The average Canadian family is 30% wealthier than their American cousins.
This is mainly because Americans carry far more debt than we do. The per capita personal debt in the U.S. is $40,250 (US Dollars) whereas in Canada the number sits at $23,460 (US Dollars). On average they live in bigger houses (2,520 sq. ft to our paltry 2000sq.ft) and they drive nicer cars than we do, but look where that has taken them. Note: These statistics all predate the housing and financial market meltdown of this year. More than 1 in 10 Americans now owe more on their mortgages than their homes are actually worth.
Source: http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20080625_50113_50113&page=1