Cost of Living · Updated October 25, 2026 · 15 min read
Cost of Living in Toronto (2026): Rent, Groceries, TTC and More
Toronto is the second most expensive of the nine Canadian cities we track: a single renter needs about $3,538 a month before income tax, 21% more than Montreal and 14% more than Calgary, but 6% less than Vancouver.
Toronto's costs are lumpy. It has Canada's most expensive transit pass ($156) and the priciest mid-range dinner for two ($110), yet groceries are among the cheapest we track. This guide prices every part of life in Toronto in October 2026, from groceries and TTC fares to hotels and movie tickets, and sets each next to Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Ottawa.
Toronto cost of living at a glance
How the other places compare with Toronto, overall
Vancouver
- Costs
- 4% higher
- Pay
- About the same
Montreal
- Costs
- 16% lower
- Pay
- 12% lower
Calgary
- Costs
- 10% lower
- Pay
- 6% lower
Ottawa
- Costs
- About the same
- Pay
- 1% higher
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 | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly budget (renter, before income tax) | |||||
| Single renter | $3,538 | $3,754 6% higher than Toronto | $2,926 17% lower than Toronto | $3,105 12% lower than Toronto | $3,379 4% lower than Toronto |
| Couple | $4,535 | $4,752 5% higher than Toronto | $3,860 15% lower than Toronto | $4,114 9% lower than Toronto | $4,402 3% lower than Toronto |
| Family of four (no childcare or car) | $5,512 | $6,040 10% higher than Toronto | $4,608 16% lower than Toronto | $5,031 9% lower than Toronto | $5,282 4% lower than Toronto |
| Housing | |||||
| 1 bedroom, city centre | $2,265 | $2,507 11% higher than Toronto | $1,775 22% lower than Toronto | $1,736 23% lower than Toronto | $2,047 10% lower than Toronto |
| 1 bedroom, outside centre | $2,029 | $2,154 6% higher than Toronto | $1,375 32% lower than Toronto | $1,438 29% lower than Toronto | $1,726 15% lower than Toronto |
| 3 bedroom, outside centre | $3,015 | $3,506 16% higher than Toronto | $2,303 24% lower than Toronto | $2,340 22% lower than Toronto | $2,657 12% lower than Toronto |
| Typical home price | $940,800 | $1,099,100 17% higher than Toronto | $649,000 31% lower than Toronto | $569,200 39% lower than Toronto | $634,000 33% lower than Toronto |
| Apartment price per sq ft, centre | $998 | $1,099 10% higher than Toronto | $658 34% lower than Toronto | $475 52% lower than Toronto | $601 40% lower than Toronto |
| Property tax rate | 0.77% | 0.31% 60% lower than Toronto | 0.76% 1% lower than Toronto | 0.63% 18% lower than Toronto | 1.23% 59% higher than Toronto |
| Food and drink | |||||
| Groceries, one adult (full cart) | $420 | $489 17% higher than Toronto | $428 2% higher than Toronto | $471 12% higher than Toronto | $458 9% higher than Toronto |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $25.00 | $25.00 | $26.50 6% higher than Toronto | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for two, mid-range | $110 | $100 9% lower than Toronto | $102 7% lower than Toronto | $99 10% lower than Toronto | $110 |
| Pint of draught beer | $9.00 | $8.00 11% lower than Toronto | $9.00 | $7.00 22% lower than Toronto | $8.00 11% lower than Toronto |
| Cappuccino | $5.70 | $5.60 2% lower than Toronto | $5.45 4% lower than Toronto | $5.30 7% lower than Toronto | $5.80 2% higher than Toronto |
| Transportation | |||||
| Monthly transit pass | $156 | $117 25% lower than Toronto | $110 29% lower than Toronto | $126 19% lower than Toronto | $138 12% lower than Toronto |
| Gasoline per litre | $1.76 | $2.00 14% higher than Toronto | $1.89 7% higher than Toronto | $1.69 4% lower than Toronto | $1.69 4% lower than Toronto |
