Sydney vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sydney
Toronto
The Verdict
Toronto is 12.9% less expensive than Sydney overall. A household earning $75,000 in Sydney would need approximately $66,429 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 Sydney has the same purchasing power as $66,429 in Toronto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $84,677 in Sydney.
Living in Sydney vs Toronto
Housing Costs
Sydney's housing index of 142 is higher Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $825,000 vs $615,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,050/mo in Sydney compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Sydney and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Sydney vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Sydney and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Sydney 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 72 in Sydney and 72 in Toronto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,000 in Sydney and $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,143 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 $1,400/month to housing in Sydney vs $1,283/month in Toronto. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/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 Utilities, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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