London vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Toronto is ~17% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Toronto
Canada
COL+Rent
60.6
Rent Index
49.3
Groceries
73.2
Restaurant
72.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Toronto | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $2,174 | +$329 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $1,728 | +$232 |
| Groceries | $422 | $410 | +$12 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $22 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $92 | +$21 |
| Utilities | $258 | $160 | +$98 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $2,355/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $3,166/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $3,904/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Toronto | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,247/mo | -$253 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,663/mo | -$337 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,494/mo | -$506 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Toronto for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Toronto is approximately 17% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Toronto's 60.6 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in London costs $2,503/month versus $2,174/month in Toronto — giving Toronto a $329/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,948 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Toronto ($410/mo) reflect Toronto's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $22 show Toronto offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Toronto offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $3,166 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.