Every winter, sometime between scraping ice off the windshield and wondering why groceries cost more again, many Canadians find themselves quietly typing a familiar question into Google: “Is it worth moving to the USA from Canada?” 

It’s a question about quality of life. About possibility. About whether the trade-offs make sense for the kind of future you actually want. And here’s the thing: people don’t ask this because they dislike Canada. They ask because something isn’t quite adding up anymore.

Maybe the cost of living feels like a rising tide you can’t outrun. Maybe career growth feels slow, like trying to jog through molasses. Maybe the healthcare wait times have become more than an inconvenience, they’ve become a barrier.

Or maybe, after months of grey skies, you’re starting to wonder what it would feel like to wake up somewhere warm… every day. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone.

According to recent data, more Canadians are relocating to the U.S. now than at any time in the last decade. Let's dig into more. 

 

Why So Many Canadians Are Considering a Move to the USA

If you feel like you’re the only one wondering whether life might be easier, warmer, or simply more possible south of the border—you’re not. In fact, relocation from Canada to the U.S. has been steadily rising for over a decade. And the reasons people give are surprisingly consistent.

Below are the core drivers behind this growing trend—each one shaped by changing economics, shifting lifestyles, and the realities of modern Canadian life.

 

1. The Search for Better Weather (and the End of Endless Winters)

This one’s both obvious and deeply underestimated. Canada’s climate is harsh. Not occasionally, but predictably. Cities like Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Ottawa spend months under cloud cover, slush, and windchill that feels like a personal attack.

Now compare that with:

• 320+ days of sunshine in Phoenix 

• Warm winters in Florida and Texas 

• Outdoor living nearly year-round in California

Weather alone doesn’t drive your whole life… but it shapes your energy, your routines, and even your mental health. For many Canadians, the idea of no longer battling six months of cold feels like stepping into an entirely different version of themselves.

 

2. High Taxes vs. Low-Tax U.S. States

Canada’s tax system funds public services Canadians value, but it also demands a lot from high and middle-income households.

Meanwhile, several U.S. states offer:

• 0% state income tax (Florida, Texas, Nevada, Tennessee, Wyoming, South Dakota, Washington)

• Lower corporate tax environments

• Better incentives for small business owners

For Canadians earning strong salaries or running businesses, the math becomes hard to ignore.

Top Ontario tax bracket: 53.53% 

Top U.S. federal tax bracket: 37% (and only applies to very high incomes) 

Add the option of living in a no-income-tax state and suddenly living costs shrink while take-home pay grows.

 

3. More Career Opportunities and Faster Growth

The U.S. has a population roughly nine times larger than Canada. That alone multiplies job options, salaries, and industries.

Common fields where Canadians find more opportunity in the U.S.:

• Technology (Silicon Valley, Austin, Seattle, Miami)

• Healthcare (nurses, specialists, allied health)

• Trades (electricians, HVAC, construction managers)

• Finance (New York, Charlotte, Chicago)

• Entertainment and media 

• Entrepreneurship in service-based industries

For many Canadians, the U.S. job market simply moves faster—salaries grow quicker, promotions come sooner, and industries scale faster.

 

4. Rising Cost of Living in Canadian Cities

Cities like Toronto and Vancouver consistently rank among the least affordable housing markets in the world, not just in North America.

Meanwhile, U.S. cities such as Tampa, Phoenix, Houston, Raleigh, and Charlotte offer:

• Lower home prices

• Lower rent

• Lower cost of groceries and utilities

• Better affordability for families

When a 4-bedroom home in Texas costs the same as a 1-bedroom condo in Vancouver, families begin to reconsider their long-term financial path.

 

5. Access to Faster Healthcare (Even if It’s Not Free)

This is a complicated one. Canada’s healthcare is universal, but increasingly strained. Wait times for specialists and imaging often stretch into months.

In the U.S., while healthcare (or insurance) is paid out of pocket:

• Appointments are often available within days

• Specialists are accessible without long delays

• Elective surgeries can happen within weeks, not months

• Employer insurance often covers a significant portion of costs

Canadians who require ongoing treatment, fast diagnostics, or specialist care may feel more supported in the American system, if they have proper insurance.