| Car insurance, per year (midpoint of range) | $2,175 | $2,000 8% lower than Toronto | $850 61% lower than Toronto | $1,700 22% lower than Toronto | $2,175 |
| Bills | |||||
| Utilities (915 sq ft) | $172 | $116 32% lower than Toronto | $110 36% lower than Toronto | $231 35% higher than Toronto | $194 13% higher than Toronto |
| Mobile plan | $46 | $52 13% higher than Toronto | $49 6% higher than Toronto | $54 18% higher than Toronto | $52 12% higher than Toronto |
| Home internet | $68 | $74 8% higher than Toronto | $60 12% lower than Toronto | $72 6% higher than Toronto | $72 5% higher than Toronto |
| Fun and travel | |||||
| Movie ticket | $18.00 | $17.50 3% lower than Toronto | $16.00 11% lower than Toronto | $20.00 11% higher than Toronto | $18.00 |
| Gym membership | $52 | $56 8% higher than Toronto | $43 17% lower than Toronto | $70 36% higher than Toronto | $64 23% higher than Toronto |
| Night out for two | $164 | $151 8% lower than Toronto | $152 7% lower than Toronto | $153 7% lower than Toronto | $162 2% lower than Toronto |
| Hotel average daily rate | $261 | $284 9% higher than Toronto | $234 10% lower than Toronto | $188 28% lower than Toronto | — |
| Family | |||||
| Regulated childcare, per child per day | $22.00 | $40.00 82% higher than Toronto | $9.65 56% lower than Toronto | $15.03 32% lower than Toronto | $22.00 |
| Private preschool, per month | $1,051 | $1,500 43% higher than Toronto | $723 31% lower than Toronto | $779 26% lower than Toronto | $1,156 10% higher than Toronto |
| Pay and tax | |||||
| Average yearly earnings | $71,173 | $70,115 1% lower than Toronto | $66,747 6% lower than Toronto | $71,296 | $71,173 |
| Net salary per month (Numbeo) | $5,022 | $5,132 2% higher than Toronto | $4,159 17% lower than Toronto | $4,372 13% lower than Toronto | $5,163 3% higher than Toronto |
| Minimum wage per hour | $17.95 | $18.25 2% higher than Toronto | $16.60 8% lower than Toronto | $15.00 16% lower than Toronto | $17.95 |
| Tax and payroll on $100,000 | $27,291 | $26,065 4% lower than Toronto | $31,993 17% higher than Toronto | $27,117 1% lower than Toronto | $27,291 |
| Sales tax | 13% HST | 5% GST + 7% PST | 5% GST + 9.975% QST | 5% GST (no provincial sales tax) | 13% HST |
| Salary needed (single person) | |||||
| To break even, outside the centre | $54,000 | $56,000 4% higher than Toronto | $43,000 20% lower than Toronto | $46,000 15% lower than Toronto | $50,000 7% lower than Toronto |
| To live comfortably in the centre | $71,000 | $75,000 6% higher than Toronto | $61,000 14% lower than Toronto | $61,000 14% lower than Toronto | $67,000 6% 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 Toronto?
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 6% less than Vancouver ($3,754). That is second most expensive of nine Canadian cities for a single renter's monthly costs.
- 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.
Toronto leaves a single renter with the third largest cushion among the nine cities once you subtract the modelled budget from Numbeo's average net salary ($1,484 a month), since pay is higher than in most places. The reverse is true for families, where a three bedroom outside the centre runs $3,015.
Common monthly expenses in Toronto
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 Alberta.
Rent in Toronto
A one bedroom in the city centre averages $2,265 a month in Toronto, 10% less than Vancouver ($2,507). Outside the centre it drops to $2,029, and a three bedroom outside the centre is $3,015. That is second most expensive of nine Canadian cities for city-centre rent.
