For one person, living costs in Markham are estimated at $2,416 a month, including rent and utilities, which take almost two thirds of the total. Other living expenses average about $30 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Markham actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $2,416 monthly including rent, or $900 excluding housing.
$2,416 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,465 with rent, or $1,526 without housing.
$3,465 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,514 including rent, or $2,153 for daily expenses alone.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.1KCA$39.7K
$28.1KCA$39.7K
$28.1KCA$39.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.1KCA$25.6K
$17.6KCA$24.9K
$18.8KCA$26.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125CA$177
$74.5CA$105
$280CA$396
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.20CA$37.04
$20.76CA$29.34
$31.28CA$44.23
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$45.69CA$64.6
$38.75CA$54.8
$56.4CA$79.7
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.62CA$60.3
$13.92CA$19.67
$69.6CA$98.4
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.28CA$30.09
$17.75CA$25.10
$22.73CA$32.14
Cinema Ticket
$10.19CA$14.40
$7.14CA$10.10
$10.73CA$15.17
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$870CA$1,230
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$27.5KCA$38.8K
$26.2KCA$37.0K
$28.1KCA$39.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.21CA$61.1
$32.01CA$45.26
$64.3CA$90.9
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.22CA$52.6
$24.57CA$34.74
$43.63CA$61.7
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.1CA$129
$37.85CA$53.5
$124CA$176
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105CA$148
$56.8CA$80.3
$144CA$204
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,554CA$2,197
$1,453CA$2,055
$1,808CA$2,556
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,391CA$1,967
$1,236CA$1,747
$1,676CA$2,369
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,699CA$3,816
$2,594CA$3,667
$3,155CA$4,460
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,236CA$3,160
$2,062CA$2,915
$2,612CA$3,692
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,896CA$8,335
$4,813CA$6,805
$6,739CA$9,527
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,309CA$7,506
$4,716CA$6,667
$5,942CA$8,400
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,132CA$4,428
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.56
4
4.7
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 11, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Markham$2,416
Markham$4,514
🏠Accommodation & Living
$1.4K 57.6%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$279 * 11.5%
🍽Eating Out
$257 10.6%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$197 8.2%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$124 5.2%
🚌Getting Around
$105 * 4.3%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$63 2.6%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🏠Accommodation & Living
$2.2K 49.5%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$624 * 13.8%
🍽Eating Out
$792 17.6%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$224 5%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$276 6.1%
🚌Getting Around
$216 * 4.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$147 3.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $1,554 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,391 outside the center. At 50% of the average salary ($3,132), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $3,132, while typical expenses reach $2,416. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $3,624.
🛒Expect to spend about $279 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $53.0 for two.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $89.3 per month.
Cost Highlights
⭐White bread is cheaper than 90% of cities in North America
⭐Markham is more expensive than 79% globally but cheaper than 51% within North America.
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
Cost of Living in Markham - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Markham compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads on a medium-term stay?
Markham offers a mix of modern conveniences and higher-than-average suburban prices compared to nearby cities. You’ll find a broad range of neighborhoods, from dense condo clusters near transit to quieter, family-friendly pockets with parks. Overall, the Cost of Living in Markham tends to be comfortable for daily needs, with reliable groceries, services, and dining options, but housing remains the biggest influence on your budget. If you’re budgeting as a traveler or long-term visitor, lean toward transit-accessible areas and consider sharing housing to keep daily costs predictable. Tip: set a flexible monthly plan that accommodates seasonal shifts and occasional weekend getaways.
What does daily life look like in Markham for housing, food, transport, and coworking?
Daily life revolves around practical choices: housing in Markham runs from high-rise rentals near major hubs to family-sized homes in quieter corners. For food, you’ll find a mix of large supermarkets and ethnic markets offering variety without sacrificing quality. Transit options include bus routes and nearby GO lines, with driving feasible in many seasons but winter snow can slow things down. For work or projects, consider coworking spaces in campuses or business districts. If you’re evaluating the Markham living cost, look at neighborhood clusters with good groceries and transit to keep errands efficient. Tip: schedule downtime to explore seasonal markets and local parks.
What strategies help maintain quality of life in Markham while staying within budget, especially seasonality and neighborhood fit?
Approach budgeting as a framework: separate fixed essentials (housing, utilities, transit) from discretionary spending (food, entertainment). In Markham, summer dining and fall festivals can offer affordable outdoor options, while winter costs often shift toward heating and transit planning. To maximize value, map neighborhoods by access to amenities, parks, and transit rather than price alone. Consider longer leases in stable areas to lock in steadier rent without sacrificing flexibility, or explore multi-month co-living setups if you travel. Tip: track a simple monthly ledger and reallocate funds after quarterly checks to stay aligned with your goals.
Is Markham worth the cost of living?
At around $2,416 monthly all-in, Markham offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
Is Markham expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Markham is moderately priced at about $2,416 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Can you save money on an average salary in Markham?
At $3,132 take-home, most residents in Markham can cover the $2,416 monthly cost of living. Those earning $3,624 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Markham?
Where you live in Markham makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,554; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,391. Overall, the market runs from $1,391 to $1,554 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Markham?
A regular gym membership in Markham costs around $42.62 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Markham?
Expect to spend around $279 per month on groceries in Markham. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Markham?
Living on $2,000 in Markham means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,416. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Markham?
Markham offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and at around $2,416 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.