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City Comparison

Both cities have similar costs

The Verdict

Living in Boston is 0% more expensive than Toronto.
If you move from Boston to Toronto, you will pay more for housing and less for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a $75,000 salary in Boston, you would need to earn about $75,000 in Toronto.

Boston Wins
1

of 6 categories

Tied
1

categories

Toronto Wins
4

of 6 categories

Category Breakdown

Compare costs across 6 key categories

Overall Cost
88
Boston
vs
88
Toronto
Same cost
Rent
90
Boston
vs
105
Toronto
Boston is 15 pts cheaper
Groceries
92
Boston
vs
85
Toronto
Toronto is 7 pts cheaper
Restaurants
95
Boston
vs
80
Toronto
Toronto is 15 pts cheaper
Transport
85
Boston
vs
82
Toronto
Toronto is 3 pts cheaper
Utilities
110
Boston
vs
88
Toronto
Toronto is 22 pts cheaper

City Profiles

What makes each city unique

BostonUnited States
Boston is a biotech and education hub with high salaries and historic charm.

Why people love Boston:

Biotech/pharma hubTop universitiesHistoric cityHealthcare excellence
Population
692,600
Avg. Salary
$5,200/mo
TorontoCanada
Toronto is Canada's largest city with diverse economy and multicultural population.

Why people love Toronto:

Multicultural hubFinancial centerTech growthDiverse economy
Population
2,731,571
Avg. Salary
$2,655/mo

Real Monthly Costs

Estimated costs based on NYC baseline prices

ExpenseBostonTorontoSavings
1-bed apartment (city center)$3,150$3,675+$525
Monthly groceries$414$383$-31
Dining out (10 meals)$333$280$-53
Public transport pass$111$107$-4
Utilities (electric, heating, water)$220$176$-44
Total Monthly$4,227$4,620+$393

* Estimates based on NYC = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.

Who Should Choose Which City?

Recommendations based on your priorities

Choose Boston if you...
  • Are looking for more affordable housing
  • Prioritize safety (score: 71/100)
  • Want higher earning potential ($5,200/mo avg)
  • Have children (lower childcare costs)
  • Work in tech or startups
Choose Toronto if you...
  • Work in tech or startups

Quality of Life & Safety

Beyond just costs - what matters for daily life

Boston
77

Quality of Life Score

Boston
71

Safety Score

Salary Equivalence

How much you'd need in Toronto to match a Boston salary

Salary in BostonEquivalent in TorontoDifference
$50,000$50,000$0 more
$75,000$75,000$0 more
$100,000$100,000$0 more
$125,000$125,000$0 more
$150,000$150,000$0 more
$200,000$200,000$0 more

Boston vs Toronto: Summary

The overall cost of living differs by 0%.

Rent: Boston has a rent index of 90, while Toronto has 105.

Average Salaries: Boston: $5,200/month vs Toronto: $2,655/month (both in USD).

Out of 6 categories, Boston wins 1, while Toronto wins 4.

Compare more cities or calculate your US take-home pay.