😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,620 in Toronto versus $2,150 in Owen Sound.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,866 in Toronto versus $3,207 in Owen Sound.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,111 in Toronto versus $4,263 in Owen Sound.
🌍Living in Toronto is roughly 22% more expensive than in Owen Sound, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Toronto90% above, Owen Sound56% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Toronto
Owen Sound
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.85CA$24.75
$14.74CA$20.44
21.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$86.8CA$120
$48.18CA$66.8
80.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.94CA$15.17
$9.66CA$13.40
13.25%
Cappuccino
$4.01CA$5.57
$3.65CA$5.06
9.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19CA$3.04
$2.03CA$2.81
7.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69CA$2.34
$1.67CA$2.32
1.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.45CA$8.94
$4.46CA$6.18
44.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.05CA$9.77
$5.74CA$7.96
22.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Toronto
Owen Sound
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.71CA$3.77
$2.51CA$3.49
7.97%
White Bread(500g)
$2.92CA$4.05
$2.83CA$3.92
3.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.48CA$3.44
$3.46CA$4.80
-28.32%
Eggs
$3.85CA$5.34
$4.46CA$6.19
-13.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.10CA$14.01
$9.70CA$13.45
4.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.02CA$16.66
$16.37CA$22.71
-26.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.61CA$21.65
$24.09CA$33.42
-35.20%
Apples(1kg)
$3.90CA$5.41
$7.24CA$10.04
-46.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.24CA$1.72
$1.88CA$2.60
-34.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.78CA$5.24
$3.62CA$5.03
4.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.38CA$6.08
$3.05CA$4.23
43.61%
Potato(1kg)
$1.93CA$2.67
$2.56CA$3.56
-24.61%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50CA$2.08
$3.33CA$4.61
-54.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.28CA$3.17
$2.27CA$3.15
0.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.46CA$2.02
$1.35CA$1.87
8.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.52CA$20.14
$13.70CA$19.00
5.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.42CA$20.00
$16.42CA$22.78
-12.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.26CA$3.14
$4.52CA$6.26
-50.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59CA$3.60
$5.13CA$7.11
-49.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Toronto
Owen Sound
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.36CA$3.28
$2.23CA$3.10
5.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$114CA$159
$62.9CA$87.3
81.65%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.16CA$4.38
$4.73CA$6.56
-33.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.26CA$1.74
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.57CA$31.30
$25.76CA$35.73
-12.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24CA$1.72
$1.06CA$1.48
16.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.3KCA$37.9K
$27.4KCA$38.0K
-0.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7KCA$28.8K
$19.2KCA$26.7K
7.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
Owen Sound
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$124CA$172
$99.8CA$138
23.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.72CA$45.38
$30.17CA$41.85
8.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.79CA$67.7
$49.28CA$68.4
-0.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
Owen Sound
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.27CA$55.9
$114CA$158
-64.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.84CA$33.06
$41.35CA$57.3
-42.35%
Cinema Ticket
$12.82CA$17.77
$7.90CA$10.96
62.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Toronto
Owen Sound
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$787CA$1,092
$485CA$672
62.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.5KCA$34.0K
$7,169CA$9,942
242.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
Owen Sound
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.2CA$75.2
$36.54CA$50.7
48.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.10CA$59.8
$28.09CA$38.96
53.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.9CA$136
$89.9CA$125
8.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126CA$175
$108CA$150
16.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Toronto
Owen Sound
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,660CA$2,303
$1,341CA$1,859
23.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,483CA$2,057
$925CA$1,283
60.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,800CA$3,883
$2,253CA$3,125
24.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,157CA$2,991
$1,613CA$2,237
33.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,381CA$11.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,842CA$9,489
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Toronto
Owen Sound
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,799CA$5,269
$3,039CA$4,215
25.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.47
5.39
-17.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Toronto: September 6, 2026
Last update for Owen Sound: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,660 in Toronto and $1,341 in Owen Sound. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Toronto pays 25% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $87.0 in Toronto vs $48.00 in Owen Sound. Groceries flip the comparison at $364 vs $451, with Toronto cheaper for home cooking.
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 Owen Sound: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Owen Sound cheaper than Toronto?
Owen Sound is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 22% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Toronto or Owen Sound?
Average pay runs 25% higher in Toronto, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Toronto and Owen Sound?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,660 in Toronto versus $1,341 in Owen Sound. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Toronto or in Owen Sound?
Dining out is cheaper in Owen Sound – a meal for two runs $48.00 versus $87.0 in Toronto. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Toronto and in Owen Sound?
All in, you'll spend $2,620 per month in Toronto versus $2,150 in Owen Sound – a 22% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Toronto or in Owen Sound?
At $2,150 in Owen Sound versus $2,620 in Toronto, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Owen Sound but tight or insufficient in Toronto. The gap between the two cities makes Owen Sound the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Toronto or in Owen Sound?
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.
Which city is safer, Toronto or Owen Sound?
Safety-wise, Toronto and Owen Sound are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Owen Sound gentler on the wallet – expenses run 22% less than in Toronto. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.