Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Ontario to British Columbia
Ontario and BC are very close on income tax for most earners, making this one of Canada's tightest province-to-province tax comparisons. BC is slightly cheaper at $75,000 to $100,000 income (saving up to $492/year), while Ontario becomes significantly cheaper above $150,000 as BC's higher top brackets kick in. Both provinces have similar sales tax: BC charges 7% PST plus 5% GST (12% total), while Ontario charges 13% HST — Ontario is marginally higher but in the same range.
Wins at High Incomes
5 progressive brackets from 5.05% to 13.16%
Wins at Mid Incomes
7 progressive brackets from 5.06% to 20.5%
At $100,000 income:
BC residents pay $492 less in provincial income tax than Ontario at $100,000. Above $150,000, Ontario becomes cheaper as BC's top rates climb to 20.5%.
| Income | ON Tax | BC Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,525 | $2,584 | $59 | $590 |
| $75,000 | $4,753 | $4,509 | $244 | $2,440 |
| $100,000 | $7,041 | $6,549 | $492 | $4,920 |
| $150,000 | $12,563 | $12,907 | -$344 | -$3,440 |
| $250,000 | $25,023 | $29,051 | -$4,028 | -$40,280 |
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Send Money To/From Canada →It depends on your income. BC has slightly lower provincial income tax up to around $100,000 — at $100K, BC pays $6,549 versus Ontario's $7,041 (BC saves $492). However, above $150,000 Ontario becomes cheaper, and by $250,000 Ontario saves $4,028 per year as BC's top rate climbs to 20.5%.
The crossover is around $140,000 to $150,000. Below this income level, BC's lower bottom brackets give a small advantage. Above it, Ontario's significantly lower top rates (13.16% vs BC's 16.8% and 20.5%) mean Ontario residents keep more of each additional dollar earned.
Ontario charges 13% HST (5% federal GST + 8% provincial component) on most goods and services. BC charges 5% GST plus 7% provincial sales tax (PST) = 12% total on most items. BC is marginally cheaper on sales tax, but the difference is relatively small for most households.
For most income levels the income tax difference is less than $500 per year — not a meaningful financial driver for relocation. The bigger factors are housing costs (comparable expensiveness in Vancouver vs Toronto), wages in your industry, and lifestyle preferences. High earners above $200K would actually save significantly by staying in Ontario.
BC 2026 brackets: 5.06% up to $47,937; 7.7% up to $95,875; 10.5% up to $110,076; 12.29% up to $133,664; 14.7% up to $181,232; 16.8% up to $252,752; 20.5% above $252,752. Source: BC Ministry of Finance.
Both provinces offer comparable universal healthcare (OHIP in Ontario, MSP in BC) and public education. BC is known for strong environmental programs and outdoor recreation infrastructure. Ontario's larger tax base funds more extensive transit systems and social services. Neither province has a clearly superior public services offering — it comes down to what matters most to you.
Both provinces have some of Canada's most expensive housing. Vancouver and the Metro Vancouver area is generally comparable to Toronto pricing, with detached homes averaging $1.5M-$2M+ in both markets. Outside major cities, both provinces have significantly more affordable options. BC's Okanagan and Ontario's smaller cities (Hamilton, London) offer mid-range alternatives.