Canadians generally face higher overall income taxes than Americans, with studies indicating the typical Canadian pays approximately 70% more income tax. While a median Canadian earner faces an average federal-provincial rate of just over 17%, marginal rates are higher, especially in provinces like Quebec or Nova Scotia. These higher rates fund universal healthcare, education, and social benefits.
According to a new study published by the Fraser Institute, in 2024 the average Canadian family (including single people) paid $48,306 in total taxes. Given the average family's total cash income was $114,289 in 2024, this means families paid 42.3 per cent of their incomes in taxes levied by all levels of government.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average mean salary in the US across all occupations is $67,920 USD, which is about $95,454.77 CAD. This means American salaries are generally higher. Canada also ranks highly on global income lists and has salaries comparable with Germany and Australia.
In 2022, Canada was ranked 22nd out of the 38 OECD countries in terms of the tax-to-GDP ratio. 1. In this note, the country with the highest level or share is ranked first and the country with the lowest level or share is ranked 38th.
For a $70,000 income in Canada (using 2025 rates), you'll pay roughly $13,000 to $20,000 in total taxes (federal, provincial, CPP, EI), depending on your province, resulting in a take-home pay around $50,000-$59,000, with federal tax around 14.5% or 20.5% depending on the portion, plus provincial tax and deductions like CPP and EI.
Of course, the higher taxes Canadians pay aren't for nothing. Governments use that revenue to provide far more generous family and unemployment benefits than in the US, as well as things like subsidized post-secondary education and government-funded universal health care.
Top 5% The threshold amount for those who are in the top 5% is $162,210 annually. Those who fall into the top 5% category are also part of the upper middle class. They earn slightly more than the top 10%, who aren't that much above the average Canadian.
For example, if you're single and earn $1 million in taxable income, you'll fall into the highest tax bracket, which is currently 37%. This means that you'll pay 37% in federal income taxes on the portion of your income that exceeds the threshold for the highest tax bracket.
Basic Groceries
It's a win for everyone that basic necessities like groceries are not taxed in Canada. These zero-rated items ensure that Canadians of all income levels can access the essentials without an added tax burden.
If the CRA establishes your residence status as a Canadian resident, you'll pay income tax on income earned anywhere in the world. Even if you spend some time working outside Canada, you'll still be liable to pay federal and territorial tax. The amount of money you pay as a tax depends on what you earn.
There isn't one single "highest tax paying country" as it depends on what's measured (income, corporate, total tax revenue), but countries like Denmark, Finland, Japan, and Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) consistently rank highest for top personal income tax rates, often exceeding 50-60%, while nations like Belgium can have the highest overall tax burden on labor (tax wedge) for average earners, with high social security. Nordic countries and some European nations generally have high income taxes, funding extensive social services.
Quebec: Known for having the highest provincial income tax rates in Canada. For example, the top marginal rate in Quebec can exceed 25% (provincial portion alone). Alberta: Traditionally offers some of the lowest provincial tax rates, with a flat rate for many years (though now it's slightly progressive).
The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $75,000 a year in Toronto makes 20.9% more than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $56,504.
In California, a household can be considered middle class if it makes between $63,674 and $191,042. However, that range can change at the city level. SmartAsset used U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 1-year data and analyzed the median household income in 100 of the largest U.S. cities and all states.
Everyday tax strategies for Canadians: 5 things to get right
The Canadian government taxes you only 50% of your investment gains. So if you bought a stock three years ago and sold it this year for a profit of $100, you'd be taxed on $50 of it. If you experience that gain in a tax-advantaged account like a TFSA, however, the rules are slightly different.
Canada's 90% rule helps non-residents and recent immigrants claim full federal tax credits (like the Basic Personal Amount) if 90% or more of their net worldwide income for the relevant tax year is from Canadian sources; otherwise, credits are prorated (reduced) based on their Canadian residency period, ensuring fairness for those who weren't residents all year.
Many of the immigrants have been in Canada between ten and twenty years and cite several reasons for leaving Canada to work overseas. But the most common reason they pointed to is a feeling of unfulfilled potential in themselves.