Cost of Living · Updated October 25, 2026 · 15 min read
Cost of Living in Ontario (2026): Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton Compared
Ontario's cost of living ranges from $3,023 a month for a single renter in Hamilton to $3,538 in Toronto, against $3,089 for Canada as a whole. Toronto is 15% more than the national average, while Hamilton is below it.
Ontario has no single cost of living: Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton differ by hundreds of dollars a month. This guide uses Numbeo prices for October 2026 for those three cities, sets them next to the Canadian average and Montreal, and covers Ontario's taxes, rules and rents.
Ontario cost of living at a glance
How the other places compare with Toronto, overall
Ottawa
- Costs
- About the same
- Pay
- 1% higher
Hamilton
- Costs
- 10% lower
- Pay
- 7% lower
Canada
- Costs
- 6% lower
- Pay
- 9% lower
Montreal
- Costs
- 16% lower
- Pay
- 12% lower
Average gap from Toronto across 27 price lines (rent, food, transport, bills, fun, childcare and tax), each counted equally, so it shows direction, not your own bill. Pay is the average of average earnings and net salary. Red means higher and green means lower for costs; for pay the colours are flipped, because earning more is the good outcome.
| Summary | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly budget (renter, before income tax) | |||||
| Single renter | $3,538 | $3,379 4% lower than Toronto | $3,023 15% lower than Toronto | $3,089 13% lower than Toronto | $2,926 17% lower than Toronto |
| Couple | $4,535 | $4,402 3% lower than Toronto | $3,937 13% lower than Toronto | $4,036 11% lower than Toronto | $3,860 15% lower than Toronto |
| Family of four (no childcare or car) | $5,512 | $5,282 4% lower than Toronto | $5,038 9% lower than Toronto | $4,992 9% lower than Toronto | $4,608 16% lower than Toronto |
| Housing | |||||
| 1 bedroom, city centre | $2,265 | $2,047 10% lower than Toronto | $1,778 22% lower than Toronto | $1,799 21% lower than Toronto | $1,775 22% lower than Toronto |
| 1 bedroom, outside centre | $2,029 | $1,726 15% lower than Toronto | $1,622 20% lower than Toronto | $1,586 22% lower than Toronto | $1,375 32% lower than Toronto |
| 3 bedroom, outside centre | $3,015 | $2,657 12% lower than Toronto | $2,634 13% lower than Toronto | $2,484 18% lower than Toronto | $2,303 24% lower than Toronto |
| Typical home price | $940,800 | $634,000 33% lower than Toronto | — | — | $649,000 31% lower than Toronto |
| Apartment price per sq ft, centre | $998 | $601 40% lower than Toronto | $410 59% lower than Toronto | $610 39% lower than Toronto | $658 34% lower than Toronto |
| Property tax rate | 0.77% | 1.23% 59% higher than Toronto | — | — | 0.76% 1% lower than Toronto |
| Food and drink | |||||
| Groceries, one adult (full cart) | $420 | $458 9% higher than Toronto | $405 4% lower than Toronto | $446 6% higher than Toronto | $428 2% higher than Toronto |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $26.50 6% higher than Toronto |
| Dinner for two, mid-range | $110 | $110 | $95 14% lower than Toronto | $100 9% lower than Toronto | $102 7% lower than Toronto |
| Pint of draught beer | $9.00 | $8.00 11% lower than Toronto | $7.25 19% lower than Toronto | $8.00 11% lower than Toronto | $9.00 |
| Cappuccino | $5.70 | $5.80 2% higher than Toronto | $4.91 14% lower than Toronto | $5.34 6% lower than Toronto | $5.45 4% lower than Toronto |
| Transportation | |||||
| Monthly transit pass | $156 | $138 12% lower than Toronto | $125 20% lower than Toronto | $101 36% lower than Toronto | $110 29% lower than Toronto |
| Gasoline per litre | $1.76 | $1.69 4% lower than Toronto | $1.68 5% lower than Toronto | $1.70 3% lower than Toronto | $1.89 7% higher than Toronto |
| Car insurance, per year (midpoint of range) | $2,175 | $2,175 | $2,175 | — | $850 61% lower than Toronto |
| Bills | |||||
| Utilities (915 sq ft) | $172 | $194 13% higher than Toronto | $216 26% higher than Toronto | $209 22% higher than Toronto | $110 36% lower than Toronto |
| Mobile plan | $46 | $52 12% higher than Toronto | $59 28% higher than Toronto | $59 29% higher than Toronto | $49 6% higher than Toronto |
| Home internet | $68 | $72 5% higher than Toronto | $71 3% higher than Toronto | $84 23% higher than Toronto | $60 12% lower than Toronto |
| Fun and travel | |||||
