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Compare cities βΊ Toronto vs Washington, D.C.
Toronto vs Washington, D.C. cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
π¨π¦ Toronto
πΊπΈ Washington, D.C.Toronto is 20% cheaper than Washington, D.C.
Living on $6,502 a month in Toronto feels like about $8,052 in Washington, D.C. β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$340 vs $396
Per month
$6,502 vs $8,052
Local meal
C$ 22 vs $ 17
$16.2 vs $17
Taxi 5 km
C$ 22 vs $ 18
$16.2 vs $18
At a glance
FoodToronto 8% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksToronto 19% cheaper
Transportsimilar
StayToronto 20% cheaper
FunToronto 14% cheaper
- Where Washington, D.C. is clearly cheaper: Transit (22%β)
- Where Toronto is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (24%β), Coffee (20%β), Cocktail & wine (19%β)
Item by item
| Item | Toronto | Washington, D.C. | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | C$ 22$16.2 | $ 17$17 | Toronto β5% |
| Street food1 item | C$ 9.9$7.28 | $ 7.7$7.7 | Toronto β5% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | C$ 57$41.9 | $ 48$48 | Toronto β13% |
| Coffeeone cup | C$ 6$4.41 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Toronto β20% |
| Beerone bottle | C$ 9$6.62 | $ 8$8 | Toronto β17% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | C$ 23$16.9 | $ 21$21 | Toronto β19% |
| Bottled water | C$ 2.5$1.84 | $ 2$2 | Toronto β8% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | C$ 6.3$4.63 | $ 5$5 | Toronto β7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | C$ 22$16.2 | $ 18$18 | Toronto β10% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | C$ 16$11.8 | $ 12$12 | similar |
| Transitone ride | C$ 3.5$2.57 | $ 2$2 | Washington, D.C. β22% |
| Scooter rentalper day | C$ 68$50 | $ 60$60 | Toronto β17% |
| Hotel night3-star | C$ 260$191 | $ 230$230 | Toronto β17% |
| Studio rent (month) | C$ 2,600$1,912 | $ 2,500$2,500 | Toronto β24% |
| Laundry | C$ 5.5$4.04 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | C$ 34$25 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | C$ 39$28.7 | $ 35$35 | Toronto β18% |
| Massage1 hour | C$ 110$80.9 | $ 100$100 | Toronto β19% |
| Half-day tourper person | C$ 110$80.9 | $ 90$90 | Toronto β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | C$ 30$22.1 | $ 25$25 | 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, Toronto or Washington, D.C.?
Toronto is 20% cheaper than Washington, D.C.. Daily budget $340 vs $396; a month $6,502 vs $8,052.
How do monthly costs compare between Toronto and Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Toronto is about $6,502 and Washington, D.C. about $8,052 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.