As of November 12, 2026, Canada is cheaper than United States for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $170 in Canada against $209 in United States, a gap of 23.3%. Over the past year Canada has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+2.5% after inflation, against 0.0%). Both sit at US advisory Level 1.
| Measure | Canada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $170 | $209 |
| Lean day | $80 | $94 |
| Comfortable day | $370 | $471 |
| Real change, 12 months | +2.5% | 0.0% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +1.7% | 0.0% |
| Versus 5-year average | +9.0% | 0.0% |
| US advisory | Level 1 · Normal precautions | Level 1 · Normal precautions |
| Ease of travel | 4.8 · Effortless | 4.7 · Effortless |
| Index score | 60 | 52 |
| Best months | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct |
| Shoulder months | May, Oct | Mar, Nov |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
American-scale landscapes at a currency discount to the US.
The catchSummer lodging in Banff and the big cities is very expensive, distances are vast, and winter is serious.
For anyone not paid in dollars, the question is always the same: how strong is the dollar this year?
The catchLodging, car rental, tipping and sales tax push real costs well above sticker prices, and health care without insurance is ruinous. The State Department does not rate its own country; the level shown is a baseline.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.