| Movie ticket | $18.00 | $18.00 | $14.75 18% lower than Toronto | $16.00 11% lower than Toronto | $16.00 11% lower than Toronto |
| Gym membership | $52 | $64 23% higher than Toronto | $47 9% lower than Toronto | $54 4% higher than Toronto | $43 17% lower than Toronto |
| Night out for two | $164 | $162 2% lower than Toronto | $139 15% lower than Toronto | $148 10% lower than Toronto | $152 7% lower than Toronto |
| Hotel average daily rate | $261 | — | — | $258 1% lower than Toronto | $234 10% lower than Toronto |
| Family | |||||
| Regulated childcare, per child per day | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 | $20.00 9% lower than Toronto | $9.65 56% lower than Toronto |
| Private preschool, per month | $1,051 | $1,156 10% higher than Toronto | $694 34% lower than Toronto | $993 6% lower than Toronto | $723 31% lower than Toronto |
| Pay and tax | |||||
| Average yearly earnings | $71,173 | $71,173 | $71,173 | $69,328 3% lower than Toronto | $66,747 6% lower than Toronto |
| Net salary per month (Numbeo) | $5,022 | $5,163 3% higher than Toronto | $4,274 15% lower than Toronto | $4,221 16% lower than Toronto | $4,159 17% lower than Toronto |
| Minimum wage per hour | $17.95 | $17.95 | $17.95 | $18.15 1% higher than Toronto | $16.60 8% lower than Toronto |
| Tax and payroll on $100,000 | $27,291 | $27,291 | $27,291 | $27,291 | $31,993 17% higher than Toronto |
| Sales tax | 13% HST | 13% HST | 13% HST | 5% to 15% | 5% GST + 9.975% QST |
| Salary needed (single person) | |||||
| To break even, outside the centre | $54,000 | $50,000 7% lower than Toronto | $47,000 13% lower than Toronto | $47,000 13% lower than Toronto | $43,000 20% lower than Toronto |
| To live comfortably in the centre | $71,000 | $67,000 6% lower than Toronto | $59,000 17% lower than Toronto | $61,000 14% lower than Toronto | $61,000 14% lower than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo, 24-25 October 2026 (CAD). Budgets are modelled from those prices (see the monthly budget section), exclude income tax, and are for renters. Net salary is Numbeo’s reported average after tax, a sample average and not Statistics Canada data. Average earnings are Statistics Canada (March 2026), tax uses 2026 brackets, and salary needed comes from the model in the salary sections below. A dash means no comparable figure is published for that place. The ▲ and ▼ percentages show how much higher or lower each place is than Toronto, the first column; for pay rows higher is better, for costs lower is better.
Ranking: nine Canadian cities, most to least expensive
| City | Single renter | 1 bed, centre | Groceries (staples) | Net salary | Left after budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $3,754 | $2,507 | $228 | $5,132 | $1,378 |
| Toronto (this guide) | $3,538 | $2,265 | $196 | $5,022 | $1,484 |
| Victoria | $3,465 | $2,179 | $231 | $4,525 | $1,060 |
| Halifax | $3,381 | $2,060 | $222 | $3,900 | $519 |
| Ottawa | $3,379 | $2,047 | $214 | $5,163 | $1,784 |
| Calgary | $3,105 | $1,736 | $220 | $4,372 | $1,267 |
| Hamilton | $3,023 | $1,778 | $189 | $4,274 | $1,251 |
| Edmonton | $2,960 | $1,539 | $201 | $4,855 | $1,895 |
| Montreal | $2,926 | $1,775 | $200 | $4,159 | $1,233 |
“Left after budget” is Numbeo’s average monthly net salary minus the modelled single-renter budget. It is a rough gauge of breathing room, not a savings rate, because averages hide who actually earns what.
What does a month cost in Ontario?
A single renter needs about $3,538 a month in Toronto before income tax, a couple about $4,535, and a family of four about $5,512. For a single renter that is 5% more than Ottawa ($3,379).
- Rent
- Groceries
- Utilities, phone, internet
- Transit
- Eating and drinking out
- Gym and movies
Built from Numbeo’s October 2026 prices. Excludes income tax, childcare, car costs, clothing, and travel. Hover or tap a bar for the line-by-line split.
- Single renter: 1 bedroom in the city centre, one transit pass, eating out about once a week plus coffees.
- Couple: 1 bedroom in the city centre, two transit passes, a few nights out a month.
- Family of four: 3 bedroom outside the centre, two adult passes, 2.7 adults' worth of groceries, no childcare or car.
Hamilton, a GO train ride from Toronto, has the lowest everyday costs of the three. Ottawa has the highest net salary of any city we track ($5,163 a month), driven by the public sector, which gives it the second largest cushion after the modelled budget ($1,784).
Common monthly expenses in Ontario
A single renter in Toronto spends about $3,746 a month on the essentials, a couple about $4,911, and a family of four with one child in childcare about $6,573. Rent is 60% of the single budget, groceries 11%, and transport 4%.
| Monthly expense | Single | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $2,265 | $2,265 | $3,015 |
| Utilities, phone, internet | $286 | $333 | $376 |
| Groceries | $420 | $755 | $1,133 |
| Transit | $156 | $312 | $312 |
| Eating and drinking out | $305 | $659 | $429 |
| Gym and movies | $106 | $211 | $247 |
| Clothing and shoes | $48 | $96 | $144 |
| Dental, vision, prescriptions | $60 | $120 | $180 |
| Household, subscriptions, personal care | $100 | $160 | $260 |
| Childcare | — | — | $477 |
| Total per month | $3,746 | $4,911 | $6,573 |
| Salary needed to break even | $58,000 | $73,000 | $101,000 |
Single and couple: one-bedroom in the city centre, transit passes. Family: three-bedroom outside the centre, one child in regulated childcare at about $22.00 a day, transit passes. Rent, groceries, utilities, transit, dining and leisure come from Numbeo’s October 2026 prices. Clothing (two pairs of jeans, two dresses or tops, running shoes and business shoes a year per adult), health costs ($60 an adult a month for dental, vision and prescriptions), and household items ($100 to $260) are our assumptions. “Salary needed to break even” is the gross pay whose after-tax income equals the total, with nothing saved.
See also: monthly expenses in Canada.
Rent in Ontario
A one bedroom in the city centre averages $2,265 a month in Toronto, 11% more than Ottawa ($2,047). Outside the centre it drops to $2,029, and a three bedroom outside the centre is $3,015.
| Monthly rent | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom, city centre | $2,265 | $2,047 10% lower than Toronto | $1,778 22% lower than Toronto | $1,799 21% lower than Toronto | $1,775 22% lower than Toronto |
| 1 bedroom, outside centre | $2,029 | $1,726 15% lower than Toronto | $1,622 20% lower than Toronto | $1,586 22% lower than Toronto | $1,375 32% lower than Toronto |
| 3 bedroom, city centre | $3,842 | $3,238 16% lower than Toronto | $2,914 24% lower than Toronto | $2,864 25% lower than Toronto | $3,054 21% lower than Toronto |
| 3 bedroom, outside centre | $3,015 | $2,657 12% lower than Toronto | $2,634 13% lower than Toronto | $2,484 18% lower than Toronto | $2,303 24% lower than Toronto |
| Average asking rent, 1 bed (market data) | $2,400 | $1,900 21% lower than Toronto | $1,700 29% lower than Toronto | — | $1,600 33% lower than Toronto |
| Average asking rent, 2 bed (market data) | $2,700 | $2,300 15% lower than Toronto | $2,100 22% lower than Toronto | — | $2,050 24% lower than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
City-centre and outside-centre rents are Numbeo samples. The “market data” rows are average asking rents from this site’s city comparison data (Rentals.ca and CMHC-based). Asking rents run higher than what sitting tenants pay.
Toronto's city-centre one bedroom is $2,265, Ottawa's $2,047, and Hamilton's $1,778. Outside the centre, Hamilton is $1,622.
Ontario's 2026 rent increase guideline is 2.1%, but units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt, which covers most new condo rentals. Landlords can ask for a last month's rent deposit but not a damage deposit.
See also: rent in Toronto.
Buying a home in Ontario
The typical Toronto home is about $940,800 (benchmark, TRREB, June 2026). Apartments sell for about $998 a square foot in the centre of Toronto, 66% more than Ottawa ($601).
| Buying | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home price | $940,800 | $634,000 33% lower than Toronto | — | — | $649,000 31% lower than Toronto |
| Detached | $1,360,000 | $725,000 47% lower than Toronto | — | — | $649,000 52% lower than Toronto |
| Condo apartment | $631,000 | $385,500 39% lower than Toronto | — | — | $435,000 31% lower than Toronto |
| Price per sq ft, apartment in centre | $998 | $601 40% lower than Toronto | $410 59% lower than Toronto | $610 39% lower than Toronto | $658 34% lower than Toronto |
| Price per sq ft, apartment outside centre | $882 | $582 34% lower than Toronto | $349 60% lower than Toronto | $490 44% lower than Toronto | $493 44% lower than Toronto |
| Property tax rate | 0.77% | 1.23% 59% higher than Toronto | — | — | 0.76% 1% lower than Toronto |
| Annual tax on a typical home | $7,244 | $7,780 7% higher than Toronto | — | — | $4,932 32% lower than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Home prices are MLS board figures, each on the basis shown in our city comparison tool (benchmark, median or average, so compare within a row with care). Price per square foot is Numbeo’s apartment figure.
Ontario home prices run from the GTA benchmark of $940,800 to Ottawa's $634,000 (OREB, July 2026). Property tax is highest in Ottawa at 1.23% against Toronto's 0.77%, and Toronto buyers pay land transfer tax twice.
See our Ottawa vs Toronto comparison and the best neighbourhoods in Ottawa.
See also: home prices in Canada.
Groceries in Ontario
A month of staples for one adult costs about $196 in Toronto, 8% less than Ottawa ($214). Scaled to a real shopping cart that is nearer $420 a month for one adult.
| Item | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | $3.50 | $3.30 6% lower than Toronto | $2.75 21% lower than Toronto | $3.12 11% lower than Toronto | $3.20 9% lower than Toronto |
| White bread (1 lb loaf) | $3.50 | $3.83 9% higher than Toronto | $2.67 24% lower than Toronto | $3.37 4% lower than Toronto | $3.99 14% higher than Toronto |
| White rice (1 lb) | $1.41 | $1.88 33% higher than Toronto | $1.98 40% higher than Toronto | $2.29 62% higher than Toronto | $2.05 45% higher than Toronto |
| Eggs (dozen) | $5.01 | $4.60 8% lower than Toronto | $4.64 7% lower than Toronto | $4.98 1% lower than Toronto | $5.12 2% higher than Toronto |
| Cheese (1 lb) | $5.98 | $7.39 24% higher than Toronto | $5.12 14% lower than Toronto | $6.84 14% higher than Toronto | $8.40 40% higher than Toronto |
| Chicken fillets (1 lb) | $7.31 | $7.54 3% higher than Toronto | $7.23 1% lower than Toronto | $7.61 4% higher than Toronto | $7.41 1% higher than Toronto |
| Beef (1 lb) | $9.34 | $11.97 28% higher than Toronto | $9.33 | $9.76 4% higher than Toronto | $8.84 5% lower than Toronto |
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.35 | $2.38 1% higher than Toronto | $2.53 8% higher than Toronto | $2.59 10% higher than Toronto | $2.05 13% lower than Toronto |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.76 | $0.82 8% higher than Toronto | $0.83 9% higher than Toronto | $0.90 18% higher than Toronto | $0.95 25% higher than Toronto |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.25 | $2.44 8% higher than Toronto | $2.55 13% higher than Toronto | $2.45 9% higher than Toronto | $2.19 3% lower than Toronto |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.67 | $2.25 16% lower than Toronto | $2.43 9% lower than Toronto | $2.56 4% lower than Toronto | $1.98 26% lower than Toronto |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.19 | $1.69 42% higher than Toronto | $1.71 44% higher than Toronto | $1.68 41% higher than Toronto | $1.22 3% higher than Toronto |
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.05 | $1.49 42% higher than Toronto | $1.26 20% higher than Toronto | $1.59 51% higher than Toronto | $1.16 10% higher than Toronto |
| Lettuce (head) | $3.18 | $3.62 14% higher than Toronto | $2.84 11% lower than Toronto | $3.64 14% higher than Toronto | $3.44 8% higher than Toronto |
| Staples basket, one adult a month | $196 | $214 9% higher than Toronto | $189 4% lower than Toronto | $208 6% higher than Toronto | $200 2% higher than Toronto |
| Typical full grocery bill, one adult (basket x 2.14) | $420 | $458 9% higher than Toronto | $405 4% lower than Toronto | $446 6% higher than Toronto | $428 2% higher than Toronto |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | $20.00 | $17.25 14% lower than Toronto | $19.99 | $18.72 6% lower than Toronto | $15.00 25% lower than Toronto |
| Domestic beer, store bought 16.9 oz | $3.09 | $3.63 17% higher than Toronto | $3.70 20% higher than Toronto | $4.02 30% higher than Toronto | $3.21 4% higher than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo supermarket prices, October 2026. The staples basket is the quantity of each item above a single adult eats in a month. Staples are about half of a real cart, so the full grocery bill scales the basket by 2.14, calibrated to the $420 Toronto single-adult figure used on our city comparison guides.
Hamilton has the cheapest staples basket of the nine cities at $189, then Toronto at $196 and Ottawa at $214. Ontario has no sales tax on basic groceries.
See also: grocery prices in Montreal.
Transportation in Ontario
A monthly transit pass is $156 in Toronto and gasoline is $1.76 a litre. Ottawa is $138 for a pass and $1.69 a litre.
