Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ San Diego vs Toronto
San Diego 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 San Diego
π¨π¦ TorontoToronto is 13% cheaper than San Diego
Living on $7,995 a month in San Diego feels like about $6,502 in Toronto β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$369 vs $340
Per month
$7,995 vs $6,502
Local meal
$ 17 vs C$ 22
$17 vs $16.2
Taxi 5 km
$ 17 vs C$ 22
$17 vs $16.2
At a glance
FoodToronto 6% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksToronto 19% cheaper
Transportsimilar
StayToronto 16% cheaper
FunToronto 14% cheaper
- Where Toronto is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (24%β), Coffee (20%β), Cocktail & wine (19%β)
Item by item
| Item | San Diego | Toronto | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 17$17 | C$ 22$16.2 | similar |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.7$7.7 | C$ 9.9$7.28 | Toronto β5% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 45$45 | C$ 57$41.9 | Toronto β7% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | C$ 6$4.41 | Toronto β20% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | C$ 9$6.62 | Toronto β17% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | C$ 23$16.9 | Toronto β19% |
| 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 | $ 17$17 | C$ 22$16.2 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | C$ 16$11.8 | similar |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | C$ 3.5$2.57 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 60$60 | C$ 68$50 | Toronto β17% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 210$210 | C$ 260$191 | Toronto β9% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,500$2,500 | C$ 2,600$1,912 | Toronto β24% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | C$ 34$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | C$ 39$28.7 | Toronto β18% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | C$ 110$80.9 | Toronto β19% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 90$90 | C$ 110$80.9 | Toronto β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | C$ 30$22.1 | Toronto β12% |
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, San Diego or Toronto?
Toronto is 13% cheaper than San Diego. Daily budget $369 vs $340; a month $7,995 vs $6,502.
How do monthly costs compare between San Diego and Toronto?
With a short-term studio and living costs, San Diego is about $7,995 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.