Philadelphia vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Philadelphia
Toronto
💡 The Verdict
Philadelphia is 7% cheaper than Toronto overall. A $75,000 salary in Philadelphia is equivalent to $80,660 in Toronto.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Philadelphia (left) vs Toronto (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Philadelphia versus Toronto. Differences shown from Philadelphia perspective.
| Item | Philadelphia | Toronto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,060/mo | $1,170/mo | $-110.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,400/mo | $1,590/mo | $-190.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,850/mo | $2,060/mo | $-210.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.75 | $3.12 | $-0.37 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.87 | $4.21 | $-0.34 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.52 | $3.24 | +$0.28 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.98 | $6.02 | $-0.04 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.54 | $3.41 | +$0.13 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.60 | $18.25 | $-0.65 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Philadelphia has the same purchasing power as $80,660 in Toronto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $69,737 in Philadelphia.
Reading These Numbers: Philadelphia (106) vs Toronto (114)
Philadelphia at 106 is 6% above the US average, while Toronto at 114 is 14% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Philadelphia, the composite index of 106 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 107, followed by groceries (104), utilities (113), transportation (108), and healthcare (101). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,400/mo in Philadelphia and $1,590/mo in Toronto, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,280.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $11,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $117,000.0 difference in median home prices between Philadelphia and Toronto translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
🔗 Related Tools
📚 Moving & Relocation Resources
Amazon affiliate links
CITY PROFILES
Making Your Decision: Philadelphia vs Toronto
Choosing between Philadelphia and Toronto involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Philadelphia against Toronto, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.