Average Phone Bill in Canada
Canadian households spend about $125 a month on cell phone service, usually across more than one line. Here is what different households pay, how provinces compare and how to find a cheaper plan.
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How much is the average phone bill in Canada?
The average phone bill in Canada is about $125 a month per household for cell phone service, based on Statistics Canada's 2023 spending survey ($1,494 a year). A person living alone pays about $69 a month. Buying phones is counted separately, and the CRTC reports mobile service prices fell nearly 40% from 2021 to 2025.
What is the average phone bill in Canada?
The average phone bill in Canada is about $125 a month per household for cell phone service, according to Statistics Canada's 2023 Survey of Household Spending. That is $1,494 a year divided by 12. Most households have more than one line, so the cost per phone is lower than the household total.
That figure covers service only. Households spent another $324 a year, about $27 a month, buying phones and equipment, and about $15 a month on landlines, which are now a small share of the total.
Phone service is one part of your wider bills. Our guide to the average utility bill in Canada covers heat, electricity and water, and the average internet bill in Canada covers home internet.
Average cell phone bill by household type
The average cell phone bill in Canada ranges from about $69 a month for a person living alone to about $179 for a couple with children, because larger households pay for more lines. The table converts Statistics Canada's annual averages into monthly amounts.
| Household type | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| One person | $826 | $69 |
| Couple without children | $1,397 | $116 |
| Lone parent | $1,634 | $136 |
| Couple with children | $2,148 | $179 |
| All households | $1,494 | $125 |
Worked example: a family of four where two adults keep paid-off phones on $40 plans, two teens use $30 plans and one new phone is financed at $35 a month pays 2 × $40 + 2 × $30 + $35 = $175 a month. That is close to the average for couples with children. These plan prices are illustrative, not quotes.
Figures checked October 2026; confirm current numbers with Statistics Canada and the CRTC.
Average phone bill by province
Alberta households spend the most on cell service, about $147 a month, followed by Saskatchewan at about $141. Quebec households spend the least, about $104 a month. Differences reflect household size, how many lines people carry and local competition as much as plan prices.
The national average across the 10 provinces is about $125 a month. Like all survey averages, it includes households of every size and income, so compare it with your own household type rather than treating it as a typical plan price.
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How much is a phone plan in Canada now?
A phone plan in Canada costs less for the same data than it did a few years ago. The CRTC's 2026 market report says the mobile service price index fell nearly 40% between January 2021 and September 2025, while overall consumer prices rose 19%. Some plan prices rose again in 2025, and new phones have become more expensive.
That helps explain why many people do not feel their bill falling. Households have moved to larger data plans and newer phones, so a lower price per gigabyte can still mean a similar monthly bill. If you finance a phone through your carrier, the device payment often makes up a large part of what you pay each month.
Plan prices change often and promotions are common, so check current prices directly with providers at the time you shop. Any price you see quoted is a snapshot at the time of writing.
How to find the cheapest phone plans in Canada
The cheapest phone plans in Canada usually come from bringing your own phone, choosing a flanker or budget brand and buying only the data you use. Check three months of usage in your account before you switch, so you do not pay for gigabytes you never touch.
- Bring your own device (BYOD). Keeping a paid-off phone removes the device payment, which is often the biggest part of the bill.
- Compare flanker brands. The large carriers run lower-priced brands, such as Koodo and Public Mobile (TELUS), Fido and Chatr (Rogers) and Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile (Bell). Freedom Mobile is another national option.
- Match data to your use. Use Wi-Fi at home and work, and pick the plan size your past usage supports.
- Ask before you renew. Providers sometimes offer a better price when you say you are comparing other options.
- Combine lines. Multi-line or family discounts can lower the cost per phone.
The CRTC's Wireless Code also protects you. Providers must cap extra data charges at $50 a month and data roaming charges at $100 a month unless the account holder agrees to pay more, and they cannot charge early cancellation fees after two years.
How to budget for your phone bill
Budget for your phone as a fixed monthly bill, then review it once a year. Put the plan and any device payment on separate lines in your budget, so you can see when a phone is paid off and the bill should drop.
EMOH Pay's bill tracking reminds you before each payment is due, and its reports show your phone, internet and subscriptions side by side. It is free on iPhone, Android and the web. For more on recurring charges, see how much people spend on subscriptions and our list of monthly expenses. To see where phone costs sit in the bigger picture, read average monthly expenses in Canada.
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Get started free➜Average Phone Bill in Canada: frequently asked questions
How much is a cell phone bill per month in Canada?
About $125 a month per household for service, based on Statistics Canada's 2023 data. A person living alone averaged about $69 a month. Phone purchases are counted separately.
Why is my phone bill higher than the average?
Device financing, extra lines, large data plans and add-ons such as roaming or insurance all push a bill up. Look at your bill line by line to see which part is service and which is the phone.
Are phone plans getting cheaper in Canada?
For the same amount of data, yes. The CRTC reports the mobile service price index fell nearly 40% between January 2021 and September 2025, though some plan prices rose in 2025 and phones cost more.
Can my provider charge me unlimited overage fees?
No. Under the CRTC's Wireless Code, extra data charges are capped at $50 a month and data roaming at $100 a month unless the account holder agrees to pay more.
Is it cheaper to bring my own phone?
Usually. Without a device payment you pay only for service, and you can switch to a cheaper plan or provider at any time. The saving is largest once your phone is fully paid off.
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