What is MovingWaldo?
MovingWaldo is a one-stop-shop that simplifies tackling moving tasks
Easily compare multiple quotes
Guided through a checklist
Get up to speed on the new deals
Update your address in a few clicks
Are you a company or real estate professional?
Timing is everything, connect with people weeks before they move
Become a trusted vendor in your service area
Extend your customer relationship with your own branded moving platform
Address change
Internet
Movers
Toronto is the most populated city in Canada while Vancouver is the third most populated city in Canada. Both are big cities seeing exponential growth due to their vibrant economies, exciting activities, and gorgeous scenery. However, it may be challenging to choose between these two cities since they are so different. For example, Toronto has a cosmopolitan air that many people associate with New York City. On the other hand, Vancouver has a distinctively Western vibe about it, which reminds people more of San Francisco or Seattle.
Let’s see how these two cities compare and which one you should choose as your new home. Since there are many aspects that you need to think about before you make a decision, our comparison guide will help you choose between living in Vancouver vs. Toronto.
The first and most crucial point to consider is transporting within the cities. In Vancouver it’s TransLink, whereas in Toronto, it’s Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).
Keep scrolling to see all you need to know about these transits and their fares.
TransLink is the regional authority for transportation in Metro Vancouver. It runs a public transit system including buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express commuter train service.
Checkout the table below to find out the average cost of public transportation in Vancouver.
BUS AND METRO
Zones | Adult | Compass card | Concessions | Day pass | Monthly pass |
1 zone | $3.05 | $2.45 | $2.00 | $ 10.75 | $100.25 |
2 zones | $4.35 | $3.55 | $3.00 | $ 10.75 | $134 |
3 zones | $5.90 | $4.60 | $4.05 | $ 10.75 | $181.05 |
(*Translink)
What Are the Public Transit Opening Hours in Vancouver?
The sky train operates between 5 am to 1 am on weekdays. On Saturdays between 6 am and 1 am and on Sundays between 7 am to 1 am. The exact time varies by train.
TTC or Toronto Transit Commission runs three modes; subway, streetcars, and buses. The subway is served by two major lines. The Yellow Line (from northern Yonge Street to Union Station, back north once again) and Green Line (beginning in the Etobicoke neighborhood and running through Central Toronto to the Scarborough district).
Checkout the table below to find out the average cost of public transportation in Toronto.
BUS AND METRO
TRANSIT-FARES | REGULAR FARE | STUDENTS (18+) | YOUTH (13-19 YEARS OLD) AND SENIOR (65+) |
1 trip | $3.25 | – | $2.30 |
1-day pass | $13.50 | – | – |
Monthly pass | $156 | $128.15 | $128.15 |
Note: There is no fee for children between the ages of 12 and under.
(*TTC)
What Are the Public Transit Opening Hours in Toronto?
The metro operates daily between 6 am to 2 am Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the metro operates between 8 am to 2 am. The exact time varies by station.
So we can say that one significant difference between the two is that TransLink operates zone-wise and offers a compass card along with concessions. Thus making it cheaper than TTC.
Ads
Next comes another important point to consider – the cost of groceries.
Average Cost of Groceries in Vancouver | Average Cost of Groceries in Toronto | ||
Items (1 kg) | Prices | Items (1 kg) | Prices |
Milk (1 Liter) | $2.37 | Milk (1 Liter) | $3.90 |
Loaf of bread | $3.20 | Loaf of bread | $2.84 |
Rice | $4.49 | Rice | $3.57 |
Dozen Eggs | $3.97 | Dozen Eggs | $3.40 |
Local Cheese | $17.07 | Local Cheese | $13.64 |
Chicken | $16.39 | Chicken | $13.58 |
Beef round | $22.05 | Beef round | $16.41 |
Apple | $3.82 | Apple | $4.14 |
Banana | $1.74 | Banana | $1.60 |
Orange | $3.77 | Orange | $3.65 |
Tomato | $4.28 | Tomato | $3.66 |
Potato | $3.22 | Potato | $2.92 |
Onion | $3.26 | Onion | $2.50 |
Head of Lettuce | $2.74 | Head of Lettuce | $2.46 |
Water Bottle 1.5L | $2.42 | Water Bottle 1.5L | $2.23 |
Grocery for 1 person | $227.35 per month. | Grocery for 1 person | $283.60 per month. |
(*Cost of Living Vancouver & Toronto )
In the grocery department, Vancouver is taking the lead with its affordable pricing.
Are you looking for something fun to do in both cities? We have got you covered.
Do you want to work in a metropolis and go outdoors every night or weekend? For you, Vancouver is the place. Outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, running, skiing, paddling, and diving, are available near the city center. You can also drive up to the Sea-to-Sky Highway, hike the Grouse Grind, cycle around Stanley Park, and go kayaking in Deep Cove. So there are plenty of activities for you to experience nature first hand. However, there are also plenty of activities in the city, such as excellent restaurants, exciting festivals, and art galleries.
