Toronto vs Singapore
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Toronto is ~22% 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
Singapore
Singapore
COL+Rent
77.4
Rent Index
73.1
Groceries
75.3
Restaurant
50.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Toronto | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,174 | $3,120 | $946 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,728 | $2,280 | $552 |
| Groceries | $410 | $410 | $0 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $11 | +$11 |
| Transit Pass | $92 | $86 | +$6 |
| Utilities | $160 | $166 | $6 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Toronto | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,355/mo | $2,863/mo |
| Typical | $3,166/mo | $3,947/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,904/mo | $4,662/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Toronto | ≈ in Singapore | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,916/mo | +$416 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,554/mo | +$554 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,832/mo | +$832 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Toronto vs Singapore for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Toronto is approximately 22% more affordable than Singapore when combining rent and daily living costs. Toronto's COL+Rent Index of 60.6 vs Singapore's 77.4 (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 $3,120/month in Singapore — giving Toronto a $946/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,352 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Toronto ($410/mo) vs Singapore ($410/mo) reflect Toronto's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $11 show Singapore 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.