Boise vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Toronto
The Verdict
Toronto is 14.0% less expensive than Boise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Boise would need approximately $65,802 in Toronto to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boise has the same purchasing power as $65,802 in Toronto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $85,484 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Toronto
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is lower Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $615,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Boise and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $340 in Toronto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 72 in Toronto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,818 in Boise and $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $59,140 respectively. Toronto residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,283/month in Toronto. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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