Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Toronto and La Crosse, WI

For one person, living is cheaper in La Crosse, WI: $2,200 a month against $2,610 in Toronto, rent and utilities included – about $4,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Toronto
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,610
/mo nomad
La Crosse, WI
🇺🇸 United States
$2,200
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Toronto and in La Crosse, WI

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

A single person spends $2,561 per month in Toronto vs $2,200 in La Crosse, WI, rent included.

  • Toronto $2,561
  • La Crosse, WI $2,200

A couple spends around $3,694 per month in Toronto vs $3,364 in La Crosse, WI, rent included.

  • Toronto $3,694
  • La Crosse, WI $3,364

A family of three spends $4,826 per month in Toronto vs $4,528 in La Crosse, WI, rent included.

  • Toronto $4,826
  • La Crosse, WI $4,528

Toronto costs about 16% more than La Crosse, WI, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Toronto and La Crosse, WI sit above the global median – Toronto by 90%, La Crosse, WI by 63%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Toronto
La Crosse, WI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.59 CA$24.87
$14.80 $14.80
18.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8 CA$111
$70.6 $70.6
11.72%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.73 CA$15.16
$11.19 $11.19
-4.11%
Cappuccino
$4.09 CA$5.78
$5.77 $5.77
-29.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10 CA$2.97
$2.13 $2.13
-1.41%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 CA$2.43
$1.18 $1.18
45.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.36 CA$8.99
$4.60 $4.60
38.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.08 CA$10.01
$5.97 $5.97
18.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Toronto
La Crosse, WI
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.54 CA$3.59
$0.68 $0.68
273.53%
White Bread (500g)
$2.72 CA$3.85
$2.43 $2.43
11.93%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.18 CA$3.09
$4.72 $4.72
-53.81%
Eggs
$3.63 CA$5.13
$2.47 $2.47
46.96%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.46 CA$13.37
$10.08 $10.08
-6.15%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.54 CA$16.32
$10.71 $10.71
7.75%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.37 CA$20.32
$16.63 $16.63
-13.59%
Apples (1kg)
$3.70 CA$5.23
$5.02 $5.02
-26.29%
Banana (1kg)
$1.19 CA$1.68
$1.10 $1.10
8.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.46 CA$4.90
$3.05 $3.05
13.44%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.22 CA$5.97
$5.21 $5.21
-19.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.79 CA$2.52
$2.05 $2.05
-12.68%
Onion (1kg)
$1.65 CA$2.33
$2.28 $2.28
-27.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.20 CA$3.11
$1.95 $1.95
12.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26 CA$1.78
$1.80 $1.80
-30.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.97 CA$19.75
$9.83 $9.83
42.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.20 CA$20.07
$10.94 $10.94
29.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 CA$3.18
$1.83 $1.83
22.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53 CA$3.58
$1.97 $1.97
28.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Toronto
La Crosse, WI
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.32 CA$3.28
$0.97 $0.97
139.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$112 CA$158
$35.06 $35.06
218.45%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.06 CA$4.33
$3.41 $3.41
-10.26%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.22 CA$1.72
$1.89 $1.89
-35.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.69 CA$30.66
$44.31 $44.31
-51.05%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.21 CA$1.72
$0.88 $0.88
37.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1K CA$37.0K
$32.9K $32.9K
-20.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1K CA$29.9K
$24.7K $24.7K
-14.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
La Crosse, WI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 CA$169
$204 $204
-41.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.21 CA$45.54
$54.7 $54.7
-41.10%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.88 CA$69.1
$66.7 $66.7
-26.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
La Crosse, WI
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.34 CA$55.6
$39.29 $39.29
0.13%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.58 CA$33.34
$4.03 $4.03
485.11%
Cinema Ticket
$12.58 CA$17.79
$11.84 $11.84
6.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Toronto
La Crosse, WI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$832 CA$1,176
$892 $892
-6.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.6K CA$33.4K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
La Crosse, WI
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.3 CA$73.9
$63.6 $63.6
-17.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.44 CA$55.8
$63.8 $63.8
-38.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.0 CA$140
$78.9 $78.9
25.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 CA$172
$122 $122
0.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Toronto
La Crosse, WI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,631 CA$2,306
$771 $771
111.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,448 CA$2,048
$1,003 $1,003
44.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,737 CA$3,869
$2,226 $2,226
22.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,129 CA$3,010
$1,913 $1,913
11.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,206 CA$11.6K
$2,011 $2,011
308.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,838 CA$9,666
$1,969 $1,969
247.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Toronto
La Crosse, WI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,520 CA$4,976
$4,043 $4,043
-12.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.47
6.63
-32.58%

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

Last update for Toronto: October 18, 2026

Last update for La Crosse, WI: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Toronto
$1.4K
La Crosse, WI
$1K 30.7% $445
Groceries & Markets
Toronto
$343
La Crosse, WI
$339 1.3% $4.3
Eating Out
Toronto
$283
La Crosse, WI
$269 4.8% $14
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
$201
La Crosse, WI
$326 62.4% $125
Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
$141
La Crosse, WI
$148 4.9% $6.9
Getting Around
Toronto
$130
La Crosse, WI
$52 60.2% $78
Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
$65
La Crosse, WI
$63 2.4% $1.5

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,592 in Toronto versus $771 in La Crosse, WI. 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 8% higher in La Crosse, WI, 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 $76.0 in Toronto versus $71.0 in La Crosse, WI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $340 vs $339 – making La Crosse, WI the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Toronto
🇺🇸 La Crosse, WI
🕒 Local time
05:56 5:56 AM
04:56 4:56 AM
1 h behind Toronto
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,731,571
52,680
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Toronto La Crosse, WI 950 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Toronto
  • La Crosse, WI

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
Toronto vs La Crosse, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Toronto and in La Crosse, WI compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,561 in Toronto, $2,200 in La Crosse, WI – roughly 16% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in transport.
What salary covers living expenses in Toronto compared to La Crosse, WI?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,841 per month in Toronto and $3,299 in La Crosse, WI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Toronto and La Crosse, WI?
Rent is clearly cheaper in La Crosse, WI, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 0% more in Toronto, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $76.0 in Toronto and $71.0 in La Crosse, WI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in La Crosse, WI, where all-in costs run around $2,200, than in Toronto at $2,561. In La Crosse, WI it covers expenses comfortably, while in Toronto it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Toronto or La Crosse, WI?
Families tend to lean toward La Crosse, WI – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Toronto or La Crosse, WI safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Toronto and La Crosse, WI?
If budget matters most, go with La Crosse, WI. 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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