grand Bend.

Goderich also has various historical buildings, which include the CPR Station, the Huron County Museum, and the Huron Historic Gaol.

6. Hudson, Quebec — Small Town

The town of Hudson is situated around 35 miles west of Montreal. It's mainly inhabited by immigrants from the U.S., Scotland, Ireland, and England, and it's surrounded by farms and forests. If you’re a fluent French speaker, retiring in Canada’s only primarily French-speaking province may be the right choice for you. Most citizens are bilingual, but you’ll still get to show off your skills.

Hudson also hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, like the Shiverfest, the St. Patrick's Parade, and the Hudson Music Festival.

 

Moving to Canada from the U.S. may not be a major cultural shift since some of their cities share notable attributes.

Comparing U.S. Cities to Canadian Cities

Retiring in Canada vs. the U.S. is a lot more similar than you may think, as the cultures easily intertwine with each other overall. In fact, many American counterparts go hand in hand with some of Canada’s most prominent cities. Here are a few examples.

Chicago vs. Toronto

The city of Toronto tends to stand out from the country’s other cities, as it is the largest city in Canada and even a world leader in industries like business, finance, entertainment, and culture. Toronto is known for its tall buildings and skyline, lakefront location, and abundance of baseball stadiums, which often makes this Canadian metro comparable to U.S. cities like Chicago.  

Even though the options vary quite widely, the cities of Toronto and Chicago are also known for their fabulous dining scenes! You can find over 9,300 restaurants across over 150 neighborhoods in Toronto, including everything from casual family-owned businesses to the finest of dining.

The cost of living in both Chicago and Toronto is nearly the same, as well. Living in Chicago is estimated to be just 1 percent more expensive than living in Toronto.  

Boston vs. Montreal

When you take a look at Boston and Montreal, both of these port towns have plenty of history to keep the locals entertained, with large Irish populations and European-style streets.

The Boston climate is more humid and subtropical, compared to a warm summer continental/hemiboreal climate in Montreal with no dry season. Average monthly temperatures range about 10 degrees Fahrenheit less in Boston, as well.

The cost of living in Montreal is 20 percent higher than the national average in Canada, while the cost of living in Boston is almost 51 percent higher than the national average in the U.S.

Pittsburgh vs. Hamilton

There has always been a very similar and close connection between the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the city of Hamilton in Ontario. Both Pittsburgh and Hamilton have a vast industrial history, with a high number of blue-collar workers. Football and hockey are both near and dear to these cities’ hearts, as Canadian fans cheer on the Tiger-Cats and Bulldogs, while Pittsburgh residents root for the Steelers and Penguins.

These cities also have similar terrains. With a variety of treacherous hills located in Pittsburgh, Hamilton is also known for the “Hamilton Mountain,” which is a massive vertical wall of shale, sandstone, and limestone. It’s part of the Niagara Escarpment, which spans southern Ontario from New York to the Wisconsin/Illinois border, and it’s even regarded as the world's longest escarpment.

And while employers in Pittsburgh may pay less than they do in Hamilton, Pittsburgh’s cost of living is still 17 percent lower than in Hamilton!

Houston vs. Edmonton

It's very common to compare the province of Alberta with the state of Texas, as both of these regions have plenty of oil and cattle. In fact, big U.S. cities in Texas, like Houston, are often compared with Canadian cities like Edmonton.

Although both of these cities offer very similar qualities of life, everyday living is a bit more affordable in Edmonton, which may be nice for those retiring in Canada on a budget. The cost of living in Edmonton is 19 percent less expensive than in Houston. If you’re interested in retiring in Canada and want to know more about Edmonton, here are seven of the best Edmonton neighborhoods that should be on your radar.

Denver vs. Calgary

Just taking a first glance at other big American cities like Denver, the physical appearance is almost eerily similar compared to the Canadian city of Calgary. Both are located near the Rockies and oil rigs, and both act as prominent western frontier towns.

Due to the oil dependency and U.S. foreign policy that was implemented during the oil and recession-related crises of the 1970s and 1980s, Denver was able to achieve rapid development, while Calgary was struggling to keep up. Despite its growing population, Calgary's GDP is about one-third that of Denver's.

The cost of living in Calgary is 25 percent less expensive than in Denver, with the average cost of living totaling just under $2,800 per month for one person in Denver versus around $2,100 in Calgary.  

Seattle vs. Vancouver

Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, the Canadian city of Vancouver and the American city of Seattle have quite their fair share of similarities. Aside from the rainy weather, you have access to some beautiful beaches when you live in either of these cities, like English Bay Beach in Vancouver or Golden Gardens Park in Seattle.

Vancouver and Seattle are also known for their markets, where you can find a variety of fresh and baked goods. Vancouver’s Granville Island Public Market has a beautiful location right near the water, and Seattle’s Pike Place Market has over 220 shops and restaurants!

Living in Vancouver is more affordable than living in Seattle, as Seattle’s cost of living is 29 percent more expensive than its Canadian counterpart. The cost of living for one person each month in Seattle is around $3,000, versus around $2,500 in Vancouver.

PODS knows what it takes to retire to Canada from the U.S. — from a moving and storage perspective, that is.

Retiring in Canada: Making the Move With PODS 

Is retiring in Canada the right choice for you? If so, PODS specializes in cross-border moving to Canada. No matter if you want to head to Canada right away or take your time packing, PODS offers portable moving containers with flexible timelines that work around your schedule. Plus, one month’s storage is included in the cost of every move.

And, if you don’t want to pack your own boxes or haul your furniture into the container yourself, PODS can refer you to local packing and loading services to help with the heavy lifting. Call PODS at 877-350-7637 for a free long-distance moving quote.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}