Toronto vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Toronto is ~13% 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
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Toronto | Sydney | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,174 | $2,442 | $268 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,728 | $1,822 | $94 |
| Groceries | $410 | $483 | $73 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $25 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $92 | $114 | $22 |
| Utilities | $160 | $171 | $11 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Toronto | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,355/mo | $2,545/mo |
| Typical | $3,166/mo | $3,585/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,904/mo | $4,423/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Toronto | ≈ in Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,725/mo | +$225 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,300/mo | +$300 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,450/mo | +$450 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Toronto vs Sydney for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Toronto is approximately 13% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Toronto's COL+Rent Index of 60.6 vs Sydney's 69.7 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Toronto costs $2,174/month versus $2,442/month in Sydney — giving Toronto a $268/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,216 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Toronto ($410/mo) vs Sydney ($483/mo) reflect Toronto's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $25 show Toronto is the better value for dining out. 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.