✦ Cost of living
Toronto
Toronto, Canada
US = 100
In plain terms: Toronto is about 19% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,900/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing152+52%
- Food & groceries108+8%
- Transport100−0%
- Utilities105+5%
- Healthcare85−15%
- Goods & services110+10%
Is Toronto expensive?
Yes, moderately. Toronto indexes at 119 against a US average of 100 — roughly 19% above it. That is above average without being in the top bracket, and which neighbourhood you rent in decides most of the gap.
Of the 87 cities we track, Toronto ranks #10 by overall cost — 77 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Toronto costs
One person
$3,440/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$4,730/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$8,560/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,500 | $1,900 | $3,800 |
| Food & groceries | $500 | $720 | $1,210 |
| Transport | $600 | $880 | $1,480 |
| Utilities | $210 | $320 | $530 |
| Healthcare | $240 | $350 | $590 |
| Goods & services | $390 | $560 | $950 |
| Total per month | $3,440 | $4,730 | $8,560 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Toronto
Canada's diverse economic engine — a smooth immigration path and strong salaries, weighed against steep rents and long winters.
- Currency
- Canadian dollar ($ CAD)
- Languages
- English, French
- Time zone
- UTC-5
- Internet
- 180 Mbps
- English
- Native language
- Safety
- 70/100
- Climate
- ❄ -4°C · ☀ 22°C · 100 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 120V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Downtown · Leslieville · West End
About
“The Six”
Canada's diverse economic engine — a smooth immigration path and strong salaries, weighed against steep rents and long winters.
- Currency
- Canadian dollar · CAD
- Languages
- English, French
- Coordinates
- 43.65, -79.38
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
33%
Income tax
progressive
5%
VAT / sales
26.5%
Corporate
$3,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; provinces add ~10–25%.
Visas & residency
Express Entry points system; Provincial Nominee Programs.
✈ eTA for short visits from many countries.
Permanent residence after ~0 yrs. Citizenship after ~3 yrs. PR via Express Entry; citizenship after ~3 years.
Quality of life
Quality of life
72/100
Safety
70/100
Healthcare
82/100
Pollution
40/100
Internet
180 Mbps
Jan avg
-4 °C
Jul avg
+22 °C
Sunny days
100/yr
Walkability
80/100
Public transit
78/100
Family-friendly
72/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Native
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 90
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Toronto without a car?
79/100
Car-free score
80/100
Walkability
78/100
Public transport
Yes — Toronto scores 79/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Toronto indexes at 100, level with the US average. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Toronto ranks #22 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Toronto — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$1,900
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,500
- Inexpensive meal$18
- Monthly transit pass$115
- Utilities (monthly)$150
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Toronto, CA expensive to live in?
Toronto, CA's cost-of-living index is 119 (US average = 100) — about 19% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #10 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,440 a month and a family of four around $8,560, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Toronto, CA?
Toronto, CA's cost-of-living index is 119 (US average = 100) — about 19% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,900 per month.
What are the average living costs in Toronto, CA?
Living costs in Toronto, CA are about 19% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 119 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,900. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Toronto, CA?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,900 per month, and around $1,500 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Canada?
Canada has a top income-tax rate of 33% and a VAT or sales tax of 5%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Toronto, CA?
Toronto, CA averages around -4 °C in January and +22 °C in July, with roughly 100 sunny days a year.
Is Toronto, CA safe?
Toronto, CA scores 70 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Toronto, CA without a car?
Toronto, CA scores 79/100 on our car-free score — 80/100 for walkability and 78/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Toronto with…
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.