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Chicago vs Toronto

Toronto runs about 19% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 799 USD a month.

View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
A south view of the Hockey Hall of Fame building, Toronto
Toronto
$3,435/month · Canada
DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Toronto monthly
$3,435
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-19%
Toronto relative to Chicago
Rent gap
$278
Chicago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChicagoToronto
  • Housing
    Housing: Chicago $2,228, Toronto $1,950. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Food
    Food: Chicago $788, Toronto $764. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chicago $154, Toronto $207. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chicago $221, Toronto $227. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chicago $525, Toronto $9.10. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chicago $170, Toronto $168. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Other
    Other: Chicago $149, Toronto $110. Cheaper in Toronto.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricChicagoToronto
Cost
Total monthly cost4,234 USD3,435 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6654✓
Housing2,228 USD1,950 USD✓
Utilities221 USD✓227 USD
Food788 USD764 USD✓
Transport154 USD✓207 USD
Healthcare525 USD9 USD✓
Lifestyle170 USD168 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,228 USD✓5,977 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.3%✓28.3%
Left over each month1,993 USD2,542 USD✓
Average local net salary4,400 USD✓3,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,228 USD1,950 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,244 USD3,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,500 USD✓9,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety52/10076/100✓
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality62/10072/100✓
Public transport78/100✓76/100
Walkability80/100✓78/100
English proficiency100/100✓98/100
Nightlife88/100✓82/100
Family friendliness66/10082/100✓
Median broadband210 Mbps✓190 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature10°C9°C✓
Summer high29°C27°C✓
Winter low-8°C-8°C
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓2,050 h
Annual rainfall990 mm830 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓25 min
CurrencyUSDCAD
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/Toronto

Toronto runs about 19% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 799 USD a month.

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Cost of living in ChicagoCost of living in TorontoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Chicago vs SeattleChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs Vancouver
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chicago or Toronto cheaper?

Toronto runs about 19% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 799 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Toronto compared with Chicago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,228 a month in Chicago and $5,977 in Toronto, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chicago or Toronto?

Chicago scores 52/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Toronto scores 76 and 84. Chicago averages 10°C against 9°C in Toronto.