Poll says $100K household income needed to live ‘comfortably’ in Canada: poll

A recent survey indicates that many Canadians now consider an annual household income of $100,000 to be the threshold for financial “comfort.”

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A recent survey indicates that many Canadians now consider an annual household income of $100,000 to be the threshold for financial “comfort.” In contrast, single Canadians typically have just over $40,000 in disposable income, significantly below this benchmark.

The survey, conducted by Leger for MoneySense in June and published on Tuesday, asked more than 9,000 Canadians across 79 cities what annual household income they considered “comfortable.”

Of respondents, 37 per cent chose $100,000, 25.8 per cent chose $150,000, and 23.8 per cent chose $74,200—the median Canadian salary. Smaller groups chose $200,000 (8.5 per cent) or $250,000 (4.9 per cent).

According to Statistics Canada, the average Canadian household had a disposable income of $100,702 in 2024 — a 5.5 per cent rise from $95,471 in 2023. However, a one-person household had an average household disposable income of $40,432 in 2024 — a 2.3 per cent drop from the $41,369 in 2023.

A survey of cities with populations of at least 50,000 found that "comfortable" incomes vary significantly by region.

The highest annual incomes needed "to feel financially comfortable" were in Richmond Hill, Ont., ($106,536), Milton, Ont., ($106,392) and Whitby, Ont., ($105,624).

Conversely, the lowest incomes were in Trois-Rivières, Que. ($57,936), Sherbrooke, Que. ($64,920) and Medicine Hat, Alta. ($70,416).

The findings come as many Canadians struggle with rising living costs. Grocery prices have jumped 27.1 per cent since 2020, with shelter costs also climbing.

Taxes also remain a major burden. The Fraser Institute found that the average family earning $114,289 in 2024 paid $48,306 in taxes to all levels of government — 42.3 per cent of their income.

“While Canadians can decide for themselves whether or not they get good value for their tax dollars, they should understand how much they pay in taxes each year,” said Jake Fuss, the institute’s director of fiscal studies.

The Fraser Institute noted that in 2025, Canadians did not reach “Tax Freedom Day” until June 8, meaning families worked more than five months just to pay their taxes before keeping any income for themselves.

A Juno News poll found 99% of Canadians felt they were not getting value for their tax dollars.

The average Canadian is paying 70 per cent more in income taxes than their American counterparts.

“This is more proof that Canadians are overtaxed. Canadians pay too much tax because our governments waste too much money,” said Franco Terrazzano, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Cost-of-living numbers are usually calculated based on single earners renting their homes, according to the study. However, if someone owned a home with a family of four and two earning parents in Vancouver or Whitby, Ont., the study says they would need to clear at least $200,000 to be comfortable.

“Of course, just because you make the cut in your city doesn’t mean you’re living comfortably,” reads the study.