Cost of Living Comparison Between Toronto and McLean, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Toronto and McLean, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,811 per month in Toronto vs $2,893 in McLean, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,130 per month in Toronto vs $4,482 in McLean, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,449 per month in Toronto vs $6,072 in McLean, VA, rent included.

Toronto is about 3% cheaper than McLean, VA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Toronto and McLean, VA sit above the global median – Toronto by 110%, McLean, VA by 116%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.71 CA$25.99

$18.03 $18.03

3.77%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.9 CA$114

$60.0 $60.0

36.52%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.83 CA$15.04

$12.24 $12.24

-11.52%

Cappuccino

$3.89 CA$5.40

$5.41 $5.41

-28.10%

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

$2.22 CA$3.09

$2.07 $2.07

7.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 CA$2.29

$1.52 $1.52

8.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.05 CA$8.41

$6.32 $6.32

-4.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.58 CA$9.15

$7.53 $7.53

-12.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.73 CA$3.79

$1.15 $1.15

137.39%

White Bread (500g)

$2.72 CA$3.77

$3.55 $3.55

-23.38%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.54 CA$4.91

$2.55 $2.55

38.82%

Eggs

$3.50 CA$4.86

$4.93 $4.93

-29.01%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.53 CA$18.80

$17.41 $17.41

-22.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.09 CA$18.19

$10.16 $10.16

28.84%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.96 CA$23.57

$19.79 $19.79

-14.30%

Apples (1kg)

$4.16 CA$5.78

$7.06 $7.06

-41.08%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 CA$1.64

$1.70 $1.70

-30.59%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.25 CA$4.51

$8.21 $8.21

-60.41%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.12 CA$5.72

$7.99 $7.99

-48.44%

Potato (1kg)

$2.50 CA$3.48

$4.81 $4.81

-48.02%

Onion (1kg)

$2.88 CA$4.00

$3.60 $3.60

-20.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.35 CA$3.26

$2.80 $2.80

-16.07%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 CA$2.78

$0.98 $0.98

104.08%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.58 CA$20.26

$7.92 $7.92

84.09%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.18 CA$19.70

$16.03 $16.03

-11.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.80 CA$3.89

$1.69 $1.69

65.68%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 CA$4.52

$3.74 $3.74

-13.10%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.40 CA$3.33

$2.49 $2.49

-3.61%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$114 CA$158

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.76 CA$5.22

$4.47 $4.47

-15.88%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 CA$1.96

$1.36 $1.36

3.68%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.53 CA$35.47

$29.05 $29.05

-12.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.10 CA$1.53

$0.87 $0.87

26.44%

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

$25.2K CA$35.1K

$26.3K $26.3K

-3.93%

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

$21.1K CA$29.3K

$25.1K $25.1K

-15.95%

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

$120 CA$166

$214 $214

-44.14%

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

$37.54 CA$52.2

$52.9 $52.9

-29.05%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.5 CA$75.7

$61.0 $61.0

-10.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.5 CA$77.1

$91.1 $91.1

-39.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.15 CA$29.39

Cinema Ticket

$11.56 CA$16.06

$15.14 $15.14

-23.65%

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

$1,129 CA$1,569

$1,928 $1,928

-41.42%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.0K CA$25.0K

$56.2K $56.2K

-68.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.9 CA$79.1

$48.05 $48.05

18.48%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.96 CA$55.5

$48.08 $48.08

-16.89%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.7 CA$125

$70.5 $70.5

27.25%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 CA$159

$66.1 $66.1

72.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,849 CA$2,570

$2,820 $2,820

-34.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,560 CA$2,167

$1,626 $1,626

-4.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,925 CA$4,065

$3,749 $3,749

-21.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,470 CA$3,432

$3,205 $3,205

-22.94%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,085 CA$12.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,036 CA$9,775

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,572 CA$4,963

$5,794 $5,794

-38.35%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.16

6.46

-20.12%

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

Last update for Toronto: May 31, 2026

Last update for McLean, VA: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,849 in Toronto versus $2,820 in McLean, VA. 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 62% higher in McLean, VA, 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 $82.0 in Toronto versus $60.0 in McLean, VA. Groceries tell a different story – $396 in Toronto vs $450 in McLean, VA – 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 McLean, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,811 in Toronto, $2,893 in McLean, VA – roughly 3% apart. McLean, VA costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,216 per month in Toronto and $4,339 in McLean, VA. 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 $2,811 in Toronto and $2,893 in McLean, VA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,129 per month in Toronto and $1,928 in McLean, VA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,811 in Toronto and $2,893 in McLean, VA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Toronto – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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