| Monthly rent | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom, city centre | $2,265 | $2,507 11% higher than Toronto | $1,775 22% lower than Toronto | $1,736 23% lower than Toronto | $2,047 10% lower than Toronto |
| 1 bedroom, outside centre | $2,029 | $2,154 6% higher than Toronto | $1,375 32% lower than Toronto | $1,438 29% lower than Toronto | $1,726 15% lower than Toronto |
| 3 bedroom, city centre | $3,842 | $4,442 16% higher than Toronto | $3,054 21% lower than Toronto | $2,710 29% lower than Toronto | $3,238 16% lower than Toronto |
| 3 bedroom, outside centre | $3,015 | $3,506 16% higher than Toronto | $2,303 24% lower than Toronto | $2,340 22% lower than Toronto | $2,657 12% lower than Toronto |
| Average asking rent, 1 bed (market data) | $2,400 | $2,600 8% higher than Toronto | $1,600 33% lower than Toronto | $1,580 34% lower than Toronto | $1,900 21% lower than Toronto |
| Average asking rent, 2 bed (market data) | $2,700 | $3,150 17% higher than Toronto | $2,050 24% lower than Toronto | $1,900 30% lower than Toronto | $2,300 15% 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.
A one bedroom in the city centre averages $2,265 in the Numbeo sample and $2,400 in this site's average asking rent data. Outside the centre it is $2,029, so moving to Scarborough, Etobicoke or North York saves about $236 a month.
Ontario's rent guideline for 2026 is 2.1%, but it exempts units first occupied after November 15, 2018, which covers most new condo rentals. A new tenant's starting rent is always the market rate.
A single person needs about $91,000 a year before tax to keep a city-centre one bedroom at 30% of gross pay.
See also: rent in Vancouver.
Buying a home in Toronto
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, 9% less than Vancouver ($1,099).
| Buying | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home price | $940,800 | $1,099,100 17% higher than Toronto | $649,000 31% lower than Toronto | $569,200 39% lower than Toronto | $634,000 33% lower than Toronto |
| Detached | $1,360,000 | $1,990,000 46% higher than Toronto | $649,000 52% lower than Toronto | $743,900 45% lower than Toronto | $725,000 47% lower than Toronto |
| Condo apartment | $631,000 | $771,000 22% higher than Toronto | $435,000 31% lower than Toronto | $299,000 53% lower than Toronto | $385,500 39% lower than Toronto |
| Price per sq ft, apartment in centre | $998 | $1,099 10% higher than Toronto | $658 34% lower than Toronto | $475 52% lower than Toronto | $601 40% lower than Toronto |
| Price per sq ft, apartment outside centre | $882 | $853 3% lower than Toronto | $493 44% lower than Toronto | $419 52% lower than Toronto | $582 34% lower than Toronto |
| Property tax rate | 0.77% | 0.31% 60% lower than Toronto | 0.76% 1% lower than Toronto | 0.63% 18% lower than Toronto | 1.23% 59% higher than Toronto |
| Annual tax on a typical home | $7,244 | $3,407 53% lower than Toronto | $4,932 32% lower than Toronto | $3,586 50% lower than Toronto | $7,780 7% higher 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.
The GTA benchmark is $940,800 and the condo benchmark $631,000 (TRREB, June 2026), down about 5.4% on the year. Property tax is 0.77% of value.
Buyers pay land transfer tax twice, once to Ontario and once to the City of Toronto. First-time buyers get a rebate on each (up to $4,000 provincial and $4,475 municipal), so run the numbers in the land transfer tax calculator before you set a budget. Our guides to buying a home vs a condo in Toronto and the best neighbourhoods in Toronto go deeper.
See also: home prices in Montreal.
Groceries in Toronto
A month of staples for one adult costs about $196 in Toronto, 14% less than Vancouver ($228). Scaled to a real shopping cart that is nearer $420 a month for one adult. That is eighth most expensive of nine Canadian cities for groceries.
