Is it cheaper to shop in Canada or the US? The real math

An Air Jordan 1 is CAD 26.68 cheaper on nike.com/ca than on nike.com after currency conversion. The Canadian sticker looks higher until you convert the US greenback at 1.4145. On the brands' own sites, Canada is not the expensive side any more.

Nike and Canada Goose set their Canadian prices below their US prices converted.

If you buy a cotton T-shirt under USD 110 at a counter in New York City, local tax drops to zero. That is where an American trip genuinely wins.

Quick facts

• Exchange rate: 1.4145 Canadian dollars per US dollar on 25 September 2026.
• Jordan 1 gap: CAD 26.68 lower on nike.com/ca than on nike.com converted.
• Canada Goose gap: CAD 685.48 lower on the Canadian site for an Expedition Parka.
• New York clothing tax: 0 per cent on items under USD 110, and 8.875 per cent at or above.
• Ontario sales tax: 13 per cent HST on a Canadian sticker.
• On within: 499 pairs of men's sneakers at Utopia and WDLT117, read 26 September 2026.

The exchange rate makes Canadian retail lower

The Bank of Canada daily average rate sat at 1.4145 on 25 September 2026. On nike.com, the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG lists at USD 185, or CAD 261.68, while nike.com/ca charges CAD 235.

The women's Air Force 1 '07 lists at CAD 150 against USD 115 in America, which converts to CAD 162.67. The Dunk Low Retro lists at CAD 150 against USD 120, or CAD 169.74.

Canada Goose sells the Expedition Parka for CAD 1,995 in Canada and USD 1,895 in the United States, which equals CAD 2,680.48. That makes the Canadian price CAD 685.48 lower. For more on outerwear, read Moncler vs Canada Goose.

How sales tax changes the counter total

Ontario charges 13 per cent HST on a Canadian sticker, lifting the CAD 235 Jordan 1 to CAD 265.55. The Expedition Parka rises to CAD 2,254.35.

New York City charges 8.875 per cent sales tax, pushing the USD 185 Jordan 1 to USD 201.42, or CAD 284.91. Even with Ontario tax, CAD 265.55 in Toronto beats CAD 284.91 in New York City.

New York City exempts clothing and footwear under USD 110 an item from sales tax. In a New York shop, a USD 85 Kith tee pays zero tax, which is where an American checkout wins.

What happens when an American parcel crosses the border

Our duty note covers parcels only, as explained in duty on clothes into Canada. A courier parcel from the United States is duty and tax free up to CAD 40, taxable to CAD 150, and pays duty and tax above CAD 150.

Most clothing pays 17 or 18 per cent duty unless it is of Canadian, US or Mexican origin under CUSMA, which is Free. Since 8 September 2026, a 50 per cent counter tariff applies only to listed clothing made in the United States, including cotton T-shirts. Footwear is not on the list, and rubber soled shoes pay 17.5 per cent.

Supreme charges a flat USD 20 for UPS expedited shipping to Canada and a Canadian surcharge whose amount its FAQ does not print. A Small Box Tee at USD 64 plus shipping comes to USD 84, or CAD 118.82 before that surcharge. By Supreme's FAQ, nothing more is due on delivery.

The Canadian sticker only looks higher until you multiply the American price by the exchange rate.

Resale shelves price what retail no longer has

Resale prices reflect scarcity rather than currency, explaining why are Jordans so expensive.

On 20 September 2026, Utopia on Cumberland Street held 243 Jordan 1 pairs at a CAD 350 median, running CAD 88.32 over converted American retail. That shelf also held 75 Supreme T-shirts priced at CAD 100 to 550 with a CAD 200 median, detailed in why is Supreme so expensive.

For Kith, 27 T-shirts showed a CAD 225 median, which is CAD 104.77 over the USD 85 Heathrow tee, as examined in why is Kith so expensive. On the men's sneakers shelf in Toronto, within counts 499 pairs between Utopia and WDLT117 at CAD 100 to 6,000. You can also view Jordan on the Toronto shelf and Supreme on the Toronto shelf.

What to check before you order from a US site

First check whether the brand operates a Canadian site, as Nike and Canada Goose do. For those two, the Canadian sticker beat the converted US one on 26 September 2026.

Next verify where the garment was made by reading the neck label. Listed clothing made in the United States faces a 50 per cent counter tariff. A courier parcel from the United States is duty free up to CAD 40, while post drops that line to CAD 20.

Common questions

Is it cheaper to shop in Canada or the USA?

On the brands' own sites, for the Nike and Canada Goose pieces read on 26 September 2026, Canada is cheaper once you convert. A pair of Jordan 1s costs CAD 26.68 less on nike.com/ca than on nike.com. Where the United States wins is on clothing under USD 110 in New York City, where sales tax drops to zero.

Is it more expensive to shop in Toronto than the states?

Toronto is less expensive for retail brand purchases, but more expensive on the secondary resale market. A Canada Goose Expedition Parka is CAD 685.48 less in Canada before tax. On resale racks at Utopia, Jordan 1s asked a CAD 350 median on 20 September 2026 because secondary markets price scarcity.

Are Jordans cheaper in Canada or the US?

The Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG is CAD 26.68 cheaper on nike.com/ca than on nike.com. Nike lists the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG at CAD 235 in Canada, while the American USD 185 sticker equals CAD 261.68. Even after adding 13 per cent Ontario HST, the Canadian price beats the New York register total.

Is it worth it to shop in the US from Canada?

Only for some things. Nike and Canada Goose price their Canadian sites below their US prices converted. The US wins on clothing under USD 110 in New York City, where sales tax drops to zero.

Which brands are cheaper in Canada than the USA?

Nike and Canada Goose, on their own sites. An Air Jordan 1 is CAD 26.68 lower on nike.com/ca. A Canada Goose Expedition Parka is CAD 685.48 lower.

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