Making a big move can be difficult and the biggest decision you have to make is which city should you choose, Toronto or Seattle? The cost of living can weigh heavily on that decision—it’s a major factor in choosing your next destination. 

According to data from Numbeo, the cost of living index in Toronto is 76.53 while in Seattle is 84.24. This means that Seattle is approximately 10% more expensive than Toronto. 

To get a sense of the breakdown of costs, here are some other specific comparisons:

• The cost of rent in Seattle is about 24% higher than in Toronto.
• Grocery prices in Seattle are about 5% higher than in Toronto.
• Transportation costs in Seattle are about 13% higher than in Toronto.

It’s worth noting that these comparisons are based on average costs, and individual experiences may vary. However, overall, the data suggests that Toronto is generally cheaper than Seattle.

But before you pack up and move north, read on first, as we’ll take a closer look at the numbers and see just how different life is between these two cities.

Toronto vs Seattle: Cost of Living

If you’re looking to compare cities, one of the biggest factors that comes into play is cost of living. So how does Toronto compare to Seattle when it comes to cost of living?

1. Housing Costs

According to Numbeo, rent is about 40% higher in Seattle than it is in Toronto. When you compare apples to apples — renting an apartment with the same number of bedrooms — Toronto is cheaper than Seattle by about $800 per month.

While both cities have seen significant increases in home prices over the last year, Seattle has had greater growth than Toronto.

2. Food Costs

To get an idea of the difference between Toronto and Seattle when it comes to food and groceries, let’s look at a few simple items. A 1 kg beef round in Toronto is around 18.08 CAD, while in Seattle it’s 26.35 CAD – that’s a difference of eight Canadian dollars! 

The same goes for a loaf of fresh white bread. A 500g loaf will cost you around 3.45 CAD in Toronto versus roughly 5.62 CAD in Seattle – that’s a difference of two dollars!

3. Utilities Costs

In terms of utilities, Seattle is more expensive than Toronto overall due to higher fees charged by the city government or utility companies. 

On average, you can expect your monthly utility bills (power/water/gas) in Seattle to be 2-3% higher than what you would pay for them in Toronto on a monthly basis. 

Overall, though the differences here are slight compared with the potential savings on rent – making up just a small portion of your total monthly costs if you were looking to move.

Toronto vs Seattle: Quality of Life

It’s no secret that living in either Toronto or Seattle can be expensive. But when deciding which city is more affordable, there are many factors to consider beyond just cost of living. 

Although both cities have a lot to offer, when it comes to quality of life, Seattle got a higher score of 170.34 while Toronto got 146.81. 

Toronto is home to world-class cultural institutions and experiences such as the Royal Ontario Museum, and numerous music festivals throughout the year. 

On the other hand, Seattle is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, with attractions like Mount Saint Helens, and Snoqualmie Falls offering amazing outdoor experiences. 

Additionally, Seattle offers unique activities such as whale watching, art galleries and music venues that are sure to create memorable experiences for visitors.

1. Toronto vs Seattle: Population

We’ve seen that Toronto and Seattle have different costs of living, but how do their populations differ? Understanding the population can help you make an informed decision about which city is more suitable for you.

Though Toronto and Seattle have different populations, both cities boast a diverse and vibrant culture and atmosphere due to immigrants from all over the world calling them “home”. 

This makes them both great options for those who are looking to settle down in a new area and experience something different!

2. Toronto vs Seattle: Weather

Toronto and Seattle have different climates, so the weather in each city can be quite different. 

Toronto has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, while Seattle has a marine west coast climate characterised by mild, wet winters and cool, dry summers. In general, Toronto tends to have colder winters and hotter summers than Seattle. 

Seattle also tends to be wetter than Toronto, with an average annual precipitation of around 950 mm (37 inches), compared to Toronto’s average of around 830 mm (32.7 inches).

Toronto vs Seattle: Education

When it comes to choosing a city to live in, the educational system is an important factor for many people. Let’s take a look at how Toronto and Seattle compare in this regard.

Toronto is home to a range of top-notch universities, including the University of Toronto and Ryerson University. Both are highly ranked nationally, and their tuition fees can be expensive. 

However, they also offer many scholarships and financial assistance options like the UTAPS Program or the University of Toronto Advanced Planning for Students which can help make higher education more affordable.

Seattle has two top-ranking universities — University of Washington and Seattle Pacific University— but these both cost more on average than the two universities in Toronto. 

Additionally, Washington State has some of the highest tuition costs in the US due to limited state funding for public universities.

Toronto vs Seattle: Job Opportunities

When it comes to job opportunities, let’s get something out of the way first: Seattle is a tech hub. Companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Starbucks are based in Seattle and they drive the economy in the state. 

But Toronto still offers plenty of job opportunities, too. In fact, there are lots of occupations that pay more in Toronto than they do in Seattle—like web developers, business development directors, and IT project managers. 

There are also industries where people tend to make more money in Toronto than in Seattle, like finance and insurance. 

So if you’re thinking about moving to one of these cities for work or starting a career, Toronto may be the better option for higher wages.

Toronto vs Seattle: Taxes

So let’s talk about taxes—the difference between the two cities when it comes to tax rates is interesting. In Toronto, you pay higher taxes than in Seattle, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s more expensive to live there.

In Toronto, income tax is collected by both the federal government of Canada and the province of Ontario. In Seattle, income tax is collected by the state of Washington, which does not have a state income tax. 

However, residents of Seattle still have to pay federal income tax to the US government which is shown on the table above. Another difference between the two cities are the sales taxes and property taxes. 

In Toronto, you’ll have to pay 13% for the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) as well as property taxes of 1.2%. In comparison, Seattle has no sales tax whatsoever and its property tax rate is around 1.1%. 

Toronto vs Seattle: Immigration Process

The process varies depending on the individual’s circumstances and the type of immigration program they are applying for. Here is a general overview of the immigration process for each city:

The immigration process in Canada is overseen by the federal government, and there are a variety of immigration programs available for individuals who want to move to Toronto and other cities in Canada. 

While in Seattle, the US immigration system is overseen by the federal government, and there are also a variety of immigration programs available for individuals who want to move to Seattle and other cities in the US. 

The specific requirements and application process for each program can vary, but generally involve submitting an application, undergoing a background check and medical examination, and attending an interview with an immigration officer.

Toronto vs Seattle: Pros and Cons

Toronto and Seattle are two great cities, both offering their own unique benefits and drawbacks when it comes to cost of living. To help you decide which city is cheaper for you, let’s break down the pros and cons of each.

By weighing up the pros and cons of each city’s cost of living, you can make an informed decision about which one will work better for your budget!

FAQs about Which City Is Cheaper to Live In: Toronto or Seattle?