Moving to Toronto? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Toronto is by far the largest city in Canada. It’s considered to be one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, with over half its residents being born in other countries. This vibrant city, which sits on Lake Ontario, has lots to offer anyone who decides to make it their home.

If you are considering moving to Toronto, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in the fourth largest city in North America.

Quick Toronto Facts:

1. Population: 2.81 million (2016 estimate), 5.5 million in the metropolitan area.
2. Official Language: English (de facto) with at least 200 languages being spoken in schools, including French, Urdu, Spanish, Punjabi, Bengali, Russian and many others.
3. GDP Per Capita: C$55,316 (2013)
4. Film Industry: Toronto’s film industry employs 28,000 and generates around C$1.5 billion annually.
5. Currency: Canadian Dollar ($, CAD). As of mid-2017, $1 USD = $C1.24, €1 EUR = $C1.47, £1 = $C1.67, $1 AUD = $C 0.98

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Toronto

Below are some sample 2023 container shipping costs to Toronto from other major world cities. Just keep in mind they only reflect the shipping portion of the cost and not the full moving costs.

• Vancouver – $2,700+
• USA (New York) – $600+
• UK (London) – $2,500+
• Australia (Sydney) – $5,400+
• Ireland (Dublin) – $2,800+
• New Zealand (Auckland) – $6,0000+
• Hong Kong – $3,350+
• Dubai – $5,000+
• Singapore – $5,100+

You can save money by comparing moving companies using our moving quote form below.

2. Toronto Housing Costs

Compared with other major cities in the world, house and apparent prices in Toronto are reasonable, although have been increasingly rapidly lately. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Toronto

• 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: C$1200+
• 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: C$950+
• 3 bedroom apartment in City Centre: C$2200+
• 3 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: C$1549.79+

Toronto Home Purchase Prices

• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: C$6995.42
• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: C$5248.83

Toronto Housing Cost Comparison

This is how rents in Toronto compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 82.95% more expensive
New York is 155.22% more expensive
Los Angeles is 69.77% more expensive
Sydney is 65.14% more expensive
Paris is 9.18% more expensive
Dubai is 80.15% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs

• Share a flat or house: Toronto is a city with many options for house or apartment shares. Have a look at the following sites to find house or roommate which suits you – Easyroommate, Toronto Roommate, Downtown, Craigslist, Rentals.ca and Metro Roommates.
• Different areas – different prices: Like all cities, Toronto has its desirable areas and less desirable areas and obviously, the rents reflect this difference. Toronto has a staggering 140 different neighbourhoods each with their own pluses and minuses (Toronto Neighbourhoods). Downtown incorporates Old Town and is full of character. It has some amazing new apartments and condos but they come at a price. The Beaches is an upmarket area on Lake Ontario. It’s close to the business district and is popular with families. Allenby and Don Mills are reasonably priced for purchasing but rentals are difficult to get. Yorkmills is one of the most affluent areas and sought after areas. Have a look at Toronto neighbourhoods for an in depth look at all the different living spaces in Toronto.

3. Toronto Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Toronto has some excellent restaurants representing food from around the globe. The city is also proud of its fresh produce and this adds to the city’s reputation for producing good food.

1. Inexpensive Restaurant: C$13.00 – C$20.00
2. Takeout Coffee: C$2.75 – C$5.00
3. Bottle of Coke: C$1.20 – C$3.00
4. 1L of milk: C$1.19 – C$3.77
5. Loaf of Bread: C$2.00 – C$3.31
6. 12 Eggs: C$2.00 – C$4.00
7. 1kg Chicken: C$8 – C$19
8. 1kg Beef: C$9 -C$17.67
9. 1kg Apples:  C$2.20 – C$5.51
10. 1kg White Rice: C$1.99 – C$5.00

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

• New York restaurants are 50.57% more expensive and groceries are 58.34% more expensive than Toronto.
• London restaurants are 44.33% more expensive and groceries are 1.45% more expensive than Toronto.
• Los Angeles restaurants are 26.68% more expensive and groceries are 24.97% more expensive than Toronto.
• Sydney restaurants are 14.21% more expensive and groceries are 31.60% more expensive than Toronto.
• Paris restaurants are 28.44% more expensive and groceries are 24.62% more expensive than Toronto.
• Dubai restaurants are 0.48% cheaper and groceries are 4.11% cheaper than Toronto.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries

• Know your supermarkets: Loblaws is a big supermarket chain which also sells household items and is good for bulk buying. Metro is another popular supermarket with a good deli and cheese section. For organic and excellent fresh produce try Whole Foods Market or Noah’s Natural Foods. One of the cheapest supermarkets is No Frills. If you love markets, then go to Kensington Market and St. Lawrence market and enjoy the fresh fish, fruit, veggies, spices and much more.
• Find Cheap Eats:With a little bit of research, you will find restaurants which offer good but inexpensive food, either every day or at certain times of the day. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Blog to, Trip Adviser, Hostelworld, Narcity, See Toronto Now and Daily HIve

4. Toronto Alcohol Costs

Toronto has an excellent selection of bars, clubs and restaurants. There is something to suit everyone’s taste and pocket. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.

• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: C$4.50 – C$7.50
• Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant.pub: C$5.00 – C$9.00
• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: C$2.00 – C$3.00
• Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: C$2.00 – C$4.00
• Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: C$14 – C$20

How to drink for less in Toronto

• Keep an eye on the local papers, billboards and websites for specials.
• There are many bars, clubs and restaurants that offer cheap drinks at certain times of the day or week. Have a look at the following sites to see what’s on offer in Toronto – Four Square, BlogTo, BlogTo (drinks by neighbourhood), See Toronto Now, Narcity and Drink Owl.

5. Toronto Transportation Fares

Toronto has an excellent public transport system, run by TTC. Many people prefer to use the buses, subway, streetcars, rail or ferries, rather than sit in traffic and pay high parking fees.

Here are some example ticket costs.

• Adult Single – C$3.25
• One day pass – C$12.50
• Monthly season ticket for bus, subway, streetcar and train – C$146.25
• Weekly pass – C$43.75

How to save money on public transport

• Group and family day pass available weekends and public holidays
• Company convention passes – reduced price depending on number of days and delegates
• Buy a bike. There is good system of cycle lanes in Toronto
• If you live close to where you work, then enjoy the walk.

6. Cost of Internet in Toronto

Internet in Canada is more expensive that the UK but cheaper than the US. Pay-as-you-go plans are generally much more expensive in Canada than other countries and, service providers often charge you for incoming calls.

Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2017 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

• Bell: C$84.95 a month (Standard Broadband up to 25mb)
• Velcom: C$49.95 a month (Standard Broadband up to 50mb)
• Virgin: C$50 a month (Standard Broadband up to 25mb)
• Primus: C$49.95 a month (Standard Broadband up to 25mb))

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Toronto’s hottest and most humid month is July, with an average maximum temperature of 26°C. January is the coldest month with an average maximum temperature of -1°C.

There is generally snow on the ground from December until March and you can expect rain or snow to fall on around 110 days of the years.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

• Pair of Jeans: C$40 – C$90
• Summer Dress: C$29.99 – C$60
• Running Shoes (Trainers): C$70 – C$120
• Business Shoes: C$80 – C$200
• Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): C$58
• Deodorant: C$4.87
• Shampoo: C$5.29
• Toilet Paper (4 rolls): C$2.50
• Gym membership: C$35 – C$75 per month
• Movie (cinema) ticket: C$12 – C$15

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Toronto

One of Toronto’s claim to fame is that is has the longest commuting time in Canada and the highest parking fees.

If you’re moving to Toronto from within Canada, your Canadian license is valid for 60 days. After that time, you must apply for an Ontario driving license. If you are moving to Toronto from another country, then you may be able to exchange your license without taking a driving test. This depends on which country you are relocating from. If your country isn’t on the list then you will need to take a driving test.

Another route is to get International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave your home country. IDP’s are valid for 12 months and your license will be in English and French.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Toronto:

• Volkswagen Golf:C$25,340
• 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):C$1.09
• Vehicle Permit:C$32
• Other fees:Go to other costs for details of other fees, many of which depend on the type of car you own

Source: Expatistan, CAA

Ways to save money on driving in Toronto

• Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld, Smart Commute, Rideshare, eRideshare or Craigslist .
• Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try  Uber.