| Getting around | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single transit fare | $3.35 | $4.15 24% higher than Toronto | $3.75 12% higher than Toronto | $3.50 4% higher than Toronto | $3.75 12% higher than Toronto |
| Monthly pass | $156.00 | $138.00 12% lower than Toronto | $125.40 20% lower than Toronto | $100.50 36% lower than Toronto | $110.00 29% lower than Toronto |
| Taxi start | $4.25 | $3.80 11% lower than Toronto | $4.90 15% higher than Toronto | $4.40 4% higher than Toronto | $4.50 6% higher than Toronto |
| Taxi per mile | $2.82 | $3.38 20% higher than Toronto | $2.90 3% higher than Toronto | $3.38 20% higher than Toronto | $3.30 17% higher than Toronto |
| Gasoline per litre | $1.76 | $1.69 4% lower than Toronto | $1.68 5% lower than Toronto | $1.70 3% lower than Toronto | $1.89 7% higher than Toronto |
| New VW Golf or similar | $37,000 | $38,290 3% higher than Toronto | $37,000 | $39,000 5% higher than Toronto | $39,370 6% higher than Toronto |
| New Toyota Corolla or similar | $30,251 | $31,359 4% higher than Toronto | $30,813 2% higher than Toronto | $29,636 2% lower than Toronto | $29,935 1% lower than Toronto |
| Driving 1,000 km a month: fuel plus insurance | $339 | $333 2% lower than Toronto | $332 2% lower than Toronto | — | $241 29% lower than Toronto |
| Typical annual car insurance (published range; % uses the midpoint) | $1,700 to $2,650 | $1,700 to $2,650 | $1,700 to $2,650 | — | $700 to $1,000 61% lower than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo transport prices. Driving cost assumes 1,000 km a month at 9 L/100 km plus the midpoint of the typical annual insurance range, which is published as a range because sources disagree (WealthNorth, Rates.ca and others, 2025-2026) and depends on driver, vehicle and postal code. Excludes the car payment, parking and maintenance.
Ontario's passes differ widely: Ottawa's is $138, Toronto's $156, Hamilton's $125. Auto insurance is among the highest in Canada, with published averages from about $1,700 to $2,650 a year.
See also: transportation costs in Toronto.
Restaurants, coffee and drinks in Ontario
An inexpensive restaurant meal is $25.00 and a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant is $110 in Toronto, against $25.00 and $110 in Ottawa. A pint is $9.00 and a cappuccino $5.70.
| Eating and drinking out | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $26.50 6% higher than Toronto |
| Mid-range dinner for two, three courses | $110.00 | $109.50 | $95.00 14% lower than Toronto | $100.00 9% lower than Toronto | $102.00 7% lower than Toronto |
| Fast-food combo | $15.00 | $15.00 | $17.00 13% higher than Toronto | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Pint of domestic draught | $9.00 | $8.00 11% lower than Toronto | $7.25 19% lower than Toronto | $8.00 11% lower than Toronto | $9.00 |
| Imported beer, 12 oz | $10.00 | $9.00 10% lower than Toronto | $8.75 13% lower than Toronto | $8.00 20% lower than Toronto | $10.00 |
| Cappuccino | $5.70 | $5.80 2% higher than Toronto | $4.91 14% lower than Toronto | $5.34 6% lower than Toronto | $5.45 4% lower than Toronto |
| Soft drink, 12 oz | $2.94 | $2.87 2% lower than Toronto | $3.11 6% higher than Toronto | $2.94 | $2.80 5% lower than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo restaurant prices before tax and tip. Add provincial sales tax (5% to 15%) and a 15% to 20% tip on a sit-down meal.
Dinner for two runs $110 in Toronto, $110 in Ottawa and $95 in Hamilton. The 13% HST applies to meals.
See also: restaurant prices in Canada.
Utilities, phone and internet in Ontario
Electricity, heat and water for a 915 sq ft apartment, a mobile plan and home internet come to $286 a month in Toronto, 10% less than Ottawa ($317).
| Monthly bills | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, heat, water, garbage (915 sq ft) | $171.96 | $193.74 13% higher than Toronto | $216.13 26% higher than Toronto | $209.00 22% higher than Toronto | $110.17 36% lower than Toronto |
| Mobile plan, 10GB or more | $46.20 | $51.77 12% higher than Toronto | $59.12 28% higher than Toronto | $59.42 29% higher than Toronto | $48.75 6% higher than Toronto |
| Home internet, 60 Mbps or more | $68.31 | $71.81 5% higher than Toronto | $70.67 3% higher than Toronto | $83.69 23% higher than Toronto | $60.45 12% lower than Toronto |
| Total | $286.47 | $317.32 11% higher than Toronto | $345.92 21% higher than Toronto | $352.11 23% higher than Toronto | $219.37 23% lower than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Bills run $286 a month in Toronto, $317 in Ottawa and $346 in Hamilton. Ontario's time-of-use electricity pricing rewards off-peak use.
See also: utility bills in Montreal.
Hotels and travel in Ontario
Ontario hotel prices follow the city: Avison Young's 2025 average daily rate for Toronto was $261, and CoStar reported $308 for August 2026. We do not have a like-for-like published rate for Ottawa or Hamilton, so check current rates before booking.
| Hotels | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily rate, latest published | $261 | — | — | $258 1% lower than Toronto | $234 10% lower than Toronto |
| Two-night weekend stay | $522 | — | — | $516 1% lower than Toronto | $468 10% lower than Toronto |
| Basis | 2025 full year, Avison Young (August 2026 monthly: $308, CoStar) | — | — | National average, September 2026, CoStar | 2025 full year, Avison Young (August 2026 monthly: $273, CoStar) |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Average daily rate (ADR) is what hotels actually collect per occupied room across the whole market, not the cheapest listing, and the periods differ by city because published data does. Sources: Avison Young 2025 market review, CoStar (formerly STR) monthly releases, Destination Greater Victoria. Do not compare a 2025 average with a 2026 peak month.
