City Comparison

Kent vs Toronto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

Toronto

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

The Verdict

47.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 47.3%, with Toronto being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to $50,912 in Toronto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
195
Kent
132
Toronto
Groceries
109
Kent
88
Toronto
Utilities
92
Kent
85
Toronto
Transportation
117
Kent
98
Toronto
Healthcare
122
Kent
72
Toronto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $50,912 in Toronto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $110,484 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs Toronto

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $615,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1200/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $340 in Toronto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 72 in Toronto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 50-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $59,140 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,283/month in Toronto. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toronto is 47.3% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $50,912 in Toronto, based on the cost of living difference.
Kent's housing index is 195 with median homes at $595,000, while Toronto's is 132 with median homes at $615,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases