City Comparison

Arlington vs Toronto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Virginia
164
Very Expensive
$740,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$145,000
Median Income

Toronto

Canada
93
Below Average
$615,000
Median Home
$1,825/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

The Verdict

76.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 76.3%, with Toronto being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $42,530 in Toronto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Arlington
132
Toronto
Groceries
106
Arlington
88
Toronto
Utilities
102
Arlington
85
Toronto
Transportation
107
Arlington
98
Toronto
Healthcare
117
Arlington
72
Toronto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $42,530 in Toronto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $132,258 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Toronto

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $615,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1032/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $340 in Toronto. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 72 in Toronto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 45-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $59,140 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,283/month in Toronto. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 117 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toronto is 76.3% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $42,530 in Toronto, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Toronto's is 132 with median homes at $615,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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