Cost of Living Comparison Between Toronto and Birmingham, AL Cost of Living Comparison Between Toronto and Birmingham, AL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,620 per month in Toronto vs $2,723 in Birmingham, AL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,866 per month in Toronto vs $3,973 in Birmingham, AL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,111 per month in Toronto vs $5,222 in Birmingham, AL, rent included.

Toronto is about 4% cheaper than Birmingham, AL, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Toronto and Birmingham, AL sit above the global median – Toronto by 90%, Birmingham, AL by 97%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.85 CA$24.75

$17.81 $17.81

0.22%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$86.8 CA$120

$70.0 $70.0

23.91%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.94 CA$15.17

$8.85 $8.85

23.62%

Cappuccino

$4.01 CA$5.57

$5.72 $5.72

-29.90%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 CA$3.04

$2.75 $2.75

-20.36%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.69 CA$2.34

$2.29 $2.29

-26.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.45 CA$8.94

$5.05 $5.05

27.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.05 CA$9.77

$5.89 $5.89

19.69%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.71 CA$3.77

$1.07 $1.07

153.27%

White Bread (500g)

$2.92 CA$4.05

$3.11 $3.11

-6.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.48 CA$3.44

$4.77 $4.77

-48.01%

Eggs

$3.85 CA$5.34

$4.05 $4.05

-4.94%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.10 CA$14.01

$9.78 $9.78

3.27%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.02 CA$16.66

$10.89 $10.89

10.38%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.61 CA$21.65

$15.94 $15.94

-2.07%

Apples (1kg)

$3.90 CA$5.41

$6.53 $6.53

-40.28%

Banana (1kg)

$1.24 CA$1.72

$1.32 $1.32

-6.06%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.78 CA$5.24

$7.87 $7.87

-51.97%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.38 CA$6.08

$5.40 $5.40

-18.89%

Potato (1kg)

$1.93 CA$2.67

$4.32 $4.32

-55.32%

Onion (1kg)

$1.50 CA$2.08

$5.14 $5.14

-70.82%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 CA$3.17

$2.71 $2.71

-15.87%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 CA$2.02

$2.86 $2.86

-48.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.52 CA$20.14

$9.60 $9.60

51.25%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.42 CA$20.00

$15.15 $15.15

-4.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 CA$3.14

$2.35 $2.35

-3.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.59 CA$3.60

$3.60 $3.60

-28.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.36 CA$3.28

$1.49 $1.49

58.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$114 CA$159

$79.6 $79.6

43.59%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 CA$4.38

$2.98 $2.98

6.04%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.26 CA$1.74

$1.61 $1.61

-21.74%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.57 CA$31.30

$30.34 $30.34

-25.61%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 CA$1.72

$0.90 $0.90

37.78%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.3K CA$37.9K

$34.0K $34.0K

-19.56%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.7K CA$28.8K

$24.9K $24.9K

-16.61%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$124 CA$172

$287 $287

-56.82%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$32.72 CA$45.38

$76.4 $76.4

-57.18%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.79 CA$67.7

$71.0 $71.0

-31.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.27 CA$55.9

$40.26 $40.26

0.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.84 CA$33.06

$20.23 $20.23

17.84%

Cinema Ticket

$12.82 CA$17.77

$16.07 $16.07

-20.22%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$787 CA$1,092

$1,359 $1,359

-42.06%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.5K CA$34.0K

$17.9K $17.9K

37.07%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.2 CA$75.2

$59.0 $59.0

-8.02%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.10 CA$59.8

$38.42 $38.42

12.18%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.9 CA$136

$107 $107

-8.60%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$126 CA$175

$135 $135

-6.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,660 CA$2,303

$1,719 $1,719

-3.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,483 CA$2,057

$1,208 $1,208

22.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,800 CA$3,883

$2,927 $2,927

-4.35%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,157 CA$2,991

$2,114 $2,114

2.03%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,381 CA$11.6K

$3,016 $3,016

177.90%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,842 CA$9,489

$1,860 $1,860

267.83%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,799 CA$5,269

$3,102 $3,102

22.49%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.47

6.18

-27.67%

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

Last update for Toronto: September 6, 2026

Last update for Birmingham, AL: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,660 in Toronto versus $1,719 in Birmingham, AL. 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 reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $87.0 in Toronto versus $70.0 in Birmingham, AL. Groceries tell a different story – $364 in Toronto vs $425 in Birmingham, AL – so Toronto 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

Toronto vs Birmingham, AL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,620 in Toronto, $2,723 in Birmingham, AL – roughly 4% apart. Birmingham, AL costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,930 per month in Toronto and $4,085 in Birmingham, AL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Toronto, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,620 in Toronto and $2,723 in Birmingham, AL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 44% less in Toronto. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,620 in Toronto and $2,723 in Birmingham, AL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Birmingham, AL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,620 in Toronto to $2,723 in Birmingham, AL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Toronto. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Birmingham, AL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.