City Cost Report
Chicago skyline
Chicago
Toronto skyline
Toronto
VS

Chicago and Toronto have similar costs overall.

ChicagoToronto
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,937.48 CAD$2,450.00 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,377.96 CAD$2,100.00 CAD
Groceries Index105108
Monthly Transit Pass$104.91 CAD$156.00 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$202.83 CAD$160.00 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.33 CAD$1.65 CAD
Mid-range Meal$33.57 CAD$28.00 CAD
Gym Membership$69.94 CAD$70.00 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$2,238.08 CAD$1,750.00 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Chicago...

You would need $59,200 in Toronto to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago cheaper than Toronto?

Chicago and Toronto have similar costs overall.

How much is rent in Chicago vs Toronto?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,100 USD per month in Chicago and $2,450 CAD in Toronto. Outside the centre, it is $1,700 USD in Chicago and $2,100 CAD in Toronto.

What salary do I need to move from Chicago to Toronto?

On average, you need about 99% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Chicago is roughly equivalent to $59,200 in Toronto.

Related comparisons