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Chicago vs Toronto cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Chicago
๐จ๐ฆ Toronto
At a glance
- Where Toronto is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (74%โ), Entry ticket (33%โ), Taxi (26%โ)
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (18%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Toronto | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 17$17 | C$ 25$18.4 | Chicago โ8% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8$8 | C$ 11$8.09 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | C$ 57$41.9 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | C$ 5.9$4.34 | Toronto โ21% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7.5$7.5 | C$ 9$6.62 | Toronto โ12% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 15$15 | C$ 17$12.5 | Toronto โ17% |
| Bottled water | $ 1.8$1.8 | C$ 2.5$1.84 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.7$2.7 | C$ 3$2.21 | Toronto โ18% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 17$17 | C$ 17$12.5 | Toronto โ26% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 10$10 | C$ 11$8.09 | Toronto โ19% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.75$2.75 | C$ 3.35$2.46 | Toronto โ10% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | C$ 20$14.7 | Toronto โ74% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | C$ 260$191 | Chicago โ6% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,950$1,950 | C$ 2,150$1,581 | Toronto โ19% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 30$30 | C$ 34$25 | Toronto โ17% |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | C$ 35$25.7 | Toronto โ26% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 85$85 | C$ 100$73.5 | Toronto โ13% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 60$60 | C$ 100$73.5 | Chicago โ18% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 33$33 | C$ 30$22.1 | Toronto โ33% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Chicago or Toronto?
Toronto is 7% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $334 vs $336; a month $6,737 vs $5,782.
Which is easier to travel, Chicago or Toronto?
About the same: Chicago 1.4/5, Toronto 1.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Toronto?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,737 and Toronto about $5,782 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.