Niagara Falls, Muskoka and Prince Edward County have their own seasonal pricing, with peak summer rates well above the cities.
See also: hotel rates in Toronto.
Movies, entertainment and things to do in Ontario
A new-release movie ticket is $18.00 in Toronto, a gym membership $52 a month, and a night out for two (dinner, two movies, two pints) about $164, compared with $162 in Ottawa.
| Leisure and shopping | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinema ticket, new release | $18.00 | $18.00 | $14.75 18% lower than Toronto | $16.00 11% lower than Toronto | $16.00 11% lower than Toronto |
| Monthly gym membership | $51.59 | $63.59 23% higher than Toronto | $47.17 9% lower than Toronto | $53.79 4% higher than Toronto | $42.89 17% lower than Toronto |
| Tennis court, 1 hour on a weekend | $33.20 | $39.61 19% higher than Toronto | $25.00 25% lower than Toronto | $27.20 18% lower than Toronto | $27.44 17% lower than Toronto |
| Night out: dinner for two, two movie tickets, two pints | $164 | $162 2% lower than Toronto | $139 15% lower than Toronto | $148 10% lower than Toronto | $152 7% lower than Toronto |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar) | $74.21 | $81.00 9% higher than Toronto | $68.33 8% lower than Toronto | $76.57 3% higher than Toronto | $82.00 10% higher than Toronto |
| Summer dress, chain store | $56.33 | $52.74 6% lower than Toronto | $43.40 23% lower than Toronto | $55.64 1% lower than Toronto | $54.37 3% lower than Toronto |
| Nike running shoes | $139.86 | $148.27 6% higher than Toronto | $121.67 13% lower than Toronto | $123.36 12% lower than Toronto | $131.94 6% lower than Toronto |
| Men's leather business shoes | $174.28 | $138.72 20% lower than Toronto | $165.00 5% lower than Toronto | $144.63 17% lower than Toronto | $153.85 12% lower than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo prices. Cinema is a standard adult seat for an international release; premium and online booking fees are extra. Prices for museums, parks, festivals and sport vary by season and event, so check the venue before you budget a day out.
Things to do in Ontario
- Toronto: CN Tower, ROM, AGO, the Islands, TIFF and the major league teams.
- Ottawa: the Rideau Canal Skateway in winter, Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market and national museums.
- Hamilton: more than 100 waterfalls, the Royal Botanical Gardens and Locke Street.
- Niagara Falls and the Niagara wine region.
- Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Georgian Bay for cottages and canoeing.
- Stratford Festival and Shaw Festival for theatre.
A movie ticket is $18.00 in Toronto and Ottawa and $14.75 in Hamilton, and a night out for two costs $164, $162 and $139 respectively.
See also: movie and entertainment prices in Canada.
Childcare, schools and raising a family in Ontario
Ontario CWELCC fees run about $22 a day for infants in the CCPA 2026 survey. Private full-day preschool averages $1,051 a month in Toronto in Numbeo's sample, versus $1,156 in Ottawa; most families pay far less through regulated childcare.
| Family costs | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private full-day preschool, monthly | $1,051 | $1,156 10% higher than Toronto | $694 34% lower than Toronto | $993 6% lower than Toronto | $723 31% lower than Toronto |
| International primary school, yearly | $33,506 | $22,250 34% lower than Toronto | $23,308 30% lower than Toronto | $20,417 39% lower than Toronto | $22,899 32% lower than Toronto |
| 3 bedroom outside the centre, monthly | $3,015 | $2,657 12% lower than Toronto | $2,634 13% lower than Toronto | $2,484 18% lower than Toronto | $2,303 24% lower than Toronto |
| Family of four, monthly budget (no childcare or car) | $5,512 | $5,282 4% lower than Toronto | $5,038 9% lower than Toronto | $4,992 9% lower than Toronto | $4,608 16% lower than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Private preschool and school fees are Numbeo samples. Most Canadian families use regulated childcare, whose fees are set by the province and are far lower than private preschool. Regulated fees: CCPA, The $10-a-day divide: child care fees in Canada in 2026.
Ontario's CWELCC fees run about $22 a day for infants in the CCPA's 2026 survey, with a cut scheduled. Spots and waitlists vary by city. Private preschool ranges from $694 a month in Hamilton to $1,051 in Toronto.
See also: childcare costs in Montreal.
