Toronto vs Rome
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Rome is ~20% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Toronto
Canada
COL+Rent
60.6
Rent Index
49.3
Groceries
73.2
Restaurant
72.3
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Toronto | Rome | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,174 | $1,426 | +$748 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,728 | $1,000 | +$728 |
| Groceries | $410 | $329 | +$81 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $18 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $92 | $37 | +$55 |
| Utilities | $160 | $211 | $51 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Toronto | Rome |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,355/mo | $1,550/mo |
| Typical | $3,166/mo | $2,273/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,904/mo | $2,823/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Toronto | ≈ in Rome | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,203/mo | -$297 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,604/mo | -$396 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,406/mo | -$594 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Toronto vs Rome for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Rome is approximately 20% more affordable than Toronto when combining rent and daily living costs. Toronto's COL+Rent Index of 60.6 vs Rome's 48.6 (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 Toronto costs $2,174/month versus $1,426/month in Rome — giving Rome a $748/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,976 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Toronto ($410/mo) vs Rome ($329/mo) reflect Rome's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $18 show Rome 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, Rome offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,273 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.