Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Toronto and Tehran

For one person, living is cheaper in Tehran: $625 a month against $2,530 in Toronto, rent and utilities included – about $22,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Toronto
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,530
/mo nomad
Tehran
🇮🇷 Iran
$625
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Toronto and in Tehran

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

A single person spends $2,530 per month in Toronto vs $625 in Tehran, rent included.

  • Toronto $2,530
  • Tehran $625

A couple spends around $3,646 per month in Toronto vs $1,071 in Tehran, rent included.

  • Toronto $3,646
  • Tehran $1,071

A family of three spends $4,761 per month in Toronto vs $1,516 in Tehran, rent included.

  • Toronto $4,761
  • Tehran $1,516

Toronto costs about 305% more than Tehran, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Toronto sits 89% above the global median, while Tehran is 53% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Toronto
Tehran
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.67 CA$25.13
$3.66 $3.66
382.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$77.4 CA$110
$17.96 $17.96
330.85%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.47 CA$14.90
$3.96 $3.96
164.39%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.69 $0.69
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.46 $1.46
-
Cappuccino
$4.08 CA$5.80
$1.39 $1.39
193.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 CA$3.01
$0.49 $0.49
332.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76 CA$2.50
$1.65 $1.65
6.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.17 CA$8.78
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.89 CA$9.80
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Toronto
Tehran
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.43 CA$3.46
$0.70 $0.70
247.14%
White Bread (500g)
$2.75 CA$3.91
$0.62 $0.62
343.55%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.23 CA$3.17
$3.48 $3.48
-35.92%
Eggs
$3.45 CA$4.90
$1.23 $1.23
180.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.93 CA$12.71
$4.29 $4.29
108.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.44 CA$16.27
$3.45 $3.45
231.59%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.61 CA$20.78
$10.40 $10.40
40.48%
Apples (1kg)
$3.75 CA$5.33
$1.40 $1.40
167.86%
Banana (1kg)
$1.15 CA$1.63
$1.87 $1.87
-38.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.55 CA$5.05
$1.20 $1.20
195.83%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.28 CA$6.09
$0.67 $0.67
538.81%
Potato (1kg)
$1.85 CA$2.62
$0.54 $0.54
242.59%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 CA$2.37
$0.47 $0.47
255.32%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 CA$3.15
$0.58 $0.58
282.76%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.21 CA$1.72
$0.28 $0.28
332.14%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$0.77 $0.77
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.51 $0.51
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.10 $2.10
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.88 CA$19.74
$2.56 $2.56
442.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.25 CA$20.27
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.20 CA$3.12
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 CA$3.44
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Toronto
Tehran
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.42 CA$3.44
$0.11 $0.11
2100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$111 CA$158
$5.46 $5.46
1928.21%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.90 CA$4.12
$0.52 $0.52
457.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.26 CA$1.79
$0.29 $0.29
334.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.03 CA$31.33
$3.02 $3.02
629.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 CA$1.74
$0.10 $0.10
1120.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.6K CA$39.3K
$50.0K $50.0K
-44.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8K CA$28.2K
$44.5K $44.5K
-55.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
Tehran
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$122 CA$173
$12.91 $12.91
844.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.03 CA$45.56
$1.64 $1.64
1853.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.92 CA$68.2
$3.79 $3.79
1164.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
Tehran
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.90 CA$55.3
$24.40 $24.40
59.43%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.24 CA$33.05
$13.24 $13.24
75.53%
Cinema Ticket
$12.61 CA$17.94
$1.96 $1.96
543.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Toronto
Tehran
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$834 CA$1,186
$106 $106
683.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.3K CA$33.2K
$2,548 $2,548
815.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
Tehran
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.6 CA$74.8
$26.42 $26.42
99.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.26 CA$57.3
$37.23 $37.23
8.14%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.2 CA$137
$117 $117
-17.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 CA$175
$75.0 $75.0
63.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Toronto
Tehran
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,598 CA$2,273
$420 $420
280.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,435 CA$2,041
$267 $267
436.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,657 CA$3,779
$941 $941
182.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,096 CA$2,981
$637 $637
228.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,033 CA$11.4K
$1,238 $1,238
549.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,557 CA$9,327
$708 $708
825.98%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Toronto
Tehran
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,743 CA$5,324
$211 $211
1674.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.47
24.79
-81.97%

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

Last update for Toronto: October 4, 2026

Last update for Tehran: October 4, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Toronto
$1.4K
Tehran
$267 81.4% $1.2K
Groceries & Markets
Toronto
$340
Tehran
$128 62.4% $212
Eating Out
Toronto
$282
Tehran
$66 76.4% $215
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toronto
$202
Tehran
$18 90.9% $183
Clothing & Footwear
Toronto
$140
Tehran
$115 18.2% $25
Getting Around
Toronto
$130
Tehran
$7.9 93.9% $122
Sport & Entertainment
Toronto
$64
Tehran
$28 55.8% $36

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,598 in Toronto versus $420 in Tehran. 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 1675% 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 $77.0 in Toronto versus $18.00 in Tehran. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $340 vs $128 – making Tehran the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Toronto
🇮🇷 Tehran
🕒 Local time
00:50 12:50 AM
08:20 8:20 AM
7 h 30 min ahead of Toronto
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,731,571
8,000,000 Capital
💱 Currency
USD USD
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1.42 CAD (1 CAD = 0.703 USD). 1 EUR = 1.6 CAD (1 CAD = 0.627 EUR).

USD exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Toronto Tehran 9,890 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Toronto
  • Tehran

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 Tehran: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tehran cheaper than Toronto?
Yes – Toronto is pricier by about 305%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,795 per month in Toronto and $938 in Tehran. 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 Tehran, 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 $834 per month in Toronto and $106 in Tehran. 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 Tehran?
Groceries cost about 166% 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 Tehran?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Tehran, where all-in costs run around $625, than in Toronto at $2,530. In Tehran it covers expenses comfortably, while in Toronto it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Toronto or Tehran more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Tehran – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Tehran. 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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