Income tax, sales tax and take-home pay in Ontario
On a $100,000 salary a Ontario resident pays about $21,521 in federal and provincial income tax (21.5%), plus roughly $5,770 in CPP and EI, for take-home near $72,709.
| Salary | Ontario | Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax on $60,000 | $9,417 (15.7%) | $11,200 (18.7%) |
| Income tax on $100,000 | $21,521 (21.5%) | $25,647 (25.6%) |
| Income tax on $150,000 | $41,626 (27.8%) | $47,596 (31.7%) |
| Take-home on $100,000 after income tax, CPP and EI | $72,709 | QPP and QPIP differ |
| Sales tax | 13% HST | 5% GST + 9.975% QST |
2026 federal and provincial brackets, basic personal amount only, single filer on employment income. Ontario includes the surtax and Ontario Health Premium; Quebec includes the 16.5% federal abatement. CPP and EI are approximated at 2026 rates ($5,770 at $100,000) and are not deducted from the percentages. Quebec uses QPP and QPIP instead, so its take-home is not shown. Sources: CRA, KPMG, TaxTips.ca.
Ontario's 13% HST applies to most purchases, and the province has no separate PST. Ontario's income tax at $100,000 is $21,521 (21.5%) with the surtax and health premium. OHIP covers hospital and doctor visits, with the Ontario Health Premium collected through income tax.
See also: income tax in Toronto.
Average salary and minimum wage in Ontario
The average Ontario employee earned about $71,173 a year ($1,368.71 a week) in March 2026, and the minimum wage is $17.95 an hour (rose from $17.60 on October 1, 2026), or $37,336 a year full-time. After tax that minimum-wage worker keeps about $2,515 a month, against $3,510 for a modelled single budget even outside the centre, a shortfall of $995.
| Earnings | Toronto | Ottawa | Hamilton | Canada | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly earnings (province, March 2026) | $1,368.71 | $1,368.71 | $1,368.71 | $1,333.23 3% lower than Toronto | $1,283.60 6% lower than Toronto |
| Average yearly earnings (weekly x 52) | $71,173 | $71,173 | $71,173 | $69,328 3% lower than Toronto | $66,747 6% lower than Toronto |
| Average monthly net pay reported by Numbeo | $5,022 | $5,163 3% higher than Toronto | $4,274 15% lower than Toronto | $4,221 16% lower than Toronto | $4,159 17% lower than Toronto |
| Minimum wage per hour | $17.95 | $17.95 | $17.95 | $18.15 1% higher than Toronto | $16.60 8% lower than Toronto |
| Full-time minimum wage, gross a year (2,080 hours) | $37,336 | $37,336 | $37,336 | $37,752 1% higher than Toronto | $34,528 8% lower than Toronto |
| Hours of minimum-wage work to pay a city-centre 1 bedroom | 126 hours | 114 hours 10% lower than Toronto | 99 hours 22% lower than Toronto | 99 hours 21% lower than Toronto | 107 hours 15% lower than Toronto |
| Full-time minimum wage, take-home a month | $2,515 | $2,515 | $2,515 | $2,538 1% higher than Toronto | $2,302 8% lower than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Average weekly earnings: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll and Hours, March 2026 (all employees, including overtime, seasonally adjusted). These are means, so they run above what a typical worker earns; Statistics Canada’s city-level median is lower than the provincial mean. Minimum wages are the general adult rates in force on October 25, 2026 (Ontario $17.95 from October 1; verify before payroll decisions). The US and Australian minimums are converted at C$1 = US$0.702 and A$1.011; US states and some cities set higher rates. “Numbeo net pay” is a crowd-sourced sample.
See also: wages and minimum wage in Montreal.
Can you live in Ontario on your salary?
On $60,000 a year a single person in Toronto takes home about $3,854 a month. A city-centre one bedroom puts the modelled budget at $3,746, which leaves $108 (very tight). Moving outside the centre leaves $344 (manageable). Adjust the calculator below to your own income, household and choices.
Household
Where you live
Getting around
Enter income as
Very tight in Toronto
You cover the budget with almost nothing left. Any increase in rent or a car repair breaks it. After tax you keep about $3,854 a month against a modelled budget of $3,746, which leaves $108.
Take-home pay
$3,854/mo
$9,417 income tax and $4,340 payroll deductions a year
Monthly budget
$3,746/mo
Rent, bills, food, transport, fun, family
Left over
$108/mo
Before saving, debt payments and travel
Where the money goes
- Rent$2,265
- Utilities, phone, internet$286
- Groceries$420
- Transit$156
- Eating and drinking out$305
- Gym and movies$106
- Clothing and shoes$48
- Dental, vision, prescriptions$60
- Household, subscriptions, personal care$100
Rent is 45% of gross income here, above the 30% guideline lenders and landlords use. To keep 15% of take-home after this budget in Toronto you would need roughly $71,000 a year.
How this works: take-home uses 2026 federal and provincial income tax plus CPP and EI (Quebec uses QPP and QPIP; the US figure adds Social Security, Medicare and a 4% state tax; Australia adds the Medicare levy). Couples and families are two equal earners. Expenses use October 2026 Numbeo prices with our assumptions for clothing, health costs ($60 an adult), household items, and a car financed over five years at 6%. It ignores the Canada Child Benefit, GST credit, RRSP deductions and employer benefits, so real take-home may be higher.
