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Vancouver vs Toronto

Vancouver and Toronto cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · 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
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Toronto monthly
$3,435
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-3%
Toronto relative to Vancouver
Rent gap
$150
Vancouver costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

VancouverToronto
  • Housing
    Housing: Vancouver $2,100, Toronto $1,950. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Food
    Food: Vancouver $774, Toronto $764. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Transport
    Transport: Vancouver $162, Toronto $207. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Vancouver $221, Toronto $227. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Vancouver $9.20, Toronto $9.10. Cheaper in Toronto.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Vancouver $168, Toronto $168. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Other
    Other: Vancouver $107, Toronto $110. Cheaper in Vancouver.
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

MetricVancouverToronto
Cost
Total monthly cost3,541 USD3,435 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5554✓
Housing2,100 USD1,950 USD✓
Utilities221 USD✓227 USD
Food774 USD764 USD✓
Transport162 USD✓207 USD
Healthcare9 USD9 USD✓
Lifestyle168 USD168 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,088 USD✓5,977 USD
Effective tax + social rate26.9%✓28.3%
Left over each month2,547 USD✓2,542 USD
Average local net salary3,300 USD3,400 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD1,950 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,700 USD3,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre10,500 USD9,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety74/10076/100✓
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality84/100✓72/100
Public transport70/10076/100✓
Walkability76/10078/100✓
English proficiency96/10098/100✓
Nightlife72/10082/100✓
Family friendliness82/10082/100
Median broadband210 Mbps✓190 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature11°C9°C✓
Summer high23°C✓27°C
Winter low1°C✓-8°C
Sunshine hours per year1,930 h2,050 h✓
Annual rainfall1190 mm830 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓25 min
CurrencyCADCAD
Time zoneAmerica/VancouverAmerica/Toronto

Vancouver and Toronto cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Vancouver or Toronto cheaper?

Vancouver and Toronto cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Toronto compared with Vancouver?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,088 a month in Vancouver and $5,977 in Toronto, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Vancouver or Toronto?

Vancouver scores 74/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Toronto scores 76 and 84. Vancouver averages 11°C against 9°C in Toronto.