Cost of Living in Scarborough - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $897 (excluding rent), and $2,595 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,321 (excluding rent), and $4,371 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.52 CA$25.93

$11.11 CA$15.55

$33.33 CA$46.66

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.7 CA$113

$55 CA$77

$110 CA$154

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.07 CA$15.51

$9.23 CA$12.92

$13.07 CA$18.3

Cappuccino

$4.2 CA$5.88

$2.26 CA$3.17

$6.03 CA$8.44

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 CA$3.05

$0.76 CA$1.06

$3.03 CA$4.25

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.52 CA$2.13

$0.76 CA$1.06

$2.26 CA$3.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.03 CA$8.44

$3.77 CA$5.28

$7.54 CA$10.55

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.67 CA$9.34

$5.18 CA$7.25

$10 CA$14

Milk (1 liter)

$2.41 CA$3.38

$1.13 CA$1.58

$3.78 CA$5.29

White Bread (500g)

$2.48 CA$3.48

$1.45 CA$2.03

$3.26 CA$4.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.78 CA$3.89

$1.12 CA$1.57

$6.61 CA$9.25

Eggs

$3.61 CA$5.06

$2.25 CA$3.15

$5.24 CA$7.34

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.45 CA$18.83

$5.88 CA$8.23

$25.73 CA$36.02

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.29 CA$15.81

$5.87 CA$8.21

$19.79 CA$27.71

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.54 CA$20.36

$5.82 CA$8.15

$21.84 CA$30.58

Apples (1kg)

$3.54 CA$4.96

$1.34 CA$1.88

$5.5 CA$7.7

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 CA$1.63

$0.75 CA$1.05

$2.24 CA$3.14

Oranges (1kg)

$2.82 CA$3.94

$1.17 CA$1.63

$3.94 CA$5.52

Tomato (1kg)

$3.41 CA$4.77

$1.57 CA$2.2

$5.1 CA$7.14

Potato (1kg)

$1.61 CA$2.25

$0.49 CA$0.68

$2.93 CA$4.1

Onion (1kg)

$2.55 CA$3.57

$0.74 CA$1.03

$3.66 CA$5.13

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.16 CA$3.02

$1.42 CA$1.99

$2.9 CA$4.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 CA$2.28

$0.72 CA$1.01

$2.98 CA$4.17

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.41 CA$18.77

$9.67 CA$13.54

$17.88 CA$25.03

Wine (Bottle)

$11.4 CA$15.96

$8.54 CA$11.96

$14.25 CA$19.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 CA$3.55

$1.49 CA$2.09

$4.48 CA$6.27

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 CA$3.59

$2.07 CA$2.9

$5.92 CA$8.29

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 CA$3.48

$2.44 CA$3.42

$2.52 CA$3.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$107 CA$150

$52 CA$72.8

$107 CA$150

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.2 CA$4.48

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.19 CA$1.67

$3.4 CA$4.76

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.47 CA$31.47

$21.75 CA$30.45

$22.47 CA$31.47

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 CA$1.59

$1.05 CA$1.47

$1.2 CA$1.68

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.8K CA$34.7K

$28.6K CA$40.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.8K CA$29.1K

$20K CA$28K

$21.9K CA$30.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$176 CA$247

$73.9 CA$103

$296 CA$414

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$41.87 CA$58.6

$22.01 CA$30.82

$68 CA$95.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.4 CA$74.7

$36.33 CA$50.9

$72.7 CA$102

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.17 CA$50.6

$18.09 CA$25.32

$54.3 CA$76

Cinema Ticket

$14.1 CA$19.74

$10.39 CA$14.55

$16.33 CA$22.86

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$832 CA$1,165

$362 CA$506

$1,085 CA$1,519

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.1K CA$15.5K

$7,387 CA$10.3K

$14.8K CA$20.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.5 CA$80.5

$22.07 CA$30.9

$86.8 CA$122

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.23 CA$59.1

$25.7 CA$35.98

$58.7 CA$82.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.2 CA$119

$43.67 CA$61.1

$127 CA$178

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 CA$144

$58.6 CA$82

$176 CA$246

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,772 CA$2,481

$1,019 CA$1,427

$1,772 CA$2,481

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,361 CA$1,906

$1,269 CA$1,776

$1,454 CA$2,036

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,180 CA$3,052

$1,598 CA$2,238

$2,180 CA$3,052

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,652 CA$2,313

$1,352 CA$1,892

$1,952 CA$2,733

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,666 CA$10.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,249 CA$8,749

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,083 CA$4,316

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.08

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Scarborough - Frequently Asked Questions

Scarborough offers a balance of affordability and access. For many, Scarborough contrasts with downtown Toronto by offering broader housing choices and lower rents for comparable spaces. Cost of Living in Scarborough tends to be more forgiving if you prioritize transit connections and practical amenities over flashy nightlife. You can find older apartments with character plus newer builds near major transit lines. Food, groceries, and services cover a wide range, letting you maintain a comfortable routine while exploring. Tip: Plan a flexible budget and explore transit-accessible neighborhoods.

Daily life in Scarborough blends suburban ease with strong city access. When housing hunting, target transit corridors and walkable commercial strips; older low-rise buildings often offer better value than high-rises near tourist zones. Scarborough living cost varies by neighborhood, so compare units with similar features and check inclusions like heat or utilities. Food choices run from large supermarkets to diverse ethnic markets, with plenty of affordable ready-to-cook staples. For getting around, rely on TTC buses and GO connections; bikes and walks work for short trips. For work or study, look for co-working spaces near lakeshore or inland campuses. Tip: Start with a simple weekly budget and log costs to spot savings.

Quality of life in Scarborough hinges on choosing a neighborhood that fits your pace and network. Use a simple budgeting framework: fixed essentials (rent, utilities), flexible costs (groceries, transport), and discretionary spending (eating out, activities). Save by sharing accommodations, shopping at local markets, and taking advantage of city libraries and public spaces. Seasonality affects travel and energy use, so plan heating in winter and cooling needs in summer to avoid spikes. Neighborhood fit matters: riverside, lakefront, or inland types offer different vibes and commute times. Tip: test your schedule with a week-long stay or trial period in a couple of areas before settling in.