Canada and the U.S. share more than just a border, in fact, sometimes it can feel like we share the same brain. From food and culture to music, it can often be hard to separate the countries, despite the stereotypes that both Canadians and Americans face.
And because we have so much in common with our neighbours down south, we’re pretty well-versed in what they offer, especially when it comes to shopping.
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That’s why Canadian insurance company HelloSafe put together a list of a few items worth buying from each side of the border, especially when taxes vary from one state to province.
5 ITEMS CANADIANS SHOULD BUY IN AMERICA
Beddings and towels: In terms of luxury brands, it’s much cheaper to buy a fresh new set of beddings or towels in the U.S. than in Canada. This especially applies to U.S. brands.
Toys: Since a lot of toy brands are made south of the border, it’s normal to find some toys cheaper in America. This works for brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, Little Tikes or American Girl. U.S. retailers that sell these toys have prices that can’t be beat elsewhere.
Jeans: There’s no better place to buy denim than the U.S. You will find plenty of discount denim at major retailers, such as Target and Walmart. But, America is also the perfect place to invest in more luxury jeans without breaking the bank. Some big brands are available in Canada but they’re much cheaper to buy in the U.S.
Footwear: If you’ve ever ordered shoes from an international website, you may have been surprised by unexpectedly high duties, this could sometimes result in double the price of the shoes altogether.
Electronics: There’s usually not a huge difference between what Canadians and Americans pay for large-scale home electronics. However, you can make the biggest savings on smaller electronics and accessories, such as GPS devices, memory cards, flash drives, video games and even wearable tech.
5 ITEMS AMERICANS SHOULD BUY IN CANADA
Cheese: Cheese is generally cheaper in Canada than in the U.S. According to HelloSafe, one kilogram of local cheese costs an average of $11.76 in Canada, while in the U.S., you’ll pay on average $13.22. It can be worth crossing the border if you buy in bulk and have a charcuterie board night coming up.
Tourist attractions and hotel rooms: On average, visiting top tourist attractions in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal could set you back about $23.10, according to HelloSafe. Meanwhile, the average is $43.16 in the U.S. Additionally, they found that hotel room prices in greater cities are 47 per cent more expensive in the U.S. than in Canada.
Mountain equipment: Canada is a leader in iconic outdoor spaces, including mountains. That’s why some of the best brands can only be found in Canada, like Mountain Equipment Co-op, which is apparently a top reference for mountain equipment and a good reason to cross the border if you’re American and love the outdoors.
New cars: Sometimes, it’s cheaper to buy a car in Canada than in the U.S. Even if it depends on the model of the car and where you are buying it.
A Volkswagen Golf or equivalent will cost about $23,000 in Canada compared to $26,870 in the U.S.
A Toyota Corolla or equivalent will cost approximately $21,603, while it will cost $24,902 on average south of the border.
Medicine: Medicine is apparently way cheaper in Canada than in the United States. According to the report, the difference in prices is so big that many Americans are buying their prescription drugs from their northern neighbours. An EpiPen, for instance, is about a third of the cost in Canada.