| Item | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | $3.50 | $3.12 11% lower than Toronto | $3.20 9% lower than Toronto | $2.88 18% lower than Toronto | $3.30 6% lower than Toronto |
| White bread (1 lb loaf) | $3.50 | $3.32 5% lower than Toronto | $3.99 14% higher than Toronto | $3.49 | $3.83 9% higher than Toronto |
| White rice (1 lb) | $1.41 | $2.90 106% higher than Toronto | $2.05 45% higher than Toronto | $3.55 152% higher than Toronto | $1.88 33% higher than Toronto |
| Eggs (dozen) | $5.01 | $5.82 16% higher than Toronto | $5.12 2% higher than Toronto | $5.27 5% higher than Toronto | $4.60 8% lower than Toronto |
| Cheese (1 lb) | $5.98 | $7.69 29% higher than Toronto | $8.40 40% higher than Toronto | $7.29 22% higher than Toronto | $7.39 24% higher than Toronto |
| Chicken fillets (1 lb) | $7.31 | $8.46 16% higher than Toronto | $7.41 1% higher than Toronto | $7.29 | $7.54 3% higher than Toronto |
| Beef (1 lb) | $9.34 | $12.82 37% higher than Toronto | $8.84 5% lower than Toronto | $11.77 26% higher than Toronto | $11.97 28% higher than Toronto |
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.35 | $2.58 10% higher than Toronto | $2.05 13% lower than Toronto | $3.04 29% higher than Toronto | $2.38 1% higher than Toronto |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.76 | $0.88 16% higher than Toronto | $0.95 25% higher than Toronto | $0.91 20% higher than Toronto | $0.82 8% higher than Toronto |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.25 | $2.49 11% higher than Toronto | $2.19 3% lower than Toronto | $2.70 20% higher than Toronto | $2.44 8% higher than Toronto |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.67 | $2.55 4% lower than Toronto | $1.98 26% lower than Toronto | $2.50 6% lower than Toronto | $2.25 16% lower than Toronto |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.19 | $1.73 45% higher than Toronto | $1.22 3% higher than Toronto | $1.75 47% higher than Toronto | $1.69 42% higher than Toronto |
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.05 | $1.84 75% higher than Toronto | $1.16 10% higher than Toronto | $1.73 65% higher than Toronto | $1.49 42% higher than Toronto |
| Lettuce (head) | $3.18 | $3.61 14% higher than Toronto | $3.44 8% higher than Toronto | $3.65 15% higher than Toronto | $3.62 14% higher than Toronto |
| Staples basket, one adult a month | $196 | $228 17% higher than Toronto | $200 2% higher than Toronto | $220 12% higher than Toronto | $214 9% higher than Toronto |
| Typical full grocery bill, one adult (basket x 2.14) | $420 | $489 17% higher than Toronto | $428 2% higher than Toronto | $471 12% higher than Toronto | $458 9% higher than Toronto |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | $20.00 | $20.00 | $15.00 25% lower than Toronto | $22.00 10% higher than Toronto | $17.25 14% lower than Toronto |
| Domestic beer, store bought 16.9 oz | $3.09 | $3.71 20% higher than Toronto | $3.21 4% higher than Toronto | $3.42 11% higher than Toronto | $3.63 17% 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.
Toronto's staples basket is $196, the second cheapest of the nine cities, 14% less than Vancouver and 11% less than Calgary. Competition between big chains, discounters and ethnic grocers keeps staples such as rice ($1.41 a pound) and chicken cheap.
Dairy is the exception: milk is $3.50 a litre, above Vancouver's $3.12.
See also: grocery prices in Calgary.
Transportation in Toronto
A monthly transit pass is $156 in Toronto and gasoline is $1.76 a litre. Vancouver is $117 for a pass and $2.00 a litre.
| Getting around | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single transit fare | $3.35 | $3.50 4% higher than Toronto | $3.75 12% higher than Toronto | $4.00 19% higher than Toronto | $4.15 24% higher than Toronto |
| Monthly pass | $156.00 | $117.20 25% lower than Toronto | $110.00 29% lower than Toronto | $126.00 19% lower than Toronto | $138.00 12% lower than Toronto |
| Taxi start | $4.25 | $3.80 11% lower than Toronto | $4.50 6% higher than Toronto | $4.50 6% higher than Toronto | $3.80 11% lower than Toronto |
| Taxi per mile | $2.82 | $3.67 30% higher than Toronto | $3.30 17% higher than Toronto | $3.09 10% higher than Toronto | $3.38 20% higher than Toronto |
| Gasoline per litre | $1.76 | $2.00 14% higher than Toronto | $1.89 7% higher than Toronto | $1.69 4% lower than Toronto | $1.69 4% lower than Toronto |
| New VW Golf or similar | $37,000 | $39,000 5% higher than Toronto | $39,370 6% higher than Toronto | $39,580 7% higher than Toronto | $38,290 3% higher than Toronto |
| New Toyota Corolla or similar | $30,251 | $30,009 1% lower than Toronto | $29,935 1% lower than Toronto | $29,685 2% lower than Toronto | $31,359 4% higher than Toronto |
| Driving 1,000 km a month: fuel plus insurance | $339 | $347 2% higher than Toronto | $241 29% lower than Toronto | $294 13% lower than Toronto | $333 2% lower than Toronto |
| Typical annual car insurance (published range; % uses the midpoint) | $1,700 to $2,650 | $1,800 to $2,200 8% lower than Toronto | $700 to $1,000 61% lower than Toronto | $1,500 to $1,900 22% lower than Toronto | $1,700 to $2,650 |
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.
