How Much The Living Cost in Toronto?

If you have a plan to move to the city of Toronto, you need to find out what is Toronto like, what kind of job opportunity that in demand, how to get around in the city, and also how much money that you have to prepare to live in. This article will explain a general estimation of living cost in Toronto.

Rent Apartment Cost

For 2 bed room apartment, the cost varies from $ 850 to $ 2,500. Rent cost depends on the location, age of the building, amenities, and also interior of the suite. Apartments which are far from the city, old and damp building, old hardwood floor, old equipments, are usually not too expensive. The electricity and water costs normally are included, but it’s not furnished though. So you also need to buy furniture, either is new or old one. Here is the information of some new furniture prices: sofa set $ 400 to $ 1,200, dining set $ 200 to $ 600, bed set (platform & headboard bed, drawer, night stands) $ 600 to $ 900, queen mattress $ 200 to $ 400.

Phone, Internet, and Cable Costs   

Rogers is the leading company that provides phone, internet and cable services in Toronto. Every month Rogers charges the home phone, limited internet 15 GB, and basic cable for $ 160 to $ 180.

Transportation  Cost

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the company that provides public transportation for Torontonians with subway trains, streetcars, and buses. Students or seniors pay $ 104, while adults pay $ 126 for monthly pass, and single fare ticket/ token are $ 3 for adults and $ 2 for seniors/students.

Other option for travel in Toronto is by car. With $ 2,000 you can buy Chevrolet Venture (2001 and 227,000 km) or 2000 Nissan Maxima with 300,000 km driving done. With $ 5,000, 2003 Hyundai Elantra (150,000 km) or 2001 Honda Odyssey (200,000 km) can be your choice. Gas price in Toronto is around $ 1.12 to $ 1.23 per litre at this time (December 2011).  

Food Cost

In Toronto, there are many options of supermarkets like Western/ European, India, or Chinese supermarkets that we can choose. In average, the food cost for 2 people is $ 75 to $ 100 per week. Here are some examples of prices for: potatoes $ 1/pound, rice $ 16/pound,  $meat $ 4/ pound, chicken $ 1.50 to $ 3/pound, large eggs $ 2.60 to $ 3 per 12 eggs, onion $ 0.90/pound, and banana $0.70/pound.

Clothes and Shoes Costs

Clothes and shoes styles always change following the season. In Walmart Store, we can find clothes starting from $ 7 and up, while for shoes starting from $ 15 and up. For a brand name clothes or shoes, the price of course much higher, it is starting from $ 50 and up.

Entertainment Cost

Eating out cost varies it’s starting from $ 5 if you eat at Wendy’s, MacDonald, or KFC. Restaurant cost is starting from $ 20/person and up. The book price in Toronto is $ 10 and up. And if you want to watch a movie in theatre you need to prepare money $ 15 to $ 25.

The above price information that I provide is the base price, because Toronto applies sales tax in range   5% to 14% depends on the kind of products. Based on recent survey from consultancy firm Mercer, the cost of living of Toronto is in 59^th position globally, so it’s not cheap living in Toronto.