Vancouver Vs Toronto

Vancouver vs Toronto: Where Should You Live in 2024?

Today we will share the comparison between Toronto and Vancouver. It will  help you to choose your living area when you are thinking of moving from any other cities or you are choosing cities for your education or jobs or any family issues. So the article is all about Vancouver Vs Toronto, where you can live? 

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and Over 6.5 million people are living in Toronto. Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada and Over 3 million people are living in Vancouver

Both are big cities with a huge population and growing economies, exciting activities, gorgeous scenery and most interesting tourist places with all of the local services in your budget friendly life .

 However, it is really a challenging task to choose between Vancouver and Toronto to live here.As you know both Cities are very different.

For example, many people in Toronto are associated with New York City. On the other hand, Vancouver has a Western vibe about it, which reminds people more of San Francisco city. 

Let’s see how Both cities here compare and which one will be the best option for your new home. Since there are a lot of points, you have to check the comparison carefully. which can help you to think about before you make a decision about Toronto and Vancouver.This article guide will help you to choose between living inToronto and Vancouver.

Vancouver Vs Toronto

Public Transit in Vancouver Vs Toronto

Public Transit in Vancouver Vs Toro

First of all you have to check and consider transporting facilities within both cities. In Vancouver, TransLink operates the public transit systems. In Toronto,  Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is operating the systems of public transit. 

Keep reading to Know all you need about public transits of these cities.

Public Transit fare prices in Vancouver

In Metro Vancouver, TransLink is the regional authority for transportation. Translink running a public transit system includes buses, SkyTrain, SeaBuses, and West Coast Express commuter rail service. 

Here you can see the table where you can find out the average costs of public transportation in Vancouver city.

BUS AND METRO

ZonesAdultCompass cardConcessions Day passMonthly pass
1 zone$3.05 $2.45$2.00$ 10.75$100.25
2 zones$4.35$3.55$3.00$ 10.75$134
3 zones$5.90$4.60$4.05$ 10.75$181.05

Check details about the costs of translink.

What Are the Public Transit Opening Hours in and around Vancouver?

Answer:The sky train operates between 5:00 am to 1:00 am on Monday to friday. On Saturdays the sky train operates between 6:00 am to 1:00 am and on Sundays between 7:00 am to 1:00 am. The exact time varies by train.

How does public transit work in Vancouver?

Ans: SkyTrain and SeaBus rides required a 1-, 2-, or 3-Zone fare, depending on the time of day and zones travelled. Buses are a one-zone fare, all day, every day. … All journeys starting after 6:30 p.m. (weekdays) and all day on weekends and holidays, across the entire Metro Vancouver region, are a 1-Zone fare.

Public Transit fare prices in Toronto

TTC Fare Prices

TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) runs three modes; 

  1. subway, 
  2. streetcars, 
  3. and buses.

The subway is served by two major lines in Toronto city . 

  1. The Yellow Line (from northern Yonge Street to Union Station, back north once again) 
  2.  Green Line (beginning in the Etobicoke neighbourhood and running through Central Toronto to the Scarborough district).

Here you can see the table where you can find out the average costs of public transportation in Toronto city .

BUS AND METRO

TRANSIT-FARESREGULAR FARESTUDENTS(18+)YOUTH (13-19 YEARS OLD) AND SENIOR (65+)
1 trip$3.25$2.30
1-day pass$13.50
Monthly pass$156$128.15$128.15

Note: There is no fee for children between the ages of 12 and under 12 .Check details here:(*TTC)

What Are the Public Transit Opening Hours in Toronto?

Answer: The metro operates daily between 6:00 am to 2:00 am from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the metro operates between 8:00 am to 2:00 am. The exact time varies by station.

Is transit free in Toronto?

Answer: You pay a single fare for each one-way trip. The same fare covers subways, streetcars, and buses within Toronto city . 

So we can say that one difference between the two is that:

 “ TransLink operates zone-wise and offers a compass card along with concessions. Thus making it cheaper than Toronto Transit Commission .

Know More: Gas Prices In Canada By Province

Cost of Groceries in Vancouver vs Toronto

The cost of groceries is the another important point to choose and consider from these two cities.

Cost of GroceriesVancouverCost of GroceriesToronto
Items (1 kg)PricesItems (1 kg)Prices
Milk (1 Liter)$2.37Milk (1 Liter)$3.90
Loaf of bread$3.20Loaf of bread$2.84
Rice$4.49Rice$3.57
Dozen Eggs$3.97Dozen Eggs$3.40
Local Cheese$17.07Local Cheese$13.64
Chicken$16.39Chicken$13.58
Beef round$22.05Beef round$16.41
Apple$3.82Apple$4.14
Banana$1.74Banana$1.60
Orange$3.77Orange$3.65
Tomato$4.28Tomato$3.66
Potato$3.22Potato$2.92
Onion$3.26Onion$2.50
Head of Lettuce$2.74Head of Lettuce$2.46
Water Bottle 1.5L$2.42Water Bottle 1.5L$2.23
    
Grocery for 1 person$227.35 per month. Grocery for 1 person$283.60 per month.

