Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Toronto and Mahabad

For one person, living is cheaper in Mahabad: $522 a month against $2,561 in Toronto, rent and utilities included – about $24,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Toronto
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,561
/mo nomad
Mahabad
🇮🇷 Iran
$522
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Toronto and in Mahabad

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

A single person spends $2,561 per month in Toronto vs $522 in Mahabad, rent included.

  • Toronto $2,561
  • Mahabad $522

A couple spends around $3,694 per month in Toronto vs $849 in Mahabad, rent included.

  • Toronto $3,694
  • Mahabad $849

A family of three spends $4,826 per month in Toronto vs $1,177 in Mahabad, rent included.

  • Toronto $4,826
  • Mahabad $1,177

Toronto costs about 391% more than Mahabad, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Toronto sits 90% above the global median, while Mahabad is 61% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Toronto
Mahabad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.18 CA$24.29
$2.97 $2.97
478.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.0 CA$107
$17.06 $17.06
345.31%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.54 CA$14.89
$4.06 $4.06
159.61%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.80 $0.80
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.08 $1.08
-
Cappuccino
$4.02 CA$5.68
$1.13 $1.13
255.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 CA$3.00
$0.52 $0.52
307.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 CA$2.48
$0.94 $0.94
86.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.24 CA$8.83
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.09 CA$10.02
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Toronto
Mahabad
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.44 CA$3.45
$0.65 $0.65
275.38%
White Bread (500g)
$2.68 CA$3.78
$0.51 $0.51
425.49%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.24 CA$3.17
$2.07 $2.07
8.21%
Eggs
$3.56 CA$5.03
$1.18 $1.18
201.69%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.09 CA$12.85
$4.30 $4.30
111.40%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.33 CA$16.01
$3.21 $3.21
252.96%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.53 CA$20.55
$7.58 $7.58
91.69%
Apples (1kg)
$3.62 CA$5.12
$1.00 $1.00
262.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.21 CA$1.72
$1.55 $1.55
-21.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.60 CA$5.09
$0.86 $0.86
318.60%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.21 CA$5.96
$0.61 $0.61
590.16%
Potato (1kg)
$1.79 CA$2.53
$0.54 $0.54
231.48%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 CA$2.25
$0.47 $0.47
238.30%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.27 CA$3.21
$0.53 $0.53
328.30%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25 CA$1.77
$0.26 $0.26
380.77%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$0.92 $0.92
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.52 $0.52
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.34 $1.34
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.82 CA$19.53
$2.14 $2.14
545.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.27 CA$20.18
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.20 CA$3.10
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43 CA$3.44
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Toronto
Mahabad
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.39 CA$3.38
$0.15 $0.15
1493.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$111 CA$157
$8.76 $8.76
1166.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.91 CA$4.12
$0.44 $0.44
561.36%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.20 CA$1.69
$0.29 $0.29
313.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.38 CA$30.23
$2.87 $2.87
644.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.21 CA$1.71
$0.10 $0.10
1110.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.2K CA$39.8K
$47.7K $47.7K
-40.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K CA$28.6K
$47.6K $47.6K
-57.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
Mahabad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 CA$170
$12.32 $12.32
876.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.26 CA$45.60
$1.58 $1.58
1941.77%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.93 CA$67.8
$3.76 $3.76
1174.73%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
Mahabad
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.48 CA$54.4
$18.63 $18.63
106.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.96 CA$32.46
$11.75 $11.75
95.40%
Cinema Ticket
$12.38 CA$17.50
$1.97 $1.97
528.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Toronto
Mahabad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$830 CA$1,173
$106 $106
679.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.1K CA$32.6K
$2,234 $2,234
933.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
Mahabad
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.7 CA$71.7
$23.20 $23.20
118.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.02 CA$56.6
$28.48 $28.48
40.52%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.0 CA$139
$96.3 $96.3
1.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121 CA$171
$71.4 $71.4
69.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Toronto
Mahabad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,592 CA$2,251
$264 $264
503.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,410 CA$1,994
$211 $211
567.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,670 CA$3,775
$728 $728
266.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,152 CA$3,042
$408 $408
427.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,945 CA$11.2K
$1,131 $1,131
602.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,542 CA$9,249
$530 $530
1133.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Toronto
Mahabad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,727 CA$5,269
$253 $253
1373.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.47
24.3
-81.60%

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

Last update for Toronto: October 12, 2026

Last update for Mahabad: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Toronto
$1.4K
Mahabad
$211 85% $1.2K
Groceries & Markets
Toronto
$340
Mahabad
$105 69.1% $235
Eating Out
Toronto
$278
Mahabad
$55 80.1% $223
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
$201
Mahabad
$18 91.2% $183
Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
$139
Mahabad
$99 29.1% $40
Getting Around
Toronto
$129
Mahabad
$11 91.3% $118
Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
$63
Mahabad
$23 64.3% $41

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,592 in Toronto versus $264 in Mahabad. 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 1374% 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 $76.0 in Toronto versus $17.00 in Mahabad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $340 vs $105 – making Mahabad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Toronto
🇮🇷 Mahabad
🕒 Local time
17:08 5:08 PM
00:38 12:38 AM
7 h 30 min ahead of Toronto
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,731,571
208,541
💱 Currency
USD USD
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

USD exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Toronto Mahabad 9,500 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Toronto
  • Mahabad

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 Mahabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mahabad cheaper than Toronto?
Yes – Toronto is pricier by about 391%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,841 per month in Toronto and $783 in Mahabad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mahabad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $830 per month in Toronto and $106 in Mahabad. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Toronto and in Mahabad?
Groceries cost about 224% more in Toronto, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Toronto or in Mahabad?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Mahabad, where all-in costs run around $522, than in Toronto at $2,561. In Mahabad it covers expenses comfortably, while in Toronto it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Toronto or Mahabad more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Mahabad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Toronto or Mahabad?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Mahabad. 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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