Food Prices in Canada by Province

Even though the cost of housing is much lower in these places, you’re likely to feel the hit to your bank account with the increased cost of living. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the grocery costs for the average Canadian throughout the country.

Cost of Food Per Month in Canada 

Every year, the cost of food seems to be getting higher and higher. In 2022, the national average monthly cost of food for the average Canadian household was $1,065.60. In 2023, the average cost for the same amount of groceries is $1,357.37. That’s almost $300 per month or $3,600 per year more for average food prices in Canada. Fortunately, in 2024, the cost of food hasn’t risen much more than it did in 2023. 

Whether you’re a single person or shopping for a family of four, the average monthly costs of groceries are significantly higher than in 2022. The average price of individual items has risen between 5% and 7%, making it harder than ever to make ends meet on the average salary. 

Why do grocery costs keep increasing? Well, that has a lot to do with inflation. Normally, inflation sits at around 2% per year; however, in 2022, inflation rose to around 8.1%. Not only did that increase the price of goods dramatically, but we are still seeing that influence even as the inflation rate decreases. Thankfully, we have seemed to reach a standstill for now. 

Highest Food Prices Per Province

Even though the price of groceries has increased overall, there are certain foods that are priced higher than others. Let’s take a look at some staples in Canada and see what province they cost the most, according to Statistics Canada. These prices are taken from a wide range of food and beverage stores. Depending on what Canadian city you shop in, the prices can be a bit higher or lower than what they’re depicted to be in your province. 

These numbers are bound to fluctuate, but you can see the highest prices on some basic food costs. 

Food Prices in Canada per Province

When it comes to looking at the overall prices of food, let’s look at some of the basic costs throughout the country. Buying food can be costly for Canadian shoppers, so it’s interesting to see the difference between each province and how it affects how much Canadians spend monthly on food. 

While these are just a few examples of how the prices vary in Canadian dollars. You can see that some provinces have way higher food costs than others.  We didn’t even include costs like toilet paper, householder cleaners or detergent. These big-ticket items also have prices that vary through different Canadian cities and provinces. 

Cost of Food Based on Family Size

Whether you’re feeding two people or a family of 4 or larger can make a big difference in your annual budget. A family of two may not notice the grocery price increase as much as a family of 4. That said, it’ll still be noticeable on certain products like rice, a litre of milk, tomatoes, apples, and other household staples. Determining price variations is as simple as looking at prices from two years ago versus prices today. Let’s take a look at the data.

While it’s possible that food prices could slightly decrease in 2025, we can see a significant increase in the last two years. Since it’s tough for Canadians to afford all of these increased costs, the government has launched many new initiatives to help Canadians afford these new costs, especially since the trend shows that the prices grocery stores sell these products won’t reduce by much. 

The Most Expensive Province in Canada for Food

If we look at the different provinces and how their food costs vary, we notice that the province with the highest total cost of food is Ontario. This isn’t entirely surprising since it’s the country's largest province with the highest population. In fact, Toronto is one of the most expensive cities in the country for Canadian families to purchase groceries. 

Other provinces that are also considered to have higher food prices are:

• British Columbia
• Saskatchewan
• Alberta

Even though the rest are considered to have the lowest prices, you’ll notice above that they have some of the highest prices on the foods we compared prices off. Honestly, the cost of food will depend on what foods you purchase consistently as well as where you live. Whether you are in Ontario, BC or the prairie provinces, the price of groceries is still higher. This is especially the case in major Canadian cities. 

Canada’s Food Price Report

One way economists help predict food costs is through Canada's Food Price Report. This report is created by:

• Dalhousie University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Guelph
• University of Saskatchewan

It breaks down the predicted cost of food, what the predicted increases are going to be, and how this impacts different individuals according to their monthly food costs. Throughout the report, they reference situations that many Canadians might be in and other demographics to demonstrate an accurate prediction of the cost of groceries. They reference which items will have the higher cost, differences from one province to another, and how these prices will reflect in major cities. 

Ways to Save Money on Groceries in Canada

Even though grocery prices have increased everywhere, that doesn’t mean you still can’t save money. Here are a few tips on how to save on your groceries every day. 

• Price match: Price matching is an easy way to save without having to shop around. All you have to do is ensure the price of the store you’re shopping at matches the price. From there, you can search online flyers to see sales on products you want to buy. You can shop the flyer at the till and get the sale price on the item. It also can prevent you from shopping around at different stores. 
• Coupon: Couponing is now easier than ever. You can get product coupons online, or you can find paper coupons in-store. The best time to use a coupon is when the product is on sale. This way, you can get the most savings. 
• Meal plan: Planning your weekly meals before you go shopping can help you narrow down your list to only the items you need. This helps to avoid overbuying and then throwing out food you don’t use. 
• Write a Grocery List: Going into a grocery store with a list can help you remember everything you need and avoid overbuying. It also keeps you on track, so you don’t have to go back to the store for any items you’ve forgotten. 

Cheapest Grocery Stores in Canada

All over Canada, you have different grocery stores that provide competitive pricing. These stores are all located in different places in Canada. 

Most Expensive Grocery Stores

Since grocery stores are highly competitive, there are some stores that are more expensive than the rest. In Canada, these stores are:

• Thrifty Foods
• Sobeys
• Metro
• Safeway 
• Longos

That said, there are some products that you can only get at these stores, which is why many people choose to shop there. 

Other Options for Buying Groceries

Instead of doing all of your shopping at traditional grocery stores, you can also shop for seasonal products at farmer's markets like:

• Halifax Seaport Market
• Hamilton Farmers Market
• Lawrence Market

These are just examples. There are plenty of local farmers markets in all Canadian provinces. You don’t just have to purchase farm fresh produce here, either. You can often get local meats, local cheeses, fresh white bread, and other food items that aren’t found in grocery stores. They don’t always have all of the traditional food categories you would get when grocery shopping in a grocery store, but you can find plenty of quality products while saving money. 

Cost of Food in Relation to the Cost of Living in Canada

The increased cost of groceries in Canada is directly related to the increased cost of living. The increase in transportation costs directly impacts the cost of more affordable groceries, such as vegetables and fruits, as well as already expensive foods like dairy products and meat like beef and chicken breasts. 

Not only is the cost of groceries themselves higher, but so is the cost of getting the groceries. The increase in gas prices, which you need in your car, can also impact Canadian wallets. That said, even if you live in cities and don’t drive, you have to factor these costs into your increased fairs for other modes of transportation. 

Another factor to consider when it comes to the cost of groceries is supply and demand. An increase in demand, but not an increase in production, can also cause a significant increase in prices for consumers. This is especially true if you live in a more remote location like Prince Edward Island. Larger cities like Calgary or London won’t have the increased transportation costs. 

Final Thoughts

Food costs in Canada are constantly rising. In fact, Canada is one of the most expensive countries in the world for groceries. Other countries, including the US, seem to spend much less on groceries than we do. While this has a lot to do with inflation, increasing interest rates and high housing costs, it can also be attributed to supply chain issues. No matter where you live, though, there are plenty of ways to spend less money on groceries while still purchasing your favourite items. You just may have to be more mindful when you’re shopping.