What each salary leaves you in Toronto
| Gross income | Take-home (single, monthly) | Single left over | Couple left over | Family left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 a year | $2,672 | -$1,074 (Not enough) | -$1,937 (Not enough) | -$3,599 (Not enough) |
| $50,000 a year | $3,271 | -$475 (Not enough) | -$1,376 (Not enough) | -$3,038 (Not enough) |
| $60,000 a year | $3,854 | $108 (Very tight) | -$765 (Not enough) | -$2,427 (Not enough) |
| $75,000 a year | $4,635 | $889 (Comfortable) | $138 (Very tight) | -$1,524 (Not enough) |
| $100,000 a year | $6,059 | $2,313 (Comfortable) | $1,631 (Comfortable) | -$31 (Not enough) |
| $150,000 a year | $8,550 | $4,804 (Comfortable) | $4,358 (Comfortable) | $2,696 (Comfortable) |
Left over is monthly take-home minus the modelled budget, before saving, debt payments and travel. Single: one-bedroom in the city centre. Couple: the figure is household income from two equal earners, one-bedroom in the centre. Family: household income from two earners, three-bedroom outside the centre, one child in regulated childcare. Everyone uses transit.
Can you live on $3,000 a month in Toronto?
Most searches for a monthly figure mean pay after tax. The table converts each monthly take-home into the gross salary that produces it in Toronto, then shows what a single person has left after rent in the centre or outside it.
| Monthly take-home | Gross salary needed | Left over, outside centre | Left over, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 a month | $37,067 | -$1,010 (Not enough) | -$1,246 (Not enough) |
| $3,000 a month | $45,362 | -$510 (Not enough) | -$746 (Not enough) |
| $3,500 a month | $53,745 | -$10 (Not enough) | -$246 (Not enough) |
| $4,000 a month | $62,799 | $490 (Manageable) | $254 (Manageable) |
| $5,000 a month | $81,608 | $1,490 (Comfortable) | $1,254 (Comfortable) |
See also: what a salary buys in Toronto.
What salary do you need to live in Ontario?
A single person in Toronto needs about $54,000 a year to break even outside the centre and about $71,000 to rent in the city centre and still keep 15% of take-home. A couple needs $88,000 in household income and a family of four $121,000.
| Gross salary needed | Toronto |
|---|---|
| Single, bare minimum (outside the centre, transit, break even) | $54,000 |
| Single, comfortable (city centre, transit, 15% left) | $71,000 |
| Single with a car (outside the centre, 15% left) | $84,000 |
| Couple, comfortable (household income, centre, transit, 15% left) | $88,000 |
| Family of four, comfortable (household income, outside the centre, one child in childcare, 15% left) | $121,000 |
| Rent at 30% of gross pay (single, centre one-bedroom) | $91,000 |
Gross pay before tax, rounded up to the nearest $1,000, from the same model as the calculator. “Comfortable” means 15% of after-tax income remains after the budget for saving, debt and travel. Couples and families assume two equal earners. A car adds a loan on a new compact (10% down, 6%, five years), fuel for 1,000 km a month, insurance and upkeep.
See also: salary needed in Canada.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Ontario?
$100,000 is about 141% of the ontario average of $71,173, which makes it above average in Toronto. A single person renting in the city centre on $100,000 keeps about $6,059 a month after tax and has $2,313 left over after the modelled budget (comfortable).
| Salary | Versus the ontario average | How it ranks | Single left over (centre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 a year | 56% of average | Below average | -$1,074 (Not enough) |
| $60,000 a year | 84% of average | Around average | $108 (Very tight) |
| $75,000 a year | 105% of average | Around average | $889 (Comfortable) |
| $100,000 a year | 141% of average | Above average | $2,313 (Comfortable) |
| $150,000 a year | 211% of average | High | $4,804 (Comfortable) |
| $200,000 a year | 281% of average | Very high | $7,032 (Comfortable) |
The average is a mean from Statistics Canada (provinces) or implied by Numbeo’s net pay (countries), so a typical worker earns less than it. A salary that is “good” against the average can still be tight for one person who rents downtown or for a family on a single income; use the calculator above for your own situation.
See also: salary benchmarks in Montreal.
Why Ontario costs what it does
- Population concentration around the Golden Horseshoe.
- Rent control exemptions for post-2018 units.
- High car insurance rates.
- Competitive grocery and phone markets.
- A 13% HST on nearly everything except basic groceries.
Is Ontario right for your budget?
It suits you if
- You want the largest job market in Canada.
- You can pick a cheaper city such as Hamilton and commute.
- You work for the federal government in Ottawa.
Think twice if
- You want low taxes: Alberta is cheaper.
- You drive heavily: insurance is high.
- You need a downtown family home on one modest income.
The bottom line
Ontario costs what you choose: Hamilton or Ottawa deliver a mainstream Canadian cost of living, and Toronto delivers a premium.
The right Ontario city depends on your job, but the cost spread within the province is as large as any gap between provinces.