Housing Crisis in Canada for Immigrants
What Internationally-Educated Physical Therapists Need to Know
Moving to Canada can be a life-changing career move for internationally-educated physical therapists: good healthcare jobs, solid workplace protections, and a high standard of living are attractive. But Canada’s housing market has been volatile in recent years, and for newcomers—often arriving with limited local credit history—the housing squeeze can be one of the biggest early shocks. This guide breaks down the housing situation, what it means for a PT’s budget, whether migrating still makes sense, and other countries you might consider.
Quick snapshot: Why the housing crisis is an urgent issue for immigrants in Canada
Major urban centres (Toronto, Vancouver) have long had severe affordability pressures and supply constraints; the federal and provincial governments continue to push policies to increase supply, but structural undersupply remains a long-term issue.
Rents and home prices spiked in the early 2020s; more recent data shows some cooling and even year-over-year rent decreases in specific quarters, but average rents remain well above what many newcomers expect.
Table of Contents
What the housing crisis in Canada looks like for newcomer PTs
High deposits & documentation requirements. Landlords frequently ask for credit checks, references, proof of steady income, and first/last months’ rent. New immigrants without Canadian credit or local references can be denied or forced to pay extra (co-signers, larger deposits).
Concentration in a few cities. Most new immigrants land in the largest job markets—Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary—where housing supply is tight relative to demand. The influx of newcomers has been studied as one factor in municipal housing dynamics.
Rental cost volatility. While there are signs of rent softening in some quarters (e.g., recent year-over-year decreases reported by Statistics Canada for select quarters), average rents remain high and vary a lot by neighbourhood and unit type.
Competition & limited affordable options. Affordable rentals and entry-level single-family homes are scarce in many CMAs (census metropolitan areas). Newcomers are often competing against established local renters and investors.
Overview of Physical Therapist Salary in Canada
What PTs typically earn:
Government and job-market sources show physiotherapists in Canada commonly earn roughly CAD $30–$56+ per hour, with median hourly wages around CAD $46 (updated surveys vary by source and province).
Annual physical therapist’s salary in Canada ranges from roughly CAD $45,000 to CAD $65,000 depending on full-time hours, province, public vs private sector, and experience.
Regional differences matter:
Alberta and some prairie provinces tend to offer higher wages or lower housing costs relative to big-city Ontario and BC, while Toronto and Vancouver generally have the highest absolute pay but also the highest living costs. If you’re budgeting for a first year, factor in provincial wage scales and whether you’ll work in a hospital (public sector) or private clinic—each pays differently.
Net earnings vs take-home affordability:
Hourly or annual salary figures don’t tell the whole story. New immigrants often face higher initial living costs (temporary accommodation, rental deposits, furnishing, transportation) and may not immediately qualify for high-paying clinical roles until credentialing and local licensing are complete. That “gap” period reduces the effective monthly cash flow available for rent/mortgage. (See budgeting tips below.)
Practical budgeting example (rough, for planning)
Median PT hourly: CAD $46/hr (full-time, ~35–40 hrs/wk) → gross monthly around CAD $7,000–8,000 before taxes.
Typical rent (major city): CAD $1,800–3,200 per month for one/two-bedrooms depending on city and neighbourhood.
Rule of thumb: Aim to keep housing costs ≤30–35% of gross income for comfort. In major Canadian cities, that target can be hard to meet immediately—expect to temporarily allocate a larger share of income to housing during the credentialing and job-settling period.
Pros and cons of migrating to Canada as a Physical Therapist
Pros
High demand and regulated career paths. Physiotherapy is a recognized, regulated profession with clear provincial licensing bodies—meaning once credentialed you have a stable job path.
Good public benefits and workplace protections. Health coverage and employment standards provide security many migrants value.
Competitive wages (relative to many origin countries). Even after taxes, wages for PTs in Canada are often higher than in the Philippines and other lower-income source countries.
Cons
Housing affordability & tight rental markets in top job cities. As outlined above, newcomers often face higher initial costs and limited options.
Credentialing delays and costs. Licensing with provincial colleges (document evaluation, bridging programs, exams) can take months and requires fees—during which income may be lower or unstable.
Regional wage & cost imbalance. High wages in big cities are often offset by higher costs; smaller provinces may offer better net affordability but fewer job openings.
- Upfront cost only to have a long processing time before you can actually practice. Estimate time before you can practice is 24 months or more depending on how fast you pass your PCE.
Alternative countries for PTs looking for jobs abroad
If the housing crisis in Canada and job market pushes you to consider alternatives, these countries commonly appear on PT migration shortlists (each has its own licensing and immigration path):
United States: High earning potential in many states (especially for DPT-trained and specialized clinicians), but licensing varies by state and the US has complex visa rules but there are many agencies and direct hire companies that can help you with the visa sponsorship. The US can offer higher salaries but also higher private healthcare complexity.
Australia: Strong demand for allied health workers, transparent registration processes via AHPRA/therapeutic bodies, and generally good wages; however, major cities (Sydney, Melbourne) also have high housing costs.
United Kingdom: NHS roles can provide steady employment and benefits; salaries for banded NHS PT roles are predictable, though London is expensive. Visa routes vary.
New Zealand: Often more welcoming for healthcare professionals with attractive lifestyle and lower population density; pay can be lower than Canada/Australia, but housing in Auckland has improved relative to previous years.
(These are general comparisons; licensing, language, and immigration rules change frequently—research country-specific PT registration and visa pathways before deciding.)
Final thoughts & next steps
Canada still offers strong long-term career prospects for physiotherapists, but the housing situation adds complexity to the immigration decision. If you’re serious about migrating:
Map the full cost of migration: credentialing fees, exam timelines, temporary housing, deposits.
Target provinces that match your priorities: high income vs lower cost of living vs faster licensing pathways.
Talk to other internationally-educated PTs: communities, social media groups, and professional networks offer real-world advice and potential housing leads.
Consider alternatives if housing risk or long waiting times make Canada a poor short-term fit—Australia, the US, the UK, or New Zealand may align better depending on your preferences.
