Cost of Living in Toronto
Canada
Comfortable budget (single)
$4,141/month
Range $2,615–$4,141/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Toronto?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Toronto for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$5.5
flat white at cafe
Beer
$7.5
pint at pub
Lunch
$22
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$520
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$115
monthly pass
Gym
$55
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $1,962–$3,051 | ↑ +24% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $1,035–$1,635 | ↑ +24% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $82–$158 | ↑ +24% |
| Internet & Mobile | $33–$54 | ↑ +24% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $414–$621 | ↑ +24% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $54–$98 | ↑ +23% |
| Coffee | $4–$7 | ↑ +38% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $104–$125 | ↑ +24% |
| Gym membership | $38–$71 | ↑ +24% |
| Cinema ticket | $15–$20 | ↑ +25% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Toronto — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$1,962–$3,051/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$14,640
Buy outside (per m²)
$8,050
Price-to-rent ratio
22×
Avg mortgage rate
5.6%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Toronto center at ~$14,640/m² with a 25y loan at 5.6% would cost roughly $5,447/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Toronto. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $3,500 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $4,750 | ❌ No |
| Marketing manager | $4,125 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $3,870 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $4,125 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Toronto.
Utilize the PRESTO card for seamless travel across the TTC subway, streetcar, and bus network, as well as GO Transit for regional commutes.
Shop at discount grocery chains like No Frills or FreshCo to significantly reduce your weekly food expenses compared to larger supermarkets.
Explore Kensington Market for unique, budget-friendly eateries, vintage shops, and a vibrant cultural experience that offers good value.
Budget scenarios
Single
$2,615–$4,141/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,051/mo
- Groceries: ~$621/mo
- Transport: ~$125/mo
Couple
$4,141–$6,321/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,051/mo
- Groceries: ~$621/mo
- Transport: ~$125/mo
Family
$5,994–$9,263/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,051/mo
- Groceries: ~$621/mo
- Transport: ~$125/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Toronto Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,453–$3,814/mo
Toronto Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,158–$3,356/mo
Toronto Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,570–$2,441/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Diversity
- • Safety
- • Healthcare
❌ Cons
- • Housing crisis
- • Cold winters
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Compare Toronto with another city
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.