Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Torrance, CA and Toronto

For one person, living is cheaper in Toronto: $2,561 a month against $3,520 in Torrance, CA, rent and utilities included – about $11,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Torrance, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,520
/mo nomad
Toronto
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,561
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Torrance, CA and in Toronto actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,520 in Torrance, CA versus $2,561 in Toronto.

  • Torrance, CA $3,520
  • Toronto $2,561

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,192 in Torrance, CA versus $3,694 in Toronto.

  • Torrance, CA $5,192
  • Toronto $3,694

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,864 in Torrance, CA versus $4,826 in Toronto.

  • Torrance, CA $6,864
  • Toronto $4,826

Living in Torrance, CA is roughly 37% more expensive than in Toronto, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Torrance, CA 161% above, Toronto 90% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Torrance, CA
Toronto
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.76 $24.76
$17.18 CA$24.29
44.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.5 $78.5
$76.0 CA$107
3.36%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.75 $14.75
$10.54 CA$14.89
39.94%
Cappuccino
$4.66 $4.66
$4.02 CA$5.68
15.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.77 $3.77
$2.12 CA$3.00
77.83%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74 $2.74
$1.75 CA$2.48
56.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.06 $8.06
$6.24 CA$8.83
29.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.85 $9.85
$7.09 CA$10.02
38.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Torrance, CA
Toronto
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.29 $1.29
$2.44 CA$3.45
-47.13%
White Bread (500g)
$4.70 $4.70
$2.68 CA$3.78
75.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.89 $4.89
$2.24 CA$3.17
118.30%
Eggs
$4.47 $4.47
$3.56 CA$5.03
25.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.62 $11.62
$9.09 CA$12.85
27.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.07 $16.07
$11.33 CA$16.01
41.84%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.91 $19.91
$14.53 CA$20.55
37.03%
Apples (1kg)
$5.02 $5.02
$3.62 CA$5.12
38.67%
Banana (1kg)
$2.33 $2.33
$1.21 CA$1.72
92.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$3.60 CA$5.09
31.39%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.55 $5.55
$4.21 CA$5.96
31.83%
Potato (1kg)
$3.06 $3.06
$1.79 CA$2.53
70.95%
Onion (1kg)
$3.14 $3.14
$1.59 CA$2.25
97.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.08 $2.08
$2.27 CA$3.21
-8.37%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.62 $2.62
$1.25 CA$1.77
109.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.92 $12.92
$13.82 CA$19.53
-6.51%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.89 $14.89
$14.27 CA$20.18
4.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.46 $2.46
$2.20 CA$3.10
11.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06 $3.06
$2.43 CA$3.44
25.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Torrance, CA
Toronto
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.39 CA$3.38
-17.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.40 $40.40
$111 CA$157
-63.58%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.13 $3.13
$2.91 CA$4.12
7.56%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.84 $1.84
$1.20 CA$1.69
53.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$32.67 $32.67
$21.38 CA$30.23
52.81%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.21 CA$1.71
20.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.8K $36.8K
$28.2K CA$39.8K
30.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K $26.5K
$20.3K CA$28.6K
31.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Torrance, CA
Toronto
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$256 $256
$120 CA$170
112.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.2 $53.2
$32.26 CA$45.60
65.00%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.2 $72.2
$47.93 CA$67.8
50.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Torrance, CA
Toronto
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$59.3 $59.3
$38.48 CA$54.4
54.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.36 $25.36
$22.96 CA$32.46
10.45%
Cinema Ticket
$19.95 $19.95
$12.38 CA$17.50
61.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Torrance, CA
Toronto
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,694 $1,694
$830 CA$1,173
104.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.1K $15.1K
$23.1K CA$32.6K
-34.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Torrance, CA
Toronto
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.5 $64.5
$50.7 CA$71.7
27.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.7 $63.7
$40.02 CA$56.6
59.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$107 $107
$98.0 CA$139
8.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$192 $192
$121 CA$171
59.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Torrance, CA
Toronto
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,612 $2,612
$1,592 CA$2,251
64.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,941 $1,941
$1,410 CA$1,994
37.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,298 $4,298
$2,670 CA$3,775
60.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,426 $3,426
$2,152 CA$3,042
59.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,546 $7,546
$7,945 CA$11.2K
-5.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,336 $6,336
$6,542 CA$9,249
-3.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Torrance, CA
Toronto
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,675 $5,675
$3,727 CA$5,269
52.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
4.47
42.95%

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

Last update for Torrance, CA: October 13, 2026

Last update for Toronto: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Torrance, CA
$1.9K
Toronto
$1.4K 27.3% $530
Groceries & Markets
Torrance, CA
$461
Toronto
$340 26.4% $122
Eating Out
Torrance, CA
$384
Toronto
$278 27.6% $106
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Torrance, CA
$381
Toronto
$201 47.4% $181
Clothing & Footwear
Torrance, CA
$192
Toronto
$139 27.6% $53
Sport & Entertainment
Torrance, CA
$99
Toronto
$63 36.3% $36
Getting Around
Torrance, CA
$61
Toronto
$129 114% $69

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,612 in Torrance, CA and $1,592 in Toronto. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Torrance, CA pays 52% 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: $79.0 in Torrance, CA vs $76.0 in Toronto for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $461 vs $340 per month, with Toronto cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Torrance, CA
🇨🇦 Toronto
🕒 Local time
13:21 1:21 PM
16:21 4:21 PM
3 h ahead of Torrance, CA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
142,350
2,731,571
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.889 EUR).

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).

On the map
Between locations
  • Torrance, CA Toronto 3,510 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Torrance, CA
  • Toronto

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
Torrance, CA vs Toronto: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toronto cheaper than Torrance, CA?
Toronto is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 37% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Torrance, CA or Toronto?
Average pay runs 52% higher in Torrance, CA, 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 Torrance, CA and Toronto?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,612 in Torrance, CA versus $1,592 in Toronto. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Torrance, CA and in Toronto?
Supermarket bills run roughly 36% higher in Torrance, CA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Torrance, CA or in Toronto?
Dining out is cheaper in Toronto – a meal for two runs $76.0 versus $79.0 in Torrance, CA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Torrance, CA or in Toronto?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Toronto is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is Torrance, CA or Toronto more family-friendly?
For families, Toronto is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Torrance, CA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Torrance, CA or Toronto?
Safety-wise, Torrance, CA and Toronto 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 Toronto gentler on the wallet – expenses run 37% less than in Torrance, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Torrance, CA vs other spots: cost of living compared

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