Australia vs Canada: Which Country is best to live in?

If you are thinking about moving to a new country, you probably have an idea of some cool countries to pitch your tent to. If you are landing on this page, I am sure you have considered Australia and Canada ideal places to move to. 

On a general note, Australia and Canada are two very lovely countries. You will find these countries a perfect option for your immigration for whatever reason you need to move to a new country. So, we cannot rate one country above another by face value. In this post, I have compared Australia and Canada to highlight important aspects of each country that may catch your fancy while offering my unbiased recommendation. 

Maybe what you want is a structured comparison, Australia vs Canada, to inform your decision. If yes, then you just stumbled on the right resource for that. To come up with this comparison guide, I have analyzed some of the key factors we always look out for when moving to a new place: population, climatic conditions, security, cost of living, cost of studying, and tax burden others. 

This guide looks at how each country pairs when each factor is discussed. At the end of this article, you would not be in doubt which country would be good for you, and you will have an idea of what to expect when you move into any of them. Without further ado, let’s move into the comparison proper. 

Australia vs Canada – Population 

The population of a place influences everything about that place, from its economy to the living standards of its citizens, to its natural resources to cash flow, and much more. There may be certain exceptions that put the population in a positive light, but the truth is too much population is never good for economic development and nation-building. 

Canada (approximately 9,984,670 sq km) is 1.3x bigger than Australia (approximately 7,741,220 sq km). Statistics from 2019 puts the population of Canada at approximately 37.59 million people while Australia’s population is approximately 25.36 million. 

Both countries are considered to be underpopulated or put in a fairer context – sparsely populated. While this may be a good thing considering our claims on the negative impact of overpopulation, having a low population density also affects the nation. Underpopulation will lead to a breakdown in the economy as resources will be left unharnessed. 

In the first quarter of 2019, there were about 506,000 job vacancies in Canada, a 10 percent increase compared to the figures in 2018. Similarly, Australia is so underpopulated that the country can comfortably export its surplus food, energy, and mineral resources. 

In terms of GDP, Australia has a per capita income of $57,000 compared to Canada with $46,000; This puts Australia in a better economic position than Canada even though they are similar in the world’s view of underpopulation. 

Australia vs Canada – Security 

Crime levels are an important consideration when picking a country to live in. I am not sure anyone would want to mortgage the safety of their life, family, and property because of a seeming love for a country. 

No country is 100 percent crime-free; hence, you should be looking for safer and less crime levels when looking for a country to move to. 

Is Canada Safer Than Australia?

From facts and figures available online, Canada records lesser crime levels when compared to Australia, and this makes Canada safer. Australia’s crime levels are around 46.01 crimes per 100,000 citizens, while Canada records 39.03 crimes per 100,000 citizens. 

According to Global Terrorism Rankings, Canada is safer from terrorism (ranked 73rd) than Australia (ranked 63rd). Rape, which has become a predominant crime globally, is uncommon in Canada, with only 1.7 per 100,000 citizens, while Australia records 28.6 cases per 100,000 citizens. 

If security is anything to go by, then Canada is the place to go. Well, there are still other factors to consider, so let’s continue reading. 

Australia vs Canada – Cost of Living 

The cost of living in Canada is cheaper than in Australia. Living in Canada will mean paying 24.2 percent less in transportation, 2.6 percent more in groceries, 11.4 percent less in transportation, 11.2 percent less in housing, 37.0 percent less in childcare, and 18.9 percent less in clothing Australia. 

Overall, Canada’s cost is 17.7 percent cheaper than in Australia. If you intend to build from scratch, maybe with your spouse, then Canada would be the best option to take. 

Australia vs Canada – Cost of Housing 

Housing in Australia is more expensive than in Canada. The cost of a one-bedroom apartment in a downtown area in Australia can be around $1,058.57, while its equivalent in Canada will go for $887.68. 

For a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center in Australia, you would pay around $831.74, but in Canada, that apartment will cost $768.61. Additionally, utilities such as electricity, gas, water, etc., are 30 percent cheaper in Canada than in Australia. 

Australia vs Canada – Weather and Climate 

Those mentioned above for many people are why they prefer certain geographical locations over us. We all have preferences and want to stay in locations that meet our preferences to a large extent. I am very much in love with cold regions, but my elder brother loves to stay in warm regions. Such disparities exist in our preference for a place to live in. 

The weather in Canada is generally cold, with temperatures clocking down to 0 degrees Celsius during winter. On the other hand, Australia has a temperate climate with mild winters and warm summers. It will interest you to know that summer in Australia is less humid than summer in Canada. 

Like me, anyone who loves cold regions would love to be in Canada, and if you are like my brother, who is anti-cold, then Australia is where you would want to live. 

Australia vs Canada – Tax Burden 

Frankly, no one needs a lecture on the benefits of paying taxes, but certain governmental legislation on taxes can be a burden to shoulder. Canada and Australia have different tax payment rates, and in my opinion, Australia is better. 

In Canada, there are two types of taxes payable by citizens. The Federal tax and the Provincial tax, and the tax rate follow the progressive taxation principle. This means that for Canadians, the tax they pay increases as their income increases. Both the federal and provincial taxes are collected at the same time. 

Aussies enjoy a 10 percent flat rate on tax payments and do not pay taxes from July 2 to June 29 every year. There is no tax payable by persons whose income is lower than $18,200. The only downside to this tax principle called the proportional taxation principle is that the burden is more on low-income earners. 

Overall, the burden of tax payment for Aussies is lesser when compared to Canadians. 

Australia vs Canada – Unemployment Rate 

The unemployment rates in Canada (5.8%) and Australia (5.4%) are very low. This means both countries share the same opportunities for job seekers. Interestingly, there is a high demand in the trade industry of both countries. 

Australia vs Canada – Cost of Studying 

Studying in any of the two countries under review is a lofty achievement. It becomes more exciting when one can afford the cost of studying. Studying is cheaper in Canada than in Australia, both for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

The cost of undergraduate courses in Canada is around $20,000-$42,000 per year for a 4-year course. In Australia, undergraduate courses last for three years and cost around $34,000-$53,000 per year. 

Postgraduate courses in Canada cost around $25,000-$47,000 per year, while in Australia, you would be paying around $39,000-$57,000 per year. So if your decision to move is to study, Canada should be your preferred choice. 

Australia vs Canada – Immigration 

Since you are migrating into any of these countries, it is not out of place to profile the immigration process for both countries. Securing a visa to migrate into Australia can be compared to grasping at straws. Australia has a bottle-necked process for immigrants, unlike Canada. 

It is not as though Canada is a loose end for immigrants. They also have policies that make the immigration process a little difficult. Nevertheless, it is easier to secure a visa to Canada than to Australia. 

Final Thoughts on Australia vs Canada: 

Which country is best to live in?

I am optimistic you have an idea of the country that matches your preferences between these two countries. 

In my opinion, Canada seems a better country than Australia when factors such as tax payment, cost of living, cost of housing, security, immigration process, and cost of studying are considered.  

Bonus Tip: Australia has got more beaches than Canada. There are over 10,000 beaches in Australia compared to only 31 in Canada.