Cost of Living Comparison Between North Bay and Toronto Cost of Living Comparison Between North Bay and Toronto

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,354 per month in North Bay vs $2,620 in Toronto, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,570 per month in North Bay vs $3,866 in Toronto, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,785 per month in North Bay vs $5,111 in Toronto, rent included.

North Bay is about 10% cheaper than Toronto, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both North Bay and Toronto sit above the global median – North Bay by 71%, Toronto by 90%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
North Bay
Toronto
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.84 CA$24.75
$17.85 CA$24.75
-0.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.0 CA$122
$86.8 CA$120
1.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.68 CA$14.82
$10.94 CA$15.17
-2.38%
Cappuccino
$3.93 CA$5.45
$4.01 CA$5.57
-2.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 CA$3.02
$2.19 CA$3.04
-0.91%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69 CA$2.35
$1.69 CA$2.34
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.17 CA$7.18
$6.45 CA$8.94
-19.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.86 CA$9.51
$7.05 CA$9.77
-2.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
North Bay
Toronto
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.59 CA$3.59
$2.71 CA$3.77
-4.43%
White Bread (500g)
$2.90 CA$4.03
$2.92 CA$4.05
-0.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.48 CA$3.44
$2.48 CA$3.44
-
Eggs
$3.92 CA$5.44
$3.85 CA$5.34
1.82%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 CA$14.13
$10.10 CA$14.01
0.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.29 CA$17.04
$12.02 CA$16.66
2.25%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.44 CA$17.25
$15.61 CA$21.65
-20.31%
Apples (1kg)
$3.76 CA$5.22
$3.90 CA$5.41
-3.59%
Banana (1kg)
$1.28 CA$1.78
$1.24 CA$1.72
3.23%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.30 CA$4.57
$3.78 CA$5.24
-12.70%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.36 CA$6.04
$4.38 CA$6.08
-0.46%
Potato (1kg)
$1.85 CA$2.56
$1.93 CA$2.67
-4.15%
Onion (1kg)
$1.50 CA$2.08
$1.50 CA$2.08
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.39 CA$3.32
$2.28 CA$3.17
4.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.44 CA$2.00
$1.46 CA$2.02
-1.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.43 CA$20.02
$14.52 CA$20.14
-0.62%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.32 CA$19.86
$14.42 CA$20.00
-0.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 CA$3.12
$2.26 CA$3.14
-0.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 CA$3.58
$2.59 CA$3.60
-0.39%
🚌 Getting Around
North Bay
Toronto
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.37 CA$3.29
$2.36 CA$3.28
0.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$68.5 CA$95.0
$114 CA$159
-40.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.10 CA$4.29
$3.16 CA$4.38
-1.90%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.09 CA$1.52
$1.26 CA$1.74
-13.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.46 CA$31.15
$22.57 CA$31.30
-0.49%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20 CA$1.66
$1.24 CA$1.72
-3.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.4K CA$37.9K
$27.3K CA$37.9K
0.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K CA$29.1K
$20.7K CA$28.8K
1.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
North Bay
Toronto
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$126 CA$174
$124 CA$172
1.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.73 CA$45.39
$32.72 CA$45.38
0.03%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.02 CA$66.6
$48.79 CA$67.7
-1.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
North Bay
Toronto
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.71 CA$43.98
$40.27 CA$55.9
-21.26%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$23.84 CA$33.06
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.92 CA$17.92
$12.82 CA$17.77
0.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
North Bay
Toronto
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$765 CA$1,061
$787 CA$1,092
-2.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.5K CA$34.0K
$24.5K CA$34.0K
-0.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
North Bay
Toronto
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.53 CA$61.8
$54.2 CA$75.2
-17.90%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.33 CA$25.43
$43.10 CA$59.8
-57.47%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 CA$139
$97.9 CA$136
2.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.4 CA$124
$126 CA$175
-29.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
North Bay
Toronto
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,347 CA$1,868
$1,660 CA$2,303
-18.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,246 CA$1,727
$1,483 CA$2,057
-16.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,216 CA$3,073
$2,800 CA$3,883
-20.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,141 CA$2,969
$2,157 CA$2,991
-0.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$8,381 CA$11.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$6,842 CA$9,489
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
North Bay
Toronto
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,113 CA$4,318
$3,799 CA$5,269
-18.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.47
4.47
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for North Bay: September 6, 2026

Last update for Toronto: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,347 in North Bay versus $1,660 in Toronto. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 22% higher in Toronto, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in North Bay versus $87.0 in Toronto. Groceries tell a different story – $352 in North Bay vs $364 in Toronto – so North Bay wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
North Bay vs Toronto: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, North Bay or Toronto?
Toronto costs about 11% more than North Bay, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in North Bay and in Toronto?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,531 per month in North Bay and $3,930 in Toronto. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, North Bay or Toronto?
Rent is clearly cheaper in North Bay, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in North Bay compared to Toronto?
Public transport costs about 67% less in North Bay. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in North Bay and in Toronto?
Kindergarten costs $765 per month in North Bay and $787 in Toronto. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in North Bay or in Toronto?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in North Bay, where all-in costs run around $2,354, than in Toronto at $2,620. In North Bay it covers expenses comfortably, while in Toronto it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward North Bay – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is North Bay compared to Toronto?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to North Bay or to Toronto?
If budget matters most, go with North Bay. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Toronto makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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