How Much Does It Cost to Live in Toronto in 2026?

Look, before anything else I need to be honest with you: I live in Vancouver, not Toronto. But since Toronto is by far the most popular destination for Brazilians in Canada, I dug in deep, talked to several friends who live there, and I’m going to bring you the real numbers. And the best part: I’ll compare them with what I pay here in Vancouver, so you have a real reference from someone living this day to day.

Let’s dive in.

We also have a structured Toronto guide: Toronto for Brazilian Immigrants: cost of living, neighbourhoods and job market in a quick-reference format.

How much does housing cost in Toronto in 2026?

Rent is by far the biggest cost of living in Toronto. There’s no way around it. Here are the current averages:

Now let me tell you my reality here in Vancouver: Clara and I pay CAD 1,500/month for a 1-bedroom with a balcony in south Vancouver, near Richmond. “Caio, what do you mean 1,500? The market is at 2,300-2,500!” Look, we found this apartment through a friend from church who was moving out. He referred us straight to the landlord. If I were searching on the open market, I’d easily be paying 800 more a month. So write this down: networking and community save you. Got it?

Tip: In Toronto, consider surrounding cities like Mississauga, Brampton or Hamilton. Rent can be 20-30% lower and GO Transit connects well with downtown. It’s the same logic that makes living in south Vancouver instead of downtown worth it: you trade a bit of convenience for hundreds of dollars every month.

How much does food cost in Toronto?

Groceries in Canada are significantly more expensive than in Brazil, especially fresh fruit and vegetables. The first time I saw the price of a red bell pepper here I almost cried. Classic Brazilian: we move abroad and mess things up, and mine was thinking I’d eat the same way I did in Brazil.

• Groceries (couple): CAD 600-800/month
• Casual restaurant: CAD 18-25 per meal
• Coffee (Tim Hortons): CAD 2.50-4.00

My reality: Clara and I spend around 500-600/month on groceries, but we’re very disciplined. We cook at home almost every day. Restaurants are a luxury: we go maybe once or twice a month, and that’s pushing it. Money’s already tight at the end of the month to be spending on restaurants, right?

Save money: Supermarkets like No Frills, FreshCo and Food Basics have lower prices. The Flipp app helps you compare deals. And the first time our friends from church took us to Costco, because we still didn’t have a car, it was a revelation. You buy in bulk and save a lot in the long run. Just don’t go without a list, or you’ll walk out having spent 300 on stuff you didn’t even need.

How much does transport cost in Toronto?

• TTC Metropass (Toronto): CAD 156/month (unlimited monthly pass)
• Car (monthly total): CAD 800-1,200 (insurance + fuel + parking)
• Uber (average ride): CAD 15-25

For newcomers, public transit is the best option. A car in Toronto, just like in Vancouver, is a luxury, not a necessity, at least at the start.

My experience: In the first months here in Vancouver, we depended 100% on public transit and the kindness of friends from church who gave us rides. TransLink here works by zones, which is different from the TTC. Later I got my BC driver’s licence (written and road test, I spent about 360 total) and life changed. But until you have a car, the bus and the SkyTrain get the job done.

What other essential costs are there in Toronto?

• Cell phone: CAD 50-85/month (plans with 20-50GB of data)
• Internet: CAD 60-90/month (fibre optic)
• Health insurance (first 3 months): CAD 100-150/month (before OHIP kicks in in Ontario, or MSP in BC)
• Gym: CAD 30-60/month

How much does it cost to live in Toronto per month?

These figures include housing, food, transport, cell phone and internet. They don’t include leisure, travel or variable expenses.

Being transparent with you: Clara and I are a couple in the Vancouver suburbs, 1-bedroom, and we spend around 3,200-3,500/month total. But that’s because we got lucky with the rent. If we were paying market price, we’d easily be in the 4,000-4,500 range. Every dollar counts when you’re starting out.

Is it worth it?

Look, both Toronto and Vancouver are expensive cities. There’s no softening that. But here’s the deal: salaries are proportionally higher, safety is incredible compared to Brazil, the public health system exists (OHIP in Ontario, MSP in BC), and the quality of life is real. I arrived in September 2024 with Clara and, even though every month is tight, I don’t regret it for a single second.

The secret is to plan your first 6 months well and adapt your lifestyle gradually. Don’t try to live here the way you lived in Brazil: adapt, save, and build it up little by little. God has been faithful on this journey, and everything has worked out at the right timing.

Toronto isn’t the only option: compare it with other cities in our guide to the best Canadian cities for Brazilians. Want to compare Toronto’s monthly cost with your city in Brazil? Use the Cost of Living Comparator: it includes Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal versus São Paulo, Rio, Curitiba and BH. And if you’re planning the move, check out the first steps when you arrive in Canada and how the Canadian health system works.

I got your back on this journey. Any questions, send me a message!