Cost of Living in Toronto

Is Toronto expensive to live in?

Toronto is Canada's largest city and economic capital, home to over 6 million people in the Greater Toronto Area. It is widely regarded as one of the most multicultural cities on the planet — more than half of residents were born outside Canada, and over 200 languages are spoken across its neighbourhoods. The city offers world-class job opportunities in finance, tech, media and healthcare, but it has become genuinely expensive over the past decade, especially for housing.

A comfortable monthly budget for a single expat is around €2,600, with rent for a one-bedroom in a central neighbourhood (downtown, Liberty Village, King West) accounting for €1,900 of that. Toronto sits in the same affordability tier as London or Amsterdam — high quality of life, but you need a solid Canadian salary or remote income to live well.

Rent and housing in Toronto

Toronto's rental market is the most expensive in Canada and one of the toughest in North America. A furnished one-bedroom in downtown costs CAD 2,400 to 3,000 per month (roughly €1,650 to €2,050). Outside the core, in neighbourhoods like Leslieville, Roncesvalles or East York, you can find one-bedrooms from CAD 1,900 to 2,400 (€1,300 to €1,650). Condos dominate the rental market downtown — most buildings have gyms, pools and 24-hour concierge.

The market is competitive: most listings receive multiple applicants within days. Be ready with proof of income (typically 3x monthly rent), employment letter, credit check and Canadian references. Platforms include Realtor.ca, PadMapper, Zumper and Facebook Marketplace. Expat-focused platforms like Liv.rent simplify the process for newcomers.

Food and drink in Toronto

Toronto's food scene mirrors its diversity — some of the best dim sum, Sri Lankan, Ethiopian, Persian and Korean food in North America is here, often at modest prices. A quick lunch from Kensington Market or Chinatown costs CAD 12 to 18 (€8 to €13). A casual dinner with drinks at a mid-range restaurant lands around CAD 35 to 50 per person (€25 to €35). Fine dining downtown easily exceeds CAD 100 per person.

Groceries are notably more expensive than in the US or Europe. Loblaws and Metro are the dominant chains, while No Frills and FreshCo are budget-friendly. The St. Lawrence Market and weekend farmers markets across the city offer high-quality produce. A typical weekly grocery bill for one person runs CAD 110 to 130 (€75 to €90).

Transport in Toronto

Toronto's public transport, run by the TTC, includes 4 subway lines, an extensive streetcar network (the largest in North America) and hundreds of bus routes. A monthly Presto pass costs CAD 156 (around €105), with a CAD 220 (€155) version covering GO Transit regional trains. The base ride fare is CAD 3.30 (€2.30). The system is reliable but ages compared to European metros, and rush-hour subways are crowded.

Most expats living downtown do not need a car. If you do drive, parking downtown costs CAD 25 to 40 per day, and insurance is among the highest in Canada. Uber, Lyft and Bolt all operate. Cycling infrastructure has expanded significantly, with protected bike lanes on major arteries and the Bike Share Toronto network.

Weather in Toronto

Toronto has four very distinct seasons. Summers (June to August) are warm and humid, with temperatures often reaching 28 to 32°C. Autumns are spectacular — bright sunshine, crisp air and the famous orange-red foliage. Winters (December to February) are cold and snowy, with temperatures regularly dipping to -10°C and occasional cold snaps below -20°C. The city's PATH network — 30 kilometres of underground walkways linking downtown buildings — keeps daily life running through winter.

Quality of life in Toronto

Toronto consistently ranks in the world's top 20 most liveable cities. Healthcare is universal and free at point of use for permanent residents and citizens (private insurance fills gaps for newcomers in their first 90 days). Public schools are strong, the lakefront and Toronto Islands offer green respite, and the city is exceptionally safe by North American standards.

Visas and practical tips for Toronto

Canada offers several immigration pathways. Express Entry (federal skilled worker stream) is the most common route for tech, finance and engineering professionals — applicants are scored on age, education, language and work experience. The Provincial Nominee Program lets Ontario sponsor candidates with in-demand skills. Working holiday visas (IEC) are available to citizens of around 35 countries aged 18 to 35.

French citizens benefit from one of the most generous IEC quotas — open work permits up to 24 months. Once you arrive, apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN), open a bank account at one of the Big Five banks (RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC), and register for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) which has a 90-day waiting period.

Total monthly budget in Toronto

A comfortable monthly budget for a single expat in Toronto is around €2,600 — rent downtown (€1,900), utilities and internet (€150), groceries (€340), eating out (€250), transport (€105) and leisure (€155). Couples sharing a one-bedroom can comfortably split costs and reduce per-person budgets to roughly €1,700.

Compare Toronto with other cities

See how the cost of living in Toronto compares to other popular destinations.