Ontario · Updated June 2026
Cost of living in Toronto
Canada's largest city, and second only to Vancouver on rent. Transit is the priciest monthly pass of any major city here, and housing eats a large share of even a strong income.
What it costs each month in Toronto
Typical figures for a one-person household. Your own number depends on your housing, habits, and income — that’s what the Cost of Living Score assessment works out.
Rent is the CMHC average in-place one-bedroom rent (what current tenants pay), via Statistics Canada (2025-12). New-lease asking rents typically run higher.
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How Toronto compares
Common questions about living in Toronto
How much does it cost to live in Toronto?
A typical single-person household in Toronto spends about $2,507 per month on the essentials: $1,761 rent, $415 groceries, $156 transit, and $175 utilities.
What is the average rent in Toronto?
The CMHC in-place average for a one-bedroom in Toronto is about $1,761 per month — what current tenants pay, via Statistics Canada. New-lease asking rents typically run higher.
How much are utilities in Toronto?
Hydro, heating, and internet for a one-bedroom in Toronto run about $175 per month.
Is Toronto an affordable place to live?
Toronto scores 28/100 on our Cost of Living Score, where higher means more affordable — that's "Pricey". Its typical monthly essentials run about 18% above the average Canadian city we track.
How this score is calculated
The Cost of Living Score adds up a city’s typical monthly essentials — rent, groceries, transit, and utilities — and compares that total to the average across the Canadian cities we track. A city at the average scores around 50; cheaper cities score higher, pricier ones lower. Higher always means more affordable.
Sources: Rent is the CMHC Rental Market Survey 1-bedroom average (2025, via Statistics Canada); groceries from Canada's Food Price Report 2025 adjusted for ON price levels; transit is the TTC adult monthly pass; utilities blend Ontario electricity (time-of-use) and CRTC internet pricing. Figures are typical city-level estimates for a one-person household, not a personal budget, and shift over time. Last updated June 2026.