City Comparison

Spokane vs Toronto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Spokane

Washington
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,834
Median Income

Toronto

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

The Verdict

5.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.4%, with Toronto being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Spokane has equivalent purchasing power to $71,173 in Toronto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Spokane
132
Toronto
Groceries
99
Spokane
88
Toronto
Utilities
98
Spokane
85
Toronto
Transportation
101
Spokane
98
Toronto
Healthcare
102
Spokane
72
Toronto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Spokane has the same purchasing power as $71,173 in Toronto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $79,032 in Spokane.

Living in Spokane vs Toronto

Housing Costs

Spokane's housing index of 94 is lower Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $615,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Spokane compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Spokane and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Spokane 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 98 in Spokane and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Spokane 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 102 in Spokane and 72 in Toronto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,834 in Spokane and $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,831 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 $1,139/month to housing in Spokane vs $1,283/month in Toronto. In Spokane, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toronto is 5.4% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Spokane has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,173 in Toronto, based on the cost of living difference.
Spokane's housing index is 94 with median homes at $310,000, while Toronto's is 132 with median homes at $615,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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