Comparatively, Toronto is for people who enjoy living in cities. It has everything a city dweller could desire and more. If you are a nature lover, Toronto might not be the ideal city for you. However, there is a beautiful Toronto Music Garden for nature lovers that will let you experience nature in its truest form. Excursions up the Humber River and fine dining on the picturesque Humber River are also some of the favorite activities of people living in Toronto.
Art lovers can also be pleased in Toronto by taking a stroll down the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. Moreover, the biggest city in Canada is never devoid of activity throughout the year, owing to a variety of festivals held in the city like the Toronto International Film Festival, Ashkenaz Festival of Yiddish Culture, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, etc.
Cost of Entertainment in Vancouver | Cost of Entertainment in Toronto |
While Vancouver is a relatively inexpensive city compared to other Canadian cities, it does not imply that it is inexpensive throughout the board. When you look at all of the necessities, Vancouver’s average cost of entertainment is $244 per capita.
Assuming you drink four beers, have a meal at a restaurant with friends, go to the cinema twice, and have four regular restaurant meals throughout the month, your monthly expenditure would be around $211. | When it comes to entertainment, Toronto is a city that never sleeps. The following are the average costs of fun in Toronto:
Suppose you have four beers, a restaurant trip with friends, two movie visits, and four typical restaurant meals every month. In that case, the average cost is $230. |
The cost of entertainment in Vancouver and Toronto is approximately the same. However, it is a little bit less expensive in Vancouver.
Compared to the national average, Toronto and Vancouver are both expensive places to live, with housing prices and day-to-day expenses considered. What is it like to live in Vancouver and Toronto in terms of housing is a question asked by many.
In the table below, you’ll find a chart that compares the average cost of living in Vancouver, including various apartment types, their rents, and expenses in three critical regions of Vancouver.
City District | Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 + Bedroom |
Downtown Vancouver | $1800 | $2100 | $3100 | $5000 |
West End | $1590 | $1850 | $2600 | $4350 |
South Granville | – | $1720 | $2600 | $3200 |
Kitsilano/Point Grey | $1770 | $1878 | $2465 | $3650 |
Westside/Kerrisdale | $1649 | $1845 | $2375 | $3855 |
Marpole | $1750 | $1850 | $2400 | $2550 |
Mount Pleasant/Renfrew Heights | $1625 | $2100 | $2695 | $4500 |
East Hastings | $1300 | $1525 | $1750 | $2300 |
North Vancouver | $1916 | $1960 | $2518 | $2980 |
How Much Is a House in Vancouver?
The average price of a house in Vancouver is $1,211,200.
The following is a table summarizing the cost of housing in Toronto, including various apartment types and pricing.
City District | Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 + Bedroom |
Liberty Village | $1400 | $1850 | $2500 | $4700 |
Kensington | – | $1525 | $2350 | $2400 |
Parkdale | $1295 | $1563 | $2099 | $2897 |
Yorkville | $1525 | $2069 | $3600 | $7800 |
Runnymede | – | $1498 | $2200 | $3525 |
Riverdale | $1550 | $1915 | $2450 | $4025 |
The Beaches | $1288 | $1695 | $2450 | $3850 |
East Danforth | $1295 | $1550 | $1860 | $3250 |
As mentioned earlier, the cost of housing is expensive in both Vancouver and Toronto. However, if you want to pick a cheaper option between the two, Vancouver should be your pick. Housing in Vancouver is on average a little bit more affordable.
How Much Is a House in Toronto?
The average price of a house in Toronto is $1,172,900.
With Canada’s current lowest unemployment rate, the British Columbia economy is typically diversified and robust. People work as software developers, accountants, marketers, advertisers, and across various occupations in a variety of businesses in Vancouver. Outside of the city, there are several outdoor employment options for people of all skill levels. Within Canada, the province has one of the most robust and most diversified economies.
Toronto’s economy, like Vancouver’s, is also vital. This is due in no small part to diversification. For example, in Toronto, banks and financial organizations have a significant presence. Toronto is located within the city center. While this implies that Toronto has a healthy banking sector, it also suggests that Toronto’s primary industries are heavily influenced by finance. This is excellent news if you work in the financial industry. However, if you wish to work in other sectors, Vancouver is typically a better option.
Here is a quick look at the most common professions and their salaries in both cities.
