Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Toronto and Lakewood, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Toronto: $2,610 a month against $3,284 in Lakewood, WA, rent and utilities included – about $8,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Toronto
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,610
/mo nomad
Lakewood, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,284
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Toronto and in Lakewood, WA

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 Lakewood, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,610 in Toronto versus $3,284 in Lakewood, WA.

  • Toronto $2,610
  • Lakewood, WA $3,284

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,727 in Toronto versus $4,777 in Lakewood, WA.

  • Toronto $3,727
  • Lakewood, WA $4,777

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,844 in Toronto versus $6,270 in Lakewood, WA.

  • Toronto $4,844
  • Lakewood, WA $6,270

Living in Toronto costs roughly 21% less than in Lakewood, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Toronto 93% above, Lakewood, WA 142% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Toronto
Lakewood, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.59 CA$24.87
$18.09 $18.09
-2.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8 CA$111
$67.6 $67.6
16.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.73 CA$15.16
$12.71 $12.71
-15.58%
Cappuccino
$4.09 CA$5.78
$5.20 $5.20
-21.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10 CA$2.97
$2.98 $2.98
-29.53%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 CA$2.43
$2.05 $2.05
-16.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.36 CA$8.99
$3.90 $3.90
63.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.08 CA$10.01
$6.10 $6.10
16.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Toronto
Lakewood, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.54 CA$3.59
$1.02 $1.02
149.02%
White Bread (500g)
$2.72 CA$3.85
$3.68 $3.68
-26.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.18 CA$3.09
$4.24 $4.24
-48.58%
Eggs
$3.63 CA$5.13
$3.92 $3.92
-7.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.46 CA$13.37
$13.72 $13.72
-31.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.54 CA$16.32
$8.69 $8.69
32.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.37 CA$20.32
$11.21 $11.21
28.19%
Apples (1kg)
$3.70 CA$5.23
$4.38 $4.38
-15.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.19 CA$1.68
$1.94 $1.94
-38.66%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.46 CA$4.90
$4.16 $4.16
-16.83%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.22 CA$5.97
$4.52 $4.52
-6.64%
Potato (1kg)
$1.79 CA$2.52
$1.97 $1.97
-9.14%
Onion (1kg)
$1.65 CA$2.33
$2.15 $2.15
-23.26%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.20 CA$3.11
$2.02 $2.02
8.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26 CA$1.78
$2.49 $2.49
-49.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.97 CA$19.75
$12.36 $12.36
13.03%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.20 CA$20.07
$15.84 $15.84
-10.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 CA$3.18
$1.98 $1.98
13.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53 CA$3.58
$4.15 $4.15
-39.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Toronto
Lakewood, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.32 CA$3.28
$2.04 $2.04
13.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$112 CA$158
$197 $197
-43.26%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.06 CA$4.33
$2.02 $2.02
51.49%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.22 CA$1.72
$0.64 $0.64
90.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.69 CA$30.66
$27.31 $27.31
-20.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.21 CA$1.72
$1.34 $1.34
-9.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1K CA$37.0K
$28.1K $28.1K
-6.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1K CA$29.9K
$26.3K $26.3K
-19.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
Lakewood, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 CA$169
$289 $289
-58.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.21 CA$45.54
$74.0 $74.0
-56.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.88 CA$69.1
$89.5 $89.5
-45.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
Lakewood, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.34 CA$55.6
$41.00 $41.00
-4.05%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.58 CA$33.34
$24.97 $24.97
-5.57%
Cinema Ticket
$12.58 CA$17.79
$18.08 $18.08
-30.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Toronto
Lakewood, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$832 CA$1,176
$1,965 $1,965
-57.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.6K CA$33.4K
$25.7K $25.7K
-8.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
Lakewood, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.3 CA$73.9
$50.1 $50.1
4.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.44 CA$55.8
$38.11 $38.11
3.49%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.0 CA$140
$100 $100
-1.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 CA$172
$136 $136
-10.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Toronto
Lakewood, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,631 CA$2,306
$1,961 $1,961
-16.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,448 CA$2,048
$1,733 $1,733
-16.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,737 CA$3,869
$3,365 $3,365
-18.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,129 CA$3,010
$3,047 $3,047
-30.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,206 CA$11.6K
$2,359 $2,359
247.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,838 CA$9,666
$2,606 $2,606
162.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Toronto
Lakewood, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,520 CA$4,976
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.47
6.81
-34.36%

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

Last update for Toronto: October 18, 2026

Last update for Lakewood, WA: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Toronto
$1.4K
Lakewood, WA
$1.7K 19.6% $285
Groceries & Markets
Toronto
$343
Lakewood, WA
$369 7.5% $26
Eating Out
Toronto
$283
Lakewood, WA
$297 4.9% $14
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
$201
Lakewood, WA
$452 125% $252
Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
$141
Lakewood, WA
$146 3.8% $5.3
Getting Around
Toronto
$130
Lakewood, WA
$210 61.6% $80
Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
$65
Lakewood, WA
$77 19.6% $13

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,631 in Toronto and $1,961 in Lakewood, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $79.0 in Toronto vs $68.0 in Lakewood, WA. Groceries flip the comparison at $343 vs $369, with Toronto cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Toronto
🇺🇸 Lakewood, WA
🕒 Local time
10:49 10:49 AM
07:49 7:49 AM
3 h behind Toronto
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,731,571
140,024
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

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).

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

On the map
Between locations
  • Toronto Lakewood, WA 3,350 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Toronto
  • Lakewood, WA

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 Lakewood, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Toronto and in Lakewood, WA?
Toronto and Lakewood, WA differ by about 26% in total monthly costs ($2,610 vs $3,284 including rent). Toronto is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Toronto compared to Lakewood, WA?
You'd need roughly $3,916 in Toronto and $4,926 in Lakewood, WA to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Toronto and in Lakewood, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,631 in Toronto versus $1,961 in Lakewood, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Toronto – a meal for two runs $79.0 versus $68.0 in Lakewood, WA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Toronto or Lakewood, WA?
All in, you'll spend $2,610 per month in Toronto versus $3,284 in Lakewood, WA – a 26% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $2,500 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Toronto is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Toronto and Lakewood, WA?
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.
Is Toronto or Lakewood, WA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Toronto and Lakewood, WA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Toronto or Lakewood, WA?
Expats usually find Toronto gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Lakewood, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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