Quick Comparison
Overall Costs
| Category |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
Winner |
| Housing |
$$$$$ |
$$$$$ |
Tie |
| Rent |
$$$$ |
$$$$$ |
Toronto |
| Groceries |
$$$ |
$$$$ |
Toronto |
| Transportation |
$$$ |
$$$ |
Tie |
| Income tax |
$$$ |
$$ |
Vancouver |
| Overall |
$$$$$ |
$$$$$ |
Vancouver slightly higher |
Housing Costs
Home Prices (2025-2026)
| Property Type |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Detached house |
$1,450,000 |
$1,850,000 |
| Semi-detached |
$1,100,000 |
$1,400,000 |
| Townhouse |
$850,000 |
$1,050,000 |
| Condo |
$700,000 |
$750,000 |
Price Comparison
| Metric |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Avg home price |
~$1,100,000 |
~$1,200,000 |
| Price/sq ft |
$900-$1,200 |
$1,000-$1,400 |
| Difference |
|
~10% higher |
Property Tax Rate
| City |
Residential Rate |
| Toronto |
~0.6% |
| Vancouver |
~0.3% |
| On $1M home |
$6,000 vs $3,000 |
Rent Comparison
Monthly Rent (2025-2026)
| Unit Type |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| 1-BR downtown |
$2,400 |
$2,500 |
| 2-BR downtown |
$3,200 |
$3,400 |
| 1-BR suburban |
$1,800 |
$1,900 |
| 2-BR suburban |
$2,300 |
$2,500 |
Best Value Areas
| Toronto |
Avg Rent |
Vancouver |
Avg Rent |
| Scarborough |
$1,600-$2,000 |
Surrey |
$1,600-$2,000 |
| Etobicoke |
$1,800-$2,200 |
Burnaby |
$1,900-$2,300 |
| North York |
$1,900-$2,400 |
New Westminster |
$1,700-$2,100 |
Income & Taxes
Average Salaries
| Role |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Software developer |
$95,000 |
$90,000 |
| Accountant |
$70,000 |
$65,000 |
| Nurse (RN) |
$80,000 |
$85,000 |
| Marketing manager |
$85,000 |
$78,000 |
| Teacher |
$75,000 |
$70,000 |
Take-Home Pay Comparison
| Gross Income |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| $60,000 |
$46,500 |
$47,200 |
| $80,000 |
$59,500 |
$60,800 |
| $100,000 |
$71,800 |
$73,500 |
| $120,000 |
$83,500 |
$85,800 |
Why Vancouver Taxes Are Lower
| Factor |
|
| BC tax rates |
Generally lower than Ontario |
| Health premium |
Ontario has it, BC doesn’t |
| At $80K |
~$1,300 more take-home in Vancouver |
Transportation
Public Transit
| Factor |
Toronto (TTC) |
Vancouver (TransLink) |
| Monthly pass |
$156 |
$110-$177 |
| Coverage |
Extensive |
Extensive |
| Quality |
Good |
Good (SkyTrain) |
Car Ownership
| Cost |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Gas (per litre) |
$1.45-$1.60 |
$1.55-$1.75 |
| Insurance (annual) |
$2,000-$3,000 |
$1,800-$2,800 |
| Parking (monthly downtown) |
$300-$500 |
$250-$400 |
Commute Times
| Factor |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Avg commute |
34 minutes |
30 minutes |
| Traffic congestion |
Very high |
High |
Groceries & Food
Monthly Grocery Costs
| Item |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Milk (4L) |
$6.50 |
$7.00 |
| Bread (loaf) |
$3.50 |
$3.75 |
| Eggs (dozen) |
$4.50 |
$5.00 |
| Chicken (kg) |
$14.00 |
$15.00 |
| Apples (kg) |
$4.50 |
$4.00 |
| Monthly Budget |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Single person |
$350-$450 |
$375-$475 |
| Couple |
$600-$750 |
$650-$800 |
| Family of 4 |
$1,000-$1,300 |
$1,100-$1,400 |
Dining Out
| Factor |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Cheap meal |
$15-$20 |
$15-$22 |
| Mid-range (2 people) |
$80-$120 |
$90-$130 |
| Coffee (latte) |
$5.50 |
$6.00 |
| Beer (pint) |
$8-$10 |
$8-$10 |
Utilities & Services
Monthly Costs
| Utility |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Electricity |
$100-$150 |
$60-$80 |
| Heating |
$80-$120 |
$50-$80 |
| Internet |
$70-$100 |
$70-$100 |
| Mobile |
$50-$80 |
$50-$80 |
Why Vancouver Utilities Are Cheaper
| Factor |
|
| Hydro power |
BC has cheap hydroelectric |
| Milder winters |
Less heating needed |
| Annual savings |
~$600-$1,200 |
Childcare & Education
Daycare Costs
| Type |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Infant (monthly) |
$1,800-$2,200 |
$1,600-$2,000 |
| Toddler (monthly) |
$1,400-$1,800 |
$1,200-$1,600 |
| Preschool (monthly) |
$1,200-$1,500 |
$1,000-$1,300 |
With $10/Day Childcare
| Subsidy Status |
|
| BC |
$10/day expanding |
| Ontario |
CWELCC reducing costs |
| Both |
Becoming more affordable |
Healthcare
Coverage
| Factor |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| OHIP/MSP |
Free |
Free |
| Wait times |
Similar |
Similar |
| Healthcare quality |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Additional Costs
| Service |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Dental (cleaning) |
$200-$300 |
$200-$300 |
| Eye exam |
$100-$150 |
$100-$150 |
| Prescriptions |
Similar |
Similar |
Quality of Life
Climate
| Factor |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Winter |
Cold (-10°C) |
Mild (5°C) |
| Summer |
Hot (25-30°C) |
Warm (20-25°C) |
| Rain |
Moderate |
Lots |
| Snow |
Yes |
Rare |
Lifestyle
| Factor |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Outdoor activities |
Good |
Excellent |
| Nightlife |
Excellent |
Very good |
| Cultural scene |
Excellent |
Very good |
| Restaurant variety |
Excellent |
Very good |
| Mountains |
None |
Yes |
| Beach |
Lake Ontario |
Ocean |
Budget Comparison
Single Person Monthly Budget
| Expense |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Rent (1-BR) |
$2,400 |
$2,500 |
| Utilities |
$120 |
$70 |
| Transit |
$156 |
$130 |
| Groceries |
$400 |
$425 |
| Dining out |
$250 |
$275 |
| Phone/internet |
$130 |
$130 |
| Entertainment |
$200 |
$200 |
| Other |
$300 |
$300 |
| Total |
$3,956 |
$4,030 |
Salary Needed
| To Live Comfortably |
|
| Toronto |
$75,000-$85,000 gross |
| Vancouver |
$80,000-$90,000 gross |
Family of 4 Monthly Budget
| Expense |
Toronto |
Vancouver |
| Rent (3-BR) |
$3,500 |
$3,800 |
| Utilities |
$200 |
$120 |
| Car + transit |
$700 |
$650 |
| Groceries |
$1,200 |
$1,300 |
| Childcare |
$2,000 |
$1,800 |
| Other |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
| Total |
$8,600 |
$8,670 |
Who Should Choose Which City?
Choose Toronto If:
| Factor |
|
| Career |
Finance, banking focus |
| Prefer |
Cultural diversity |
| Need |
Lower groceries, some housing |
| Don’t mind |
Cold winters |
Choose Vancouver If:
| Factor |
|
| Career |
Tech, film, tourism |
| Prefer |
Outdoor lifestyle |
| Value |
Lower taxes, mild climate |
| Don’t mind |
Rain, higher food costs |