The TTC adult monthly pass is $156 and a single fare $3.35. GO Transit and regional buses are priced separately, so commuting from Mississauga, Brampton or Durham adds a second fare or pass.
Insurance is Toronto's hidden car cost: published Ontario averages range roughly from $1,700 to $2,650 a year, among the highest in Canada, and rates for Toronto postal codes sit at the top of that range.
See also: transportation costs in Ontario.
Restaurants, coffee and drinks in Toronto
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 $100 in Vancouver. A pint is $9.00 and a cappuccino $5.70.
| Eating and drinking out | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $25.00 | $25.00 | $26.50 6% higher than Toronto | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Mid-range dinner for two, three courses | $110.00 | $100.00 9% lower than Toronto | $102.00 7% lower than Toronto | $99.01 10% lower than Toronto | $109.50 |
| Fast-food combo | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Pint of domestic draught | $9.00 | $8.00 11% lower than Toronto | $9.00 | $7.00 22% lower than Toronto | $8.00 11% lower than Toronto |
| Imported beer, 12 oz | $10.00 | $9.00 10% lower than Toronto | $10.00 | $8.00 20% lower than Toronto | $9.00 10% lower than Toronto |
| Cappuccino | $5.70 | $5.60 2% lower than Toronto | $5.45 4% lower than Toronto | $5.30 7% lower than Toronto | $5.80 2% higher than Toronto |
| Soft drink, 12 oz | $2.94 | $2.97 1% higher than Toronto | $2.80 5% lower than Toronto | $2.78 5% lower than Toronto | $2.87 2% 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.
Toronto has the highest mid-range dinner for two of the nine cities at $110, and a pint at $9.00 ties Montreal for the highest. Ontario's 13% HST applies to restaurant meals, and a 15% to 20% tip is the norm, so a $110 dinner is nearer $140 at the table.
See also: restaurant prices in Alberta.
Utilities, phone and internet in Toronto
Electricity, heat and water for a 915 sq ft apartment, a mobile plan and home internet come to $286 a month in Toronto, 18% more than Vancouver ($242). That is seventh most expensive of nine Canadian cities for monthly bills.
| Monthly bills | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, heat, water, garbage (915 sq ft) | $171.96 | $116.32 32% lower than Toronto | $110.17 36% lower than Toronto | $231.39 35% higher than Toronto | $193.74 13% higher than Toronto |
| Mobile plan, 10GB or more | $46.20 | $52.26 13% higher than Toronto | $48.75 6% higher than Toronto | $54.42 18% higher than Toronto | $51.77 12% higher than Toronto |
| Home internet, 60 Mbps or more | $68.31 | $73.59 8% higher than Toronto | $60.45 12% lower than Toronto | $72.09 6% higher than Toronto | $71.81 5% higher than Toronto |
| Total | $286.47 | $242.17 15% lower than Toronto | $219.37 23% lower than Toronto | $357.90 25% higher than Toronto | $317.32 11% higher than Toronto |
Percentages show the gap from Toronto: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Utilities run $172 a month, middle of the pack,. Internet at $68 and mobile at $46 are among the cheapest in the country, thanks to competition from smaller carriers.
See also: utility bills in Canada.
