City Comparison

Toronto vs Virginia Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Toronto

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

Virginia Beach

Virginia
105
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$73,418
Median Income

The Verdict

11.4%

Living in Toronto costs 11.4% less than Virginia Beach. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Toronto, you would need $84,677 in Virginia Beach.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
132
Toronto
112
Virginia Beach
Groceries
88
Toronto
100
Virginia Beach
Utilities
85
Toronto
98
Virginia Beach
Transportation
98
Toronto
101
Virginia Beach
Healthcare
72
Toronto
99
Virginia Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Toronto has the same purchasing power as $84,677 in Virginia Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $66,429 in Toronto.

Living in Toronto vs Virginia Beach

Housing Costs

Toronto's housing index of 132 is higher Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $615,000 vs $310,000. 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: $1,825/mo in Toronto compared to $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 88 in Toronto and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $418/month in Toronto vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 85 in Toronto and 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Toronto vs $392 in Virginia Beach. 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 Toronto and 99 in Virginia Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,140 and $69,922 respectively. Virginia Beach 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 $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toronto is 11.4% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Toronto has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,677 in Virginia Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
Toronto's housing index is 132 with median homes at $615,000, while Virginia Beach's is 112 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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