Average salary | Vancouver | Toronto |
Physician | $125,146 | $89,224 |
Teacher | $37,889 | $40,439 |
Software Engineer | $57,673 | $57,673 |
Hardware Engineer | $50,582 | $62,548 |
Lawyer | $54,747 | $72,036 |
Sales Manager | $53,362 | $59,519 |
Architect | $50,981 | $47,727 |
Accountant | $43,096 | $44,617 |
Fashion Designer | $30,246 | $39,376 |
Chef | $42,930 | $31,969 |
While you can think of what the environment feels like when you move, it is vital to consider how much you will need to spend to live comfortably in a new place. Looking at the table above, you see that the cost of living in Toronto is more expensive. Being a bigger city, it has a more expensive average living cost in terms of utilities, transportation, grocery cost, and entertainment. However, if you plan to buy a car, Vancouver has a higher insurance cost compared to Toronto. This is primarily because the province of British Columbia, where Vancouver belongs, has the most expensive car insurance costs. The cost of living in Vancouver is pretty comparable to Toronto.
Category | Vancouver | Toronto |
Housing | $1869 for a 1-bedroom apartment | $1708 For a 1-bedroom apartment |
Housing Utilities and Insurance | $149 | $215 |
Transportation | $100.25 (Translink) | $156 (TCC Pass) |
Car Insurance | $1832 | $1528 |
Entertainment | $211 | $230 |
Grocery Cost for 1 Person | $227.35 | $283.60 |
Communication (Phone and Internet) | $80 Unlimited talk, text, and data included | $80 Unlimited talk, text, and data included |
Health and Fitness | $55 for the membership | $55 for the membership |
Provincial Taxes | About 12% | About 13% |
Here are the significant differences between the two:
Lifestyle | Neighborhood |
Young Professionals and Singles | Gastown, Yaletown and Kitsilano |
Families | Main Street, Olympic Village and Mount Pleasant |
Students | West End |
Lifestyle | Neighborhood |
Young Professionals | Yonge-Eglinton, Liberty Village and King West. |
Families | Leslieville, Allenby and Deer Park. |
Students | Harbourfront, Cabbagetown and Church-Wellesley. |
Applicable tax on the taxable income includes:
Applicable tax on the taxable income includes:
The federal tax rate is the same in Vancouver and in Toronto. Applicable tax on the taxable income includes:
There are three types of sales taxes in Canada. In the province of British Columbia, they have PST and GST that are set at about 7% and 5% respectively, coming to a total of 12%.
There are three types of sales taxes in Canada. In Ontario, they have HST which is set at about 13%.
Taxable income is a little bit higher in Vancouver but the sales tax rate is a little bit lower compared to Toronto.
Both are major cities in Canada and therefore the two cities offer plenty of opportunities and activities. Even if the two cities are expensive, the cost of living in Vancouver is a little bit lower compared to the cost of living in Toronto. However, Vancouver might be a better choice for you if you are a nature lover. It all depends on your preferences. If you are planning to move soon, check out the 5 best moving companies in Vancouver and 5 best moving companies in Toronto.
Booking trustworthy movers starts here
+120
verified and experienced professionals to choose from
Living in Calgary vs. Toronto: Where Should You Live? Calgary, the third most livable city in the world, holds the title of being the Canadian city with the most sprawling architecture. It’s a small city with
Top 5 Best Real Estate Lawyers in Toronto – Discover the Best Lawyers in TO A big thumbs-up for taking the first step towards owning a residential property in Toronto! But buying property here might not
11 Essential Moving Day Tips and Hacks Moving day isn’t the best day of the year. Yet, the thrill of moving to a different neighborhood and home can make it seem less burdensome. But, going through
Top 5 Plumbers in Toronto – Find The Best Licensed Plumbers in The GTA Area We rely on water flowing freely from our taps and toilets for washing and cleaning. But many of us take running
Living in Ottawa vs Toronto: Where Should You Live? Ottawa, the capital of Canada, has a diverse and multicultural population. The city is surrounded by natural beauty, unpolluted air, land, and water. World-class beautiful locales include
While Toronto is a relatively safe city to live in, some of its neighborhoods are safer than others. While many Torontonians look for an apartment near a subway station, others make security and safety their primary
Easily compare multiple quotes
Guided through a checklist
Get up to speed on the new deals
Update your address in a few clicks
Become a trusted vendor in your service area
MovingWaldo is a one-stop-shop that simplifies tackling moving tasks
What is MovingWaldo?
We guide millions of families through each step of their moving process, helping them save time and money, and making sure nothing gets left behind.
Comparez plusieurs devis
Guidé à travers une checklist
Mettez à jour votre adresse en quelques clics
Soyez au courant des nouvelles offres internet à domicile
Devenez un fournisseur de confiance pour desservir votre région
Prolongez la relation avec vos clients grâce à votre propre plateforme de déménagement personnalisé
Qu'est-ce que MovingWaldo ?
MovingWaldo est un guichet unique qui simplifie la planification du déménagement
Talk to our experts about your moving project.
Great ! Expect a call shortly. Our moving expert are available during business hours, Monday to Friday 9AM to 5PM EST.
Enter your promo code and update your cart.
