Global English-speaking city
● OFFICIAL SOURCEEN
English is the working language. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, over 200 languages spoken and half the population was born outside Canada.
FX · CADOFICIAL
Daitana · City Guide
Toronto, ON
ON · Canada
Complete guide · Updated May 2026
Living in Toronto, without guesswork
Canada's largest city, the country's hottest rental market, and the most layered multicultural fabric, here's what you need to know before you arrive.
ON · CANADAToronto, ON
Official dataInformation compiled from Canada's primary public sources, refreshed monthly.
Population6.4MGTA (Greater Toronto Area)Average 1BR rentCAD $2,450+6.8% YoYForeign-born residents~3MRent change YoY+6.8%vs +6.1% Canada
Statistics Canada · CMHC · Numbeo
By Daitana Aguilar · Published · Updated
Key indicators · Toronto, ON
The numbers that matter
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA · CMHC
Population6.4M
GTA (Greater Toronto Area)
Average 1BR rentCAD $2,450+6.8% YoY
Foreign-born residents~3MRent change YoY+6.8%
vs +6.1% Canada
Disclaimer: Data compiled from official public sources (Statistics Canada, CMHC, Numbeo). Does not replace direct consultation with the original sources.
Detailed analysis
What each number means for newcomers
High cost of living
● OFFICIAL SOURCERent is roughly 50% higher than Montreal. The trade-off: salaries and career options are higher too, especially in finance and tech.
Canada's biggest job market
● OFFICIAL SOURCEFinancial, tech, media and startup hub. Bay Street is Canada's Wall Street; Shopify, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce and the Big Five banks all have a major presence.
Milder winters
● OFFICIAL SOURCEJanuary averages -6°C, less severe than Montreal. Summers are hot and humid, with stretches above 30°C in July and August.
Rental market · 2024-2026
Rents in Toronto: average prices 2024-2026
Approximate monthly rent values based on public market data. They vary by neighbourhood, floor, size and age of the unit.
Average rent in Toronto, ON(CAD/month)
Source: CMHC Rental Market Report 2024 · Rentals.ca Q3 2024
- 1 bedroom (studio/1BR)+6.8% y/yCAD $2,450
- 2 bedrooms (2BR)+7.2% y/yCAD $3,200
- 3 bedrooms (3BR)+5.1% y/yCAD $4,100
- 4 bedrooms (4BR)+3.8% y/yCAD $5,000
, Cost-of-living simulator
What will it cost you to live in Toronto?
Configure your profile and see the real monthly cost in CAD, based on the city's official data.
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Marital status
Housing type
Have a pet?
Adds ~CAD $80/month for food and basic care.
Lifestyle
Mix of groceries and restaurants, public transit, occasional outings.
Estimates based on public 2025-2026 data. Real costs vary by neighbourhood, personal style and FX.
Estimated monthly cost
CAD$5,252
to live in Toronto, ON with the selected profile
Monthly breakdown
7 categories- Rent47%$2,450
- Food13%$665
- Transit3%$176
- Health insurance2%$80
- Phone + internet2%$100
- Leisure & other16%$831
- Suggested reserve18%$950
Vs. average salary
That's about 112% of the average Canadian salary (≈ CAD $3,250/month net). Treat it as a ceiling, most newcomers adjust their style in the first few months.
Initial reserve
To land comfortably, plan an initial reserve of CAD $15,000-$20,000 (≈ 3 months of cost + initial deposits + buffer for surprises).
Interactive map
Toronto neighbourhoods on the map
Click the pins or the highlighted areas to see details for each neighbourhood, average rent, newcomer fit, pros and cons.
Layers:
01 / 122
Downtown / Financial District
Central · Work
Financial and tech core. Expensive but convenient.
Average rent
CAD $2,700
Newcomer fit
78/ 100
PROS
- TTC in all directions
- Walk to work
- Restaurants
CONS
- Very expensive
- Quiet outside business hours
What sets it apart
Why choose Toronto, ON?
