Skip to content

Toronto vs Chicago

Toronto runs about 23% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 799 USD a month.

A south view of the Hockey Hall of Fame building, Toronto
Toronto
$3,435/month · Canada
DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0
View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
Toronto monthly
$3,435
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+23%
Chicago relative to Toronto
Rent gap
$278
Chicago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

TorontoChicago
  • Housing
    Housing: Toronto $1,950, Chicago $2,228. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Food
    Food: Toronto $764, Chicago $788. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Transport
    Transport: Toronto $207, Chicago $154. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Toronto $227, Chicago $221. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Toronto $9.10, Chicago $525. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Toronto $168, Chicago $170. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Other
    Other: Toronto $110, Chicago $149. 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

MetricTorontoChicago
Cost
Total monthly cost3,435 USD✓4,234 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)54✓66
Housing1,950 USD✓2,228 USD
Utilities227 USD221 USD✓
Food764 USD✓788 USD
Transport207 USD154 USD✓
Healthcare9 USD✓525 USD
Lifestyle168 USD✓170 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,977 USD6,228 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.3%25.3%✓
Left over each month2,542 USD✓1,993 USD
Average local net salary3,400 USD4,400 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,950 USD✓2,228 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,400 USD✓4,244 USD
Buy price per m², centre9,000 USD4,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety76/100✓52/100
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality72/100✓62/100
Public transport76/10078/100✓
Walkability78/10080/100✓
English proficiency98/100100/100✓
Nightlife82/10088/100✓
Family friendliness82/100✓66/100
Median broadband190 Mbps210 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature9°C✓10°C
Summer high27°C✓29°C
Winter low-8°C-8°C
Sunshine hours per year2,050 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall830 mm✓990 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min15 min✓
CurrencyCADUSD
Time zoneAmerica/TorontoAmerica/Chicago

Toronto runs about 23% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 799 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in TorontoCost of living in ChicagoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Toronto vs VancouverToronto vs SeattleToronto vs Montreal
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Toronto or Chicago cheaper?

Toronto runs about 23% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 799 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Chicago compared with Toronto?

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

Which has better quality of life, Toronto or Chicago?

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