Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs Toronto
Chicago vs Toronto cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Chicago
π¨π¦ TorontoChicago and Toronto cost about the same
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $6,502 in Toronto β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $340
Per month
$6,989 vs $6,502
Local meal
$ 16 vs C$ 22
$16 vs $16.2
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs C$ 22
$18 vs $16.2
At a glance
Foodsimilar
CafΓ©s & drinksToronto 8% cheaper
Transportsimilar
Staysimilar
FunToronto 10% cheaper
- Where Toronto is clearly cheaper: Massage (16%β), Haircut (16%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Toronto | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | C$ 22$16.2 | similar |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | C$ 9.9$7.28 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | C$ 57$41.9 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | C$ 6$4.41 | Toronto β12% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | C$ 9$6.62 | Toronto β5% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | C$ 23$16.9 | Toronto β6% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | C$ 2.5$1.84 | Toronto β8% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | C$ 6.3$4.63 | Toronto β7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | C$ 22$16.2 | Toronto β10% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | C$ 16$11.8 | Chicago β6% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | C$ 3.5$2.57 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | C$ 68$50 | Toronto β12% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | C$ 260$191 | Chicago β6% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | C$ 2,600$1,912 | Toronto β9% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | C$ 34$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | C$ 39$28.7 | Toronto β16% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | C$ 110$80.9 | Toronto β16% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | C$ 110$80.9 | Toronto β6% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | C$ 30$22.1 | Toronto β8% |
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?
Chicago and Toronto cost about the same. Daily budget $333 vs $340; a month $6,989 vs $6,502.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Toronto?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and Toronto about $6,502 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.