In the grocery department, Vancouver is affordable around pricing. Because in Vancouver you require 227.35$ per month per person.On the other hand in Toronto you need 283.60$.

Know More: Cost of Buying Food in Canada By Province

What to Do in Vancouver vs Toronto

Are you looking for something exciting to do in Vancouver and Toronto? We got you covered.

Entertainment in Vancouver

Do you want to go outdoors every night ? or want to go for some small outing every day morning or in the afternoon time or on the weekends? For you, Vancouver is the Best place. All Outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, running, skiing, paddling, and diving and all of the entertainment are available in the city centre. You can also drive up to the Sea-to-Sky Highway, hike on the Quarry Rock Hike , and cycle around Central Valley Greenway . So there are a lot of activities for you to experience. However, there are also a lot of activities in the Vancouver city, Like excellent restaurants and art galleries etc .

Best hiking Around Vancouver
  • Capilano Canyon.
  • Grouse Grind.
  • Lighthouse Park.
  • Pacific Spirit Park.
  • Stanley Park.
  • Stawamus Chief.
  • Vancouver Seawall.
Best Cycling Spot Around Vancouver
  • Stanley Park.
  • Sunset Beach – False Creek – Kitsilano Beach.
  • Central Valley Greenway.
  • Queen Elizabeth Park – VanDusen Botanical Gardens.
  • Jericho Beach – UBC – Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

Entertainment in Toronto

If you compare everything between Vancouver and Toronto, then you will be able to understand that Toronto is for the people who want to  enjoy their life from every point . If you love nature, Toronto  is not the ideal city for you. However, there is a beautiful Toronto Music Garden for those kinds of people who love nature.  Excursions up the Humber River and fine dining on the picturesque Humber River are also one  of the favourite activities of people living in Toronto.

In Toronto there is an Art Gallery of Ontario for those people who love arts . In short, Toronto is the biggest city in Canada  with some exciting places for your life.

Best Hikes near Toronto
  1. Nassagaweya Canyon Trail (Rattlesnake Point to Crawford Lake) Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area.
  2. Bruce Trail. Niagara Escarpment.
  3. Dundas Peak Trail. Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.
  4. Scarborough Bluffs Trail. Bluffer’s Park.
  5. Vista Trail.
  6. East Don Parkland.
  7. Lookout and Bruce Trail.
  8. Elora Gorge.

Cost of Entertainment in Vancouver vs Toronto

Cost of Entertainment in VancouverCost of Entertainment in Toronto
Vancouver is an inexpensive city compared to other Canadian cities.The average cost of entertainment in Vancouver  is $244 per capita.Meal at an normal restaurant is for $18.00 A 3-course meal for 2 People at a mid-range restaurant costs $80.00 Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught) is available for $7.2 tickets for the cinema costs $31.Taxi trip on a business day (8 km) costs $15.
Suppose you have four beers, a restaurant trip with friends, two movie visits, and four typical restaurant meals every month. After all Your monthly cost would be around $211.
When it comes to entertainment, Toronto is a city where people never sleep.
The following are the average costs of fun in Toronto:For around $20, you can get a delicious dinner at an inexpensive restaurant.The average cost of a three-course dinner for two people at a mid-range restaurant is $90.$7 for a 0.5-liter draught of domestic beerTwo movie tickets cost $31. A taxi cab ride costs $23 on a typical workday. (8 km)Cocktail drink in the pub: $15Suppose you have four beers, a restaurant trip with friends, two movie visits, and four typical restaurant meals every month. In that case, the average cost would be $230.

The cost of entertainment in Vancouver and Toronto looks the same. However, In Vancouver you can save some more pennies.

Housing in Vancouver vs Toronto

Compared to the average cost of housing in every city in Canada , Toronto and Vancouver are both very expensive places to live, with housing prices and day-to-day costs considered. 

Cost of Housing in Vancouver

Look at the table below to understand the costs of housing in Vancouver.

City DistrictStudio1 Bedroom2 Bedroom3 + Bedroom
Downtown Vancouver$1800$2100$3100$5000
West End$1590$1850$2600$4350
South Granville$1720$2600$3200
Kitsilano/Point Grey$1770$1878$2465$3650
Westside/Kerrisdale$1649$1845$2375$3855
Marpