City guide

🇨🇦 Living in Toronto

Canada's largest and most multicultural city, with a deep job market, public healthcare, and a clear immigration path to permanent residence

At a glance

Population
2,800,000 (metro: 7,100,000)
Currency
CAD
Avg. salary
€65,000–€95,000
Effective tax
27–32%

Net salary calculator

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Cost of living

Rent (1-bed, center) €1,413/mo
Rent (1-bed, suburb) €1,252/mo
Groceries (single) €371/mo
Groceries (family) €964/mo
Transport pass €96/mo
Restaurant (2 people, mid-range) €74
Coffee €4.00
Gym membership €39/mo
Healthcare Ontario has public healthcare (OHIP) covering most physician and hospital care at no direct cost; the former three-month waiting period has been eliminated, so eligible new residents get immediate coverage. Many employers add supplemental insurance for dental, vision, and prescription drugs
Frugal
€1,900
/month
Moderate
€2,700
/month
Comfortable
€3,700
/month

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Why choose Toronto?

Canada's largest job market, especially strong in finance, tech, and professional services

Public healthcare (OHIP) covers most medical and hospital care

A clear, points-based route to permanent residence via Express Entry

Among the world's most multicultural cities, with large international communities

English-speaking, with high quality of life and safety

Lower provincial tax than Quebec, and high salaries by Canadian standards

Quality of life

Overall
8.5
Safety
8.5
Healthcare
8.5
Education
8.5
Air Quality
8
Culture
8.5
Expat Community
9
English Proficiency
9.5

Moving to Toronto : checklist

  1. 1 Explore your immigration route: Express Entry (federal points), a Provincial Nominee stream (OINP), or an employer work permit (often requiring an LMIA)
  2. 2 Apply for OHIP on arrival; the former three-month waiting period has been eliminated, so eligible residents get immediate coverage
  3. 3 Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work and bank
  4. 4 Budget for rent: a downtown one-bedroom averages around 1,410 euros per month, with the suburbs a little lower
  5. 5 Get a PRESTO card for the subway, streetcars, and buses
  6. 6 Open a Canadian bank account and start building local credit
  7. 7 Note that winters are long and cold; budget for warm clothing and indoor life from December to March

Frequently asked questions

How much tax will I pay in Toronto? +
Ontario residents pay federal and Ontario provincial income tax plus CPP and EI. For a typical expat the effective rate is around 27 to 32 percent, lower than Quebec. This is general information, not tax advice.
How do I immigrate to Toronto? +
The main routes are Express Entry (a federal points system), the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program, and employer-sponsored work permits (often requiring an LMIA). There is no digital-nomad visa.
How expensive is Toronto? +
Toronto is Canada's most expensive city, with rent the main cost, though it remains below New York and London.
How does healthcare work in Toronto? +
Ontario has public healthcare (OHIP) covering most physician and hospital care at no direct cost, with no waiting period for eligible new residents. Many employers add supplemental insurance for dental, vision, and drugs.
Is English enough in Toronto? +
Yes. English is the working language of Toronto and Ontario; French is rarely needed for private-sector work, unlike in Quebec.

Compare Toronto with

🇨🇦 vs 🇨🇦
Toronto vs Montreal
−17% cost
🇨🇦 vs 🇺🇸
Toronto vs New York City
+22% cost
🇨🇦 vs 🇬🇧
Toronto vs London
+12% cost

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