As single, monthly food expenses should be $100-200 (in 2002-2004) in US, now it needs much more. I went to Chicago last week, the 12 eggs are $99, the 1 galon milk is $2.99. The food was still cheaper from this point. Gas in US now is $4.2/galon now. But I will say the pressure in US as a Chinese (without greencard) is higher than in Canada with maple card. Canada is trying to make even between rich and poor by its tax and social system. US is free, free to be rich and free to be poor. Some areas in Chicago are very poor and bad. You cannot find that bad large area in GTA.