Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Rochester, MN and Toronto

For one person, living costs are similar in Rochester, MN and in Toronto: $2,512 and $2,610 a month, rent and utilities included.

Rochester, MN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,512
/mo nomad
Toronto
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,610
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Rochester, MN and in Toronto

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Rochester, MN and in Toronto actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,512 in Rochester, MN versus $2,610 in Toronto.

  • Rochester, MN $2,512
  • Toronto $2,610

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,838 in Rochester, MN versus $3,727 in Toronto.

  • Rochester, MN $3,838
  • Toronto $3,727

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,164 in Rochester, MN versus $4,844 in Toronto.

  • Rochester, MN $5,164
  • Toronto $4,844

Living in Rochester, MN costs roughly 4% less than in Toronto, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Rochester, MN 85% above, Toronto 93% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rochester, MN
Toronto
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.97 $19.97
$17.59 CA$24.87
13.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.6 $73.6
$78.8 CA$111
-6.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.06 $11.06
$10.73 CA$15.16
3.08%
Cappuccino
$5.83 $5.83
$4.09 CA$5.78
42.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 $2.82
$2.10 CA$2.97
34.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46 $2.46
$1.72 CA$2.43
43.02%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.03 $5.03
$6.36 CA$8.99
-20.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.67 $5.67
$7.08 CA$10.01
-19.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rochester, MN
Toronto
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.86 $0.86
$2.54 CA$3.59
-66.14%
White Bread (500g)
$2.88 $2.88
$2.72 CA$3.85
5.88%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$2.18 CA$3.09
49.54%
Eggs
$3.65 $3.65
$3.63 CA$5.13
0.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.31 $9.31
$9.46 CA$13.37
-1.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.22 $12.22
$11.54 CA$16.32
5.89%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.90 $18.90
$14.37 CA$20.32
31.52%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 $5.20
$3.70 CA$5.23
40.54%
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 $1.51
$1.19 CA$1.68
26.89%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.27 $4.27
$3.46 CA$4.90
23.41%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 $3.84
$4.22 CA$5.97
-9.00%
Potato (1kg)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.79 CA$2.52
21.23%
Onion (1kg)
$3.60 $3.60
$1.65 CA$2.33
118.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.20 CA$3.11
23.64%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.91 $2.91
$1.26 CA$1.78
130.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.83 $9.83
$13.97 CA$19.75
-29.63%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.15 $15.15
$14.20 CA$20.07
6.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 $1.69
$2.25 CA$3.18
-24.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94 $2.94
$2.53 CA$3.58
16.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Rochester, MN
Toronto
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.32 CA$3.28
-14.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.25 $42.25
$112 CA$158
-62.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.02 $2.02
$3.06 CA$4.33
-33.99%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.27 $1.27
$1.22 CA$1.72
4.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.82 $19.82
$21.69 CA$30.66
-8.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.21 CA$1.72
-28.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2K $27.2K
$26.1K CA$37.0K
4.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K $25.8K
$21.1K CA$29.9K
21.93%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rochester, MN
Toronto
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$169 $169
$120 CA$169
41.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.11 $47.11
$32.21 CA$45.54
46.26%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.05 $44.05
$48.88 CA$69.1
-9.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rochester, MN
Toronto
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.2 $53.2
$39.34 CA$55.6
35.18%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.18 $20.18
$23.58 CA$33.34
-14.42%
Cinema Ticket
$10.09 $10.09
$12.58 CA$17.79
-19.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rochester, MN
Toronto
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,352 $1,352
$832 CA$1,176
62.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K $11.9K
$23.6K CA$33.4K
-49.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rochester, MN
Toronto
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.4 $62.4
$52.3 CA$73.9
19.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$62.7 $62.7
$39.44 CA$55.8
59.03%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.9 $73.9
$99.0 CA$140
-25.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.4 $86.4
$122 CA$172
-29.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rochester, MN
Toronto
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,645 $1,645
$1,631 CA$2,306
0.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,284 $1,284
$1,448 CA$2,048
-11.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,035 $2,035
$2,737 CA$3,869
-25.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,380 $2,380
$2,129 CA$3,010
11.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,165 $2,165
$8,206 CA$11.6K
-73.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,961 $1,961
$6,838 CA$9,666
-71.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rochester, MN
Toronto
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,617 $4,617
$3,520 CA$4,976
31.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.57
4.47
46.98%

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

Last update for Rochester, MN: October 19, 2026

Last update for Toronto: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Rochester, MN
$1.3K
Toronto
$1.4K 12.8% $165
Groceries & Markets
Rochester, MN
$386
Toronto
$343 11.2% $43
Eating Out
Rochester, MN
$321
Toronto
$283 11.7% $37
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rochester, MN
$261
Toronto
$201 23% $60
Clothing & Footwear
Rochester, MN
$128
Toronto
$141 9.6% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Rochester, MN
$73
Toronto
$65 12.1% $8.8
Getting Around
Rochester, MN
$59
Toronto
$130 122% $72

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,645 in Rochester, MN and $1,631 in Toronto. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Rochester, MN pays 31% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $74.0 in Rochester, MN vs $79.0 in Toronto. Groceries flip the comparison at $386 vs $343, with Toronto cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Rochester, MN
🇨🇦 Toronto
🕒 Local time
03:43 3:43 AM
04:43 4:43 AM
1 h ahead of Rochester, MN
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
211,328
2,731,571
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Rochester, MN Toronto 1,050 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Rochester, MN
  • Toronto

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Rochester, MN vs Toronto: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rochester, MN or Toronto?
Rochester, MN wins on cost – living expenses run 4% lower than in Toronto. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Rochester, MN the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Rochester, MN or in Toronto?
Average pay runs 31% higher in Rochester, MN, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Rochester, MN compared to Toronto?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,645 in Rochester, MN versus $1,631 in Toronto. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Rochester, MN or in Toronto?
Shoppers in Toronto pay roughly 13% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How do dining costs compare in Rochester, MN and in Toronto?
Dining out is cheaper in Rochester, MN – a meal for two runs $74.0 versus $79.0 in Toronto. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Rochester, MN or in Toronto?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Rochester, MN is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Rochester, MN or Toronto?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Rochester, MN gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Toronto. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Rochester, MN vs other spots: cost of living compared

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