Hotels and travel in Toronto
Toronto's hotel market recovered strongly: Avison Young put the 2025 average daily rate at $261, and CoStar reported August 2026 up 10% year over year at $308. Single World Cup match days in June 2026 pushed one-day rates up 48%.
| Hotels | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily rate, latest published | $261 | $284 9% higher than Toronto | $234 10% lower than Toronto | $188 28% lower than Toronto | — |
| Two-night weekend stay | $522 | $568 9% higher than Toronto | $468 10% lower than Toronto | $375 28% lower than Toronto | — |
| Basis | 2025 full year, Avison Young (August 2026 monthly: $308, CoStar) | 2025 full year, Avison Young (September 2026 monthly: $373, CoStar) | 2025 full year, Avison Young (August 2026 monthly: $273, CoStar) | 2025 full year, Avison Young | — |
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.
Hotels cluster near Union Station, the Entertainment District and Yorkville. Pearson-adjacent hotels and Mississauga cost noticeably less, and hotel bills add HST and a municipal accommodation tax.
See also: hotel rates in Vancouver.
Movies, entertainment and things to do in Toronto
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 $151 in Vancouver.
| Leisure and shopping | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinema ticket, new release | $18.00 | $17.50 3% lower than Toronto | $16.00 11% lower than Toronto | $20.00 11% higher than Toronto | $18.00 |
| Monthly gym membership | $51.59 | $55.93 8% higher than Toronto | $42.89 17% lower than Toronto | $70.42 36% higher than Toronto | $63.59 23% higher than Toronto |
| Tennis court, 1 hour on a weekend | $33.20 | $17.59 47% lower than Toronto | $27.44 17% lower than Toronto | $25.88 22% lower than Toronto | $39.61 19% higher than Toronto |
| Night out: dinner for two, two movie tickets, two pints | $164 | $151 8% lower than Toronto | $152 7% lower than Toronto | $153 7% lower than Toronto | $162 2% lower than Toronto |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar) | $74.21 | $81.66 10% higher than Toronto | $82.00 10% higher than Toronto | $82.13 11% higher than Toronto | $81.00 9% higher than Toronto |
| Summer dress, chain store | $56.33 | $46.87 17% lower than Toronto | $54.37 3% lower than Toronto | $56.38 | $52.74 6% lower than Toronto |
| Nike running shoes | $139.86 | $134.00 4% lower than Toronto | $131.94 6% lower than Toronto | $129.41 7% lower than Toronto | $148.27 6% higher than Toronto |
| Men's leather business shoes | $174.28 | $134.65 23% lower than Toronto | $153.85 12% lower than Toronto | $157.08 10% lower than Toronto | $138.72 20% 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 Toronto
- CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium and the Toronto Islands ferry for the classic day out.
- Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario, both with discount evenings.
- Blue Jays, Raptors, Maple Leafs, Toronto FC and the Argonauts.
- TIFF in September, Caribana, Pride, and Nuit Blanche across the year.
- Kensington Market, the Distillery District, and St. Lawrence Market for food.
- High Park for cherry blossoms, the Beaches, the Scarborough Bluffs, and the Humber trails (all free).
- Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries, about 90 minutes away.
- Ontario Place's rebuilt waterfront and Evergreen Brick Works.
A movie ticket is $18.00, a gym $52 a month (cheaper than Calgary, Vancouver or Ottawa), and a night out for two about $164, the highest of the nine cities because dinner is so expensive. The cheapest way to see the city is its free parks, waterfront trail and neighbourhood festivals.
See also: movie and entertainment prices in Montreal.
Childcare, schools and raising a family in Toronto
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 $1,500 in Vancouver; most families pay far less through regulated childcare.
| Family costs | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private full-day preschool, monthly | $1,051 | $1,500 43% higher than Toronto | $723 31% lower than Toronto | $779 26% lower than Toronto | $1,156 10% higher than Toronto |
| International primary school, yearly | $33,506 | $28,653 14% lower than Toronto | $22,899 32% lower than Toronto | $22,451 33% lower than Toronto | $22,250 34% lower than Toronto |
| 3 bedroom outside the centre, monthly | $3,015 | $3,506 16% higher than Toronto | $2,303 24% lower than Toronto | $2,340 22% lower than Toronto | $2,657 12% lower than Toronto |
| Family of four, monthly budget (no childcare or car) | $5,512 | $6,040 10% higher than Toronto | $4,608 16% lower than Toronto | $5,031 9% lower than Toronto | $5,282 4% 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 regulated childcare is under the federal $10-a-day program, but the CCPA's 2026 survey still found about $22 a day for infants in Ontario cities, with a further cut scheduled. Waitlists remain long, and many families pay private rates while waiting for a licensed spot.
See also: childcare costs in Calgary.
Income tax, sales tax and take-home pay in Toronto
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 | British Columbia | Quebec | Alberta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income tax on $60,000 | $9,417 (15.7%) | $9,015 (15.0%) | $11,200 (18.7%) | $9,171 (15.3%) |
| Income tax on $100,000 | $21,521 (21.5%) | $20,295 (20.3%) | $25,647 (25.6%) | $21,347 (21.3%) |
| Income tax on $150,000 | $41,626 (27.8%) | $38,433 (25.6%) | $47,596 (31.7%) | $38,410 (25.6%) |
| Take-home on $100,000 after income tax, CPP and EI | $72,709 | $73,935 | QPP and QPIP differ | $72,883 |
| Sales tax | 13% HST | 5% GST + 7% PST | 5% GST + 9.975% QST | 5% GST only |
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 has no provincial sales tax on top of the 13% HST, but HST applies to restaurant meals, which many provinces tax less. Ontario's surtax and health premium make the real marginal rate at $100,000 higher than the bracket suggests, which is why the table shows an effective rate near 22%.
See also: income tax in Ontario.
Average salary and minimum wage in Toronto
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 | Vancouver | Montreal | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly earnings (province, March 2026) | $1,368.71 | $1,348.36 1% lower than Toronto | $1,283.60 6% lower than Toronto | $1,371.07 | $1,368.71 |
| Average yearly earnings (weekly x 52) | $71,173 | $70,115 1% lower than Toronto | $66,747 6% lower than Toronto | $71,296 | $71,173 |
| Average monthly net pay reported by Numbeo | $5,022 | $5,132 2% higher than Toronto | $4,159 17% lower than Toronto | $4,372 13% lower than Toronto | $5,163 3% higher than Toronto |
| Minimum wage per hour | $17.95 | $18.25 2% higher than Toronto | $16.60 8% lower than Toronto | $15.00 16% lower than Toronto | $17.95 |
| Full-time minimum wage, gross a year (2,080 hours) | $37,336 | $37,960 2% higher than Toronto | $34,528 8% lower than Toronto | $31,200 16% lower than Toronto | $37,336 |
| Hours of minimum-wage work to pay a city-centre 1 bedroom | 126 hours | 137 hours 9% higher than Toronto | 107 hours 15% lower than Toronto | 116 hours 8% lower than Toronto | 114 hours 10% lower than Toronto |
| Full-time minimum wage, take-home a month | $2,515 | $2,575 2% higher than Toronto | $2,302 8% lower than Toronto | $2,192 13% lower than Toronto | $2,515 |
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 Canada.
Can you live in Toronto 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 Vancouver.
What salary do you need to live in Toronto?
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 Montreal.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Toronto?
$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 Calgary.
Why Toronto costs what it does
- Population: the GTA is Canada's largest metro and its job hub, which keeps rents high.
- Land transfer tax: Toronto's double tax raises the cost of moving, so people stay put and the rental pool is thin.
- Transit: the TTC adult pass is the highest of the nine cities we track.
- Competition: groceries and mobile are cheaper because of chain and discounter competition.
- Income: pay is higher than most cities, which cushions the budget.
Is Toronto right for your budget?
It suits you if
- You work in finance, tech, health or the public sector, where Toronto pay is highest.
- You can live without a car and use the TTC and GO.
- You cook at home and rent outside the core.
Think twice if
- You expect a quiet cost of living on a modest salary: Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary are all cheaper.
- You need a downtown family home on one income.
- You commute by car from the 905, where insurance and tolls pile on.
The bottom line
Toronto is expensive but not the most expensive, and it pays back in income and opportunity if you work in a sector that concentrates here.
Cook at home, rent a little outside the core, and use transit, and Toronto's budget is close to Ottawa's. Eat out nightly, drive, and rent downtown, and it climbs toward Vancouver.
If your pay is the same in Calgary or Montreal, those cities leave far more at month end; if Toronto pays 20% more, the gap is smaller than it looks.