9. Taxes in Toronto

No matter where you live in Canada, you will pay Federal Tax and then you will pay Provincial Tax which varies from province to province. To learn more about the different taxes go to Settlement.org and the Canadian Revenue Agency.

Sales Tax is 13% in Ontario and is added to most goods and services throughout the country. It is not included in the marked price. Tax is added at the checkout and itemised at the bottom of your bill.

If you decide to buy a house or apartment in Toronto, you will be subject to provincial land transfer tax and municipal land transfer tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. As of April 2017, buyers of property in Toronto who are not residents or citizens of Canada will have to pay 15% more for property. This is an attempt by the government to stop the soaring houses prices in the city.

10. Flight Costs from Toronto

If you do make the move to Toronto, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2017:

• New York: C$130
• Los Angeles: C$224
• London: C$244
• Vancouver: C$243
• Dubai: C$524
• Sydney: C$738
• Melbourne: C$744
• Cape Town: C$942
• Hong Kong: C$725

Other Tips on Relocating to Toronto

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Toronto but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Toronto Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Toronto.

• Meetups: Toronto has lots of free meetup groups you can find at Meetup. Find groups for skating, entrepreneurs, football fans and more.
• Attend local events: There’s always a lot going on in Toronto. Discover local events through sites such as See Toronto Now, Toronto, Toronto Events, To Do Canada and Timeout.

12.Moving to Toronto with a Family

Toronto has a lot to offer families. The beach, winter sports, parks, the zoo, aquarium and museums to name just a few of the activities on offer.

Here’s some extra food for thought.

• New parents (or parents to be): Have a look at the following sites to see what groups are available for new parents or parents to be – Baby and Me Fitness, Regent Park Community Health and Unison.
• Live in a family friendly area: Toronto is full of family friendly areas with good schools and amenities to match. in Toronto.  Allenby and Don Mills have excellent schools and house/apartment prices are reasonable but rental properties are scarce. Deer Park is an upmarket area and great for families but again, rentals are few and far between. Davisville and Humber Summit are both affordable areas with lots of parks and rentals are available. The Beaches and Bayview Village are affluent areas with rental and great places to raise kids. Yorkmills is one of the most sought after and expensive areas in Toronto. It is also one of the safest and has excellent schools and amenities.
• Find things to do with the kids: Toronto 4 Kids, To Do Canada, Scary Mommy, Alpha Mom and My Little Nomads all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Toronto for Work

Moving to a new city for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.

Toronto is considered the financial and business capital of Canada, therefore jobs in banking, finance and insurance are top of the list. Communication companies are also big employers in the city.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

• Salary: Salaries in Toronto are not as high as other major cities in the world, but the cost of living is lower which compensates for that. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
• How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Toronto, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start:Monster, Indeed, Workopolis, Toronto Jobs and Wow Jobs. You may also want to google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Toronto from Australia

There’s a large contingent of Australians living in Toronto. Here are a few things to consider if you are thinking of joining them.

• Size comparison: If you compare the population size of Toronto with the size of a city in Australia, the closest would be a slightly larger version of Brisbane. If you look at the whole Toronto metro, then you would be looking at Sydney.
• Join expat groups: Internations, Newcomers Canada and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Toronto.

15. Moving to Toronto from the United States

It’s estimated that there are nearly 80,000 eligible US voters living in Toronto, which makes it the city with the third largest population of American overseas citizens. Here a few bonus tips for those of you considering joining your fellow Americans.

• Size: If you look at the population of Toronto and compare it with a city in the States, the closest in size is Chicago.
• Expat groups: If you want to meet up with fellow Americans, have look at the following sites – Meetup, Internations and American Women’s Club of Toronto.

16. Moving to Toronto from the United Kingdom

The British have been settling in Toronto since the late 18^th century, when the city was the Town of York. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:

• Size: If you compare the population size of Toronto with a city in the UK, you would need to look at a city which is almost three times the size of Birmingham or a third of the size of London.
• Expat groups:If you would like to meet other Brits living in Toronto, have a look at the following sites – Internations, Meetup and Newcomers Canada.

Read our full guide on Moving To Canada From The UK.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Toronto you can start by comparing moving quotes here.

Guides to moving and living in other Canadian cities: