Toronto vs Vancouver
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Toronto
Vancouver
The Verdict
Toronto is 23.8% less expensive than Vancouver overall. A household earning $75,000 in Toronto would need approximately $98,387 in Vancouver 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 Toronto has the same purchasing power as $98,387 in Vancouver.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vancouver equals $57,172 in Toronto.
Living in Toronto vs Vancouver
Housing Costs
Toronto's housing index of 132 is lower Vancouver's 163, translating to median home prices of $615,000 vs $525,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,825/mo in Toronto compared to $1,650/mo in Vancouver, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 88 in Toronto and 104 in Vancouver. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $418/month in Toronto vs $494/month in Vancouver. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 85 in Toronto and 87 in Vancouver. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Toronto vs $348 in Vancouver. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 72 in Toronto and 103 in Vancouver. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,000 in Toronto and $79,300 in Vancouver. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,140 and $65,000 respectively. Vancouver residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,283/month to housing in Toronto vs $1,850/month in Vancouver. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Vancouver, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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