 

6. The Desire for More Space, More Sun, and a Different Pace of Life

Beyond taxes and jobs, lifestyle is a major motivator. Common reasons Canadians mention:

• Wanting a bigger home for less money

• Seeking a slower pace of life (Carolinas, Georgia, Arizona)

• Craving year-round outdoor activities

• Wanting a fresh start or new adventure

• Joining family or community already living in the U.S.

It’s not always about problems in Canada. Sometimes it’s about possibilities in the U.S.

 

7. The Pull of Opportunity: A Bigger Playground for Ambition

Maybe the most unspoken reason of all:

The U.S. feels bigger.

And for many Canadians, bigger feels like “more potential.” 

More markets. More industries. More ideas. More risk, yes, but more reward. Sometimes it’s not about escaping something that feels wrong, but moving toward something that feels right.

 

What Canadians Often Don’t Realize About Moving to the USA (The Downsides)

Every decision that seems full of potential also comes with a quieter list of trade-offs. And while the U.S. offers opportunity, sunshine, and lower taxes, it’s not without its challenges. Some predictable, others surprising.

This section isn’t here to scare you. It’s here to give you the full picture, because any decision worth making deserves to be made with clear eyes, not glossy brochures.

 

1. Healthcare Costs Can Be High (Even With Insurance)

If Canada’s healthcare system is slow, the U.S. system is… expensive. Sometimes unpredictably so. Here’s what catches most Canadians by surprise:

• Insurance plans have deductibles, sometimes $2,000–$10,000. (We opted for one with no deductible)

• Prescriptions vary wildly in price.

• Employer plans vary dramatically in quality.

And if you’re self-employed? Your insurance cost is another monthly bill (though a business expense) often $300–$1,200 per person depending on coverage.

Access improves. Costs increase. Most Canadians need time to mentally adjust.

 

2. Safety Perception: Gun Laws, Politics, and Regional Differences

Canada and the U.S. share strong cultural similarities but diverge significantly in areas many Canadians consider foundational.

• Gun ownership is far more common in the U.S.

• Political polarization can be more intense

• Crime rates vary widely from state to state and even neighborhood to neighborhood

The important part? The U.S. is not one experience. It is, realistically, 50 very different countries tied together by a passport. Safety depends heavily on:

• City

• County

• Neighborhood

• Lifestyle

• Personal habits

Many Canadians find perfectly safe, family-friendly communities, but it takes research.

 

3. Visas Can Limit Your Freedom More Than Expected

This is a big one that often goes overlooked. Even though Canadians have smoother pathways into the U.S. than most nationalities, each visa comes with limitations:

TN Visa (for professionals)

• You must work for the employer listed.

• You cannot easily change careers.

• You cannot be self-employed.

• You must renew it regularly.

• It does not lead to a green card.

 

Family-based sponsorship

• Only applies if you have U.S. citizen relatives.

• Often slow.

• Limited to specific relationships.

For many Canadians, these realities are the first time immigration has ever felt… real. This is why I created the E-2 Visa Bootcamp to show Canadian's there's an easier way. 

 

4. The Social Safety Net Is Smaller

Canada’s social systems aren’t perfect, but they are comprehensive. In the U.S., the safety net is:

• More decentralized

• More dependent on employment

• More reliant on personal responsibility and savings

Things Canadians don’t always account for:

• Short-term disability is not guaranteed

• Parental leave is not guaranteed federally

• Unemployment benefits vary by state

• Retirement planning is more self-directed

It’s a country where your outcomes are more tied to your own decisions—not the government’s structures. That can feel empowering or overwhelming, depending on your personality. Personally, I'd prefer to have more responsibility than the government have more structure or control. 

 

5. Cost of Higher Education

Yes, some things are cheaper in the U.S., but university is often not one of them. Unless:

• Your children qualify for in-state tuition

• You live in certain affordable states

• They earn scholarships

Canadian parents are often stunned by U.S. university tuition. (Though to be fair, private universities in Canada are rising too.) This becomes a major deciding factor for families with teens.

 

Is it cheaper to live in the US or Canada?

When Canadians imagine life in the U.S., they often picture dramatic scenes of cheap gas, big houses, and low taxes. And yes, those differences exist. But cost of living is rarely black and white. It’s a patchwork of regional advantages, hidden expenses, and unexpected trade-offs.

So instead of broad generalizations, let’s look at the realities that matter most when you’re comparing your life in Canada to the one you might build in the U.S.

 

1. Housing Costs: The Biggest Factor in the Equation

Housing is where many Canadians first notice the shift.

Canada’s reality:

Major cities like Toronto and Vancouver have become globally unaffordable. Even mid-sized cities (Kelowna, Halifax, Ottawa, Kitchener) have surged beyond what many families can sustain.

The U.S. reality:

Housing affordability varies dramatically by state, but large portions of the country offer far more space for far less money.

Examples of typical home prices (approx.):

• Tampa, Florida: $450,000–$550,000

• Dallas, Texas: $400,000–$500,000

• Phoenix, Arizona: $450,000–$550,000

• Charlotte, North Carolina: $420,000–$520,000

Now compare that with:

• Toronto: $1.1M

• Vancouver: $1.2M

• GTA suburbs: $900,000+

It’s not hard to see why Canadian families start asking questions.

 

2. Rent Prices: U.S. Cities Often Come Out Ahead

Rent is where the difference feels immediate.

Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: 

• Toronto: $2,800–$3,400

• Vancouver: $2,900–$3,600

In the U.S.: 

• Houston: $1,600–$2,200

• Phoenix: $1,700–$2,300

• Tampa: $1,900–$2,500

• Charlotte: $1,700–$2,300

Even in some popular metros, rent remains surprisingly reasonable compared to Canada’s hottest markets.

 

3. Everyday Costs: Groceries, Gas, Utilities, and Childcare

This is where the U.S. quietly becomes much more affordable than expected.

Groceries:

Generally cheaper in the U.S. thanks to greater agricultural scale and competition. I spent $400/week on groceries in Canada (yes I know - expensive, I shop at Whole Foods and buy grass fed mets) and in the U.S. I spent around $225-$250 for the exact same items. 

Gas:

Consistently lower, sometimes dramatically lower, than Canadian prices.

Utilities:

Electricity and heating vary by state, but the U.S. averages tend to be slightly lower than Canada’s major metros.

Childcare:

This is a big one:

• Canada: $1,400–$2,200/month (unless you’re in a subsidized region)

• U.S.: $800–$1,600/month, depending on the state

In other words, your monthly expenses (outside of healthcare) often decrease, not increase.

 

4. Taxes: The Hidden Driver of Cost of Living

Taxes shape your daily life more than almost anything else.

Canada:

• High income tax rates

• High sales tax in most provinces

• Higher corporate tax for small business

• Carbon taxes and additional fees

U.S.:

Federal tax + state tax

(Some states have no income tax at all)

States with 0% income tax: 

• Florida

• Texas

• Nevada

• Tennessee

• Washington

• Wyoming

• South Dakota

For middle to high earners, the difference in take-home pay can be substantial. For entrepreneurs, it’s even larger. Especially with the ability to elect S-Corp status and reduce self-employment taxes.

 

So… Is It Really Worth Moving to the USA From Canada?

It depends where you’re coming from, and where you’re going.

The U.S. is often cheaper if:

• You’re leaving Toronto, Vancouver, or Ottawa

• You move to Florida, Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, or Georgia

• You have a stable income or business

• You’re not dealing with chronic medical conditions

The U.S. may be more expensive if:

• You require significant ongoing healthcare

• You move to very expensive metros (NYC, San Francisco, LA)

• You’re risk-averse and prefer predictable systems

Ultimately, cost of living comes down to lifestyle, city choice, and what you value most. If the frustrations you’re feeling in Canada are structural (career ceilings, affordability, burnout, or the long winter grind) the U.S. might genuinely open doors you didn’t know existed. 

And if asking the question is your starting point? You’re already closer to the answer than you think.