Largest hub
Most Multicultural City in the World
Half of Toronto's residents were born outside Canada, and over 200 languages are spoken across the GTA. Whatever community you come from, there's an established network waiting for you.
Direct flight
Direct international flights
Pearson Airport (YYZ) serves 180+ destinations daily, including direct flights to São Paulo, London, Tokyo and Dubai. Canada's largest aviation hub.
Canada's Biggest Job Market
Toronto concentrates ~25% of Canada's jobs. Bay Street, the Big Five banks, tech hubs (Shopify, Google, Microsoft) and hundreds of startups.
Global Tech Hub
Second-largest tech hub in North America outside the US. Shopify (HQ), Google, Microsoft, Salesforce and hundreds of startups have offices in the city.
World-Class Education
University of Toronto (top 25 globally), York University, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and OCAD. Attracts students from 170+ countries.
Universal Healthcare (OHIP)
Permanent residents access OHIP, Ontario's public health plan, after 3 months of residency. Covers doctor visits, hospitals and surgeries.
Neighbourhoods
Best neighbourhoods in Toronto
An overview of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Toronto, ON, with each one's character and what to expect from rents.
Etobicoke
Toronto City's most established multicultural community. Markets, restaurants, places of worship and community associations within walking distance. For anyone wanting a settled neighbourhood network without giving up on the TTC, it's the obvious choice. The Bloor Line gets you downtown in 30 minutes.
RENT · CAD $1,700-2,000 / 1BR
View on mapDowntown
- Central
- Work
Expensive but convenient. If you work on Bay Street or in downtown tech, living here cuts everything short.
RENT · CAD $2,500-3,000 / 1BR
The Annex
- University
The most charming neighbourhood near UofT. Victorian houses, cafés, bookstores and Bloor Street within walking distance.
RENT · CAD $2,200-2,600 / 1BR
Leslieville
- Family
- East side
East side, quieter. Boutiques, cafés and great for families and remote-working professionals.
RENT · CAD $2,000-2,300 / 1BR
Etobicoke
- Multicultural
- Suburb
Daitana's pick. Toronto City's most established immigrant community. Rent that's affordable by local standards.
RENT · CAD $1,700-2,000 / 1BR
North York
- Family
Family, schools, space. Further from downtown but with direct TTC via the Yonge subway to Bloor.
RENT · CAD $1,900-2,200 / 1BR
Mississauga
- GTA
- Multicultural
Technically outside Toronto City. Canada's most diverse satellite city. A car is practically necessary.
RENT · CAD $1,800-2,100 / 1BR
Community
Community & cultural life in Toronto
Half of Toronto's residents were born outside Canada, community life here is organized around neighbourhoods, festivals and public anchors rather than a single dominant group. The most useful thing you can do as a newcomer is pick a neighbourhood that fits your background, find your local library, and time your first summer around Caribana.
Estimated population: ~3M in Greater Toronto, ON
Cultural neighbourhood
Kensington Market
Bohemian quarter west of Chinatown, Jamaican patties, vintage shops, Latin American grocers, Portuguese fish stalls and food trucks on car-free Sundays in summer. The city's most photographed five blocks and the closest thing Toronto has to a downtown village.
· Downtown West
Annual festival
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana)
The largest Caribbean street festival in North America, Grand Parade runs along Lake Shore the first Saturday of August. Plan housing logistics around it: streetcars reroute, downtown rentals book out, and the city's energy shifts for a full week.
· Downtown
Cultural neighbourhood
The Danforth (Greektown)
Greek-anchored east-end strip with souvlaki houses, late-night patios and the Taste of the Danforth festival in August. Family-friendly, walkable, and a 12-minute subway ride from downtown.
· Riverdale / East York
Civic anchor
Toronto Public Library
Toronto's quiet civic backbone, 100 branches, free programs (English conversation circles, citizenship prep, kids' coding, tax clinics), and a branch card that unlocks museum passes city-wide. Settlement workers hold drop-in hours at many branches.
· Etobicoke
LGBTQ+ / community hub
The 519 Community Centre
Anchor of the Church-Wellesley Village and one of the most active community centres in the country, newcomer support, refugee programs, family services and a year-round events calendar. Free or low-cost, open to everyone.
· Etobicoke
Settlement service
YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Free orientation for newcomers, credential evaluation, housing primers, employment workshops and one-on-one settlement counselling in 20+ languages. Walk-in friendly, no membership required.
· Yonge & College
Annual festival
Nuit Blanche Toronto
All-night contemporary art festival the first Saturday of October, large-scale installations, performances and projections across downtown until dawn. Free, no ticketing, walking is the only way to experience it.
· Citywide art crawl
Annual festival
Pride Toronto
Last full week of June, one of the largest Pride celebrations in North America. The Sunday parade closes Yonge Street; Church-Wellesley becomes a pedestrian street festival for the week. Plan rentals around the closures if you're moving in June.
· Church-Wellesley
Pet-friendly
Toronto for those bringing pets
Finding a pet-friendly apartment in Toronto, ON takes local knowledge. Most newer buildings allow pets, but with specific rules. Here is what you need to know before you arrive with your pet.
58% of the households we help arrive with pets. We know how it works.Building policies
In Ontario, landlords CANNOT ban pets in rental contracts (Tenant Protection Act). They can charge a deposit and set breed/weight rules, but a 'no pets' clause is legally invalid.
Tip: A 'no pets' clause in an Ontario lease is LEGALLY INVALID, you are not bound by it.
Deposits and fees
Unlike Quebec, Ontario landlords can charge a one-time pet deposit at signing. Average: CAD $500-800. Some downtown buildings charge up to $1,000.
Tip: Negotiate the deposit, no law sets the amount.
Parks and infrastructure
Toronto has 70+ official off-leash areas. High Park, Trinity Bellwoods and Cherry Beach are the best-known, all have separate areas for small and large dogs.
Vets and care
A basic consult runs CAD $100-150. Annual vaccination: ~CAD $200. Cost is ~25% higher than Montreal. Trupanion and Petsecure cover emergencies.
Tip: Pet insurance is practically standard in Toronto. Research Trupanion or Petsecure before you arrive.
Ready to find a pet-friendly apartment?
We've helped hundreds of newcomer households move to Canada with their pets.
Chat with Daitana about your pet in Toronto, ONDaitana's pick
REAL PHOTO · DAITANADaitana Aguilar
Real-estate concierge · 113+ households helped in Canada
4 years living in Canada · Married · Cat mom (× 3)
If I had to pick one neighbourhood…
For newcomers arriving in Toronto, ON, I'd point to Etobicoke.
The most established newcomer community is here.
Toronto City's deepest newcomer pocket. You'll find international grocers, places of worship, family-friendly events and parent groups without leaving the neighbourhood.
More affordable rent than downtown.
For CAD $1,800 you get a decent 1BR. Downtown, that buys you a tiny studio. For families, the difference is huge.
Direct TTC to downtown.
The Bloor Line gets you downtown in 30 minutes. You save on rent without becoming car-dependent.
Good public schools.
TDSB has excellent schools in the area. If you're coming with kids, this is one of the most practical, least-discussed advantages.
, Daitana
Chat with Daitana about Toronto, ONFrequently asked questions about living in Toronto, ON
Common questions from newcomers considering a move to Toronto, ON.
For families with a car, yes. Rent is 20% cheaper and immigrant communities are larger. For professionals working downtown who don't want to drive, Toronto City is better, the TTC reaches Mississauga but the commute is long.
Next step
Ready to move to Toronto?
Daitana helps you pick the right neighbourhood, find an apartment, and avoid the pitfalls of Canada's most expensive rental market.
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