Popular cities
Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
๐จ๐ฆ Toronto
At a glance
- Where Toronto is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (58%โ), Street food (33%โ), Entry ticket (26%โ)
- Where Philadelphia is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (25%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 | Philadelphia | Toronto | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 22$22 | C$ 25$18.4 | Toronto โ16% |
| Street food1 item | $ 12$12 | C$ 11$8.09 | Toronto โ33% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | C$ 57$41.9 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.1$5.1 | C$ 5.9$4.34 | Toronto โ15% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6.5$6.5 | C$ 9$6.62 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 14$14 | C$ 17$12.5 | Toronto โ11% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | C$ 2.5$1.84 | Toronto โ8% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.8$2.8 | C$ 3$2.21 | Toronto โ21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 15$15 | C$ 17$12.5 | Toronto โ17% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 9$9 | C$ 11$8.09 | Toronto โ10% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.9$2.9 | C$ 3.35$2.46 | Toronto โ15% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 35$35 | C$ 20$14.7 | Toronto โ58% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 175$175 | C$ 260$191 | Philadelphia โ8% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,550$1,550 | C$ 2,150$1,581 | similar |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | C$ 34$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 33$33 | C$ 35$25.7 | Toronto โ22% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 90$90 | C$ 100$73.5 | Toronto โ18% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 55$55 | C$ 100$73.5 | Philadelphia โ25% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 30$30 | C$ 30$22.1 | Toronto โ26% |
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, Philadelphia or Toronto?
Philadelphia and Toronto cost about the same. Daily budget $336 vs $336; a month $6,015 vs $5,782.
Which is easier to travel, Philadelphia or Toronto?
About the same: Philadelphia 1.4/5, Toronto 1.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Philadelphia and Toronto?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Philadelphia is about $6,015 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.