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Seattle vs Toronto

Toronto runs about 17% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 726 USD a month.

The Seattle skyline at dusk as viewed from the Jose Rizal Bridge. In the foreground is the Interstate 5 in Washington.
Seattle
$4,162/month · United States
Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0
A south view of the Hockey Hall of Fame building, Toronto
Toronto
$3,435/month · Canada
DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
Toronto monthly
$3,435
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-17%
Toronto relative to Seattle
Rent gap
$70
Seattle costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SeattleToronto
  • Housing
    Housing: Seattle $2,020, Toronto $1,950. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Food
    Food: Seattle $849, Toronto $764. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Transport
    Transport: Seattle $189, Toronto $207. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Seattle $227, Toronto $227. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Seattle $537, Toronto $9.10. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Seattle $181, Toronto $168. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Other
    Other: Seattle $159, 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

MetricSeattleToronto
Cost
Total monthly cost4,162 USD3,435 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6554✓
Housing2,020 USD1,950 USD✓
Utilities227 USD✓227 USD
Food849 USD764 USD✓
Transport189 USD✓207 USD
Healthcare537 USD9 USD✓
Lifestyle181 USD168 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,575 USD✓5,977 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.1%✓28.3%
Left over each month2,413 USD2,542 USD✓
Average local net salary5,800 USD✓3,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,020 USD1,950 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,856 USD3,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre8,000 USD✓9,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety58/10076/100✓
Healthcare86/100✓84/100
Air quality78/100✓72/100
Public transport68/10076/100✓
Walkability74/10078/100✓
English proficiency100/100✓98/100
Nightlife76/10082/100✓
Family friendliness70/10082/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓190 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C9°C✓
Summer high26°C✓27°C
Winter low2°C✓-8°C
Sunshine hours per year2,170 h✓2,050 h
Annual rainfall950 mm830 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min25 min
CurrencyUSDCAD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Toronto

Toronto runs about 17% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 726 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in SeattleCost of living in TorontoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Seattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs VancouverSeattle vs Austin
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Seattle or Toronto cheaper?

Toronto runs about 17% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 726 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Toronto compared with Seattle?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,575 a month in Seattle and $5,977 in Toronto, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Seattle or Toronto?

Seattle scores 58/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Toronto scores 76 and 84. Seattle averages 12°C against 9°C in Toronto.