Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Toronto and Modesto, CA

For one person, living costs are similar in Toronto and in Modesto, CA: $2,530 and $2,634 a month, rent and utilities included.

Toronto
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,530
/mo nomad
Modesto, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,634
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Toronto and in Modesto, CA

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

A single person spends $2,530 per month in Toronto vs $2,634 in Modesto, CA, rent included.

  • Toronto $2,530
  • Modesto, CA $2,634

A couple spends around $3,646 per month in Toronto vs $3,994 in Modesto, CA, rent included.

  • Toronto $3,646
  • Modesto, CA $3,994

A family of three spends $4,761 per month in Toronto vs $5,354 in Modesto, CA, rent included.

  • Toronto $4,761
  • Modesto, CA $5,354

Toronto is about 4% cheaper than Modesto, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Toronto and Modesto, CA sit above the global median – Toronto by 89%, Modesto, CA by 97%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Toronto
Modesto, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.67 CA$25.19
$14.85 $14.85
18.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$77.4 CA$110
$78.9 $78.9
-1.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.47 CA$14.93
$9.02 $9.02
16.08%
Cappuccino
$4.08 CA$5.81
$5.56 $5.56
-26.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 CA$3.02
$2.57 $2.57
-17.51%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76 CA$2.51
$1.64 $1.64
7.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.17 CA$8.80
$5.01 $5.01
23.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.89 CA$9.82
$7.16 $7.16
-3.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Toronto
Modesto, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.43 CA$3.46
$1.10 $1.10
120.91%
White Bread (500g)
$2.75 CA$3.92
$3.55 $3.55
-22.54%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.23 CA$3.18
$4.22 $4.22
-47.16%
Eggs
$3.45 CA$4.91
$5.55 $5.55
-37.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.93 CA$12.73
$13.00 $13.00
-31.31%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.44 CA$16.31
$13.57 $13.57
-15.70%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.61 CA$20.83
$19.45 $19.45
-24.88%
Apples (1kg)
$3.75 CA$5.34
$5.40 $5.40
-30.56%
Banana (1kg)
$1.15 CA$1.64
$1.93 $1.93
-40.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.55 CA$5.06
$5.35 $5.35
-33.64%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.28 CA$6.10
$5.38 $5.38
-20.45%
Potato (1kg)
$1.85 CA$2.63
$3.60 $3.60
-48.61%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 CA$2.38
$2.91 $2.91
-42.61%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 CA$3.16
$2.44 $2.44
-9.02%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.21 CA$1.72
$2.46 $2.46
-50.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.88 CA$19.78
$11.69 $11.69
18.73%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.25 CA$20.31
$14.74 $14.74
-3.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.20 CA$3.13
$1.92 $1.92
14.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 CA$3.45
$3.29 $3.29
-26.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Toronto
Modesto, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.42 CA$3.44
$1.95 $1.95
24.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$111 CA$158
$40.63 $40.63
172.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.90 CA$4.13
$3.47 $3.47
-16.43%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.26 CA$1.80
$3.04 $3.04
-58.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.03 CA$31.40
$29.63 $29.63
-25.65%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 CA$1.74
$1.40 $1.40
-12.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.6K CA$39.4K
$36.2K $36.2K
-23.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8K CA$28.3K
$25.8K $25.8K
-23.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
Modesto, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$122 CA$174
$262 $262
-53.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.03 CA$45.66
$47.75 $47.75
-32.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.92 CA$68.3
$69.4 $69.4
-30.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
Modesto, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.90 CA$55.5
$41.66 $41.66
-6.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.24 CA$33.12
$15.14 $15.14
53.50%
Cinema Ticket
$12.61 CA$17.97
$10.81 $10.81
16.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Toronto
Modesto, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$834 CA$1,189
$1,792 $1,792
-53.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.3K CA$33.3K
$40.5K $40.5K
-42.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
Modesto, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.6 CA$75.0
$48.10 $48.10
9.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.26 CA$57.4
$39.40 $39.40
2.18%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.2 CA$137
$94.5 $94.5
1.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 CA$175
$120 $120
2.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Toronto
Modesto, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,598 CA$2,278
$1,425 $1,425
12.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,435 CA$2,045
$1,293 $1,293
10.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,657 CA$3,787
$2,438 $2,438
9.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,096 CA$2,988
$2,403 $2,403
-12.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,033 CA$11.5K
$3,151 $3,151
154.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,557 CA$9,347
$3,185 $3,185
105.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Toronto
Modesto, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,743 CA$5,335
$4,038 $4,038
-7.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.47
6.1
-26.72%

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

Last update for Toronto: October 4, 2026

Last update for Modesto, CA: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Toronto
$1.4K
Modesto, CA
$1.3K 9.9% $142
Groceries & Markets
Toronto
$340
Modesto, CA
$439 29.1% $99
Eating Out
Toronto
$282
Modesto, CA
$269 4.6% $13
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
$202
Modesto, CA
$380 88% $178
Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
$140
Modesto, CA
$136 3.3% $4.6
Getting Around
Toronto
$130
Modesto, CA
$67 48.2% $63
Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
$64
Modesto, CA
$63 1.3% $0.8

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,598 in Toronto versus $1,425 in Modesto, CA. 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 Modesto, CA, 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 $77.0 in Toronto versus $79.0 in Modesto, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $340 vs $439 – making Toronto the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Toronto
🇺🇸 Modesto, CA
🕒 Local time
10:36 10:36 AM
07:36 7:36 AM
3 h behind Toronto
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,731,571
211,266
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 11, 2026: 1 USD = 1.43 CAD (1 CAD = 0.702 USD). 1 EUR = 1.6 CAD (1 CAD = 0.626 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 11, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Toronto Modesto, CA 3,540 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Toronto
  • Modesto, CA

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 Modesto, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Toronto or Modesto, CA?
Modesto, CA costs about 4% more than Toronto, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Toronto and in Modesto, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,795 per month in Toronto and $3,952 in Modesto, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Toronto or Modesto, CA?
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.
How much does it cost to live in Toronto compared to Modesto, CA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,530 in Toronto and $2,634 in Modesto, CA. That's a gap of about 4%.
How expensive is transport in Toronto compared to Modesto, CA?
Public transport costs about 173% less in Toronto. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Toronto or in Modesto, CA?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,530 in Toronto and $2,634 in Modesto, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
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.
Should I move to Toronto or to Modesto, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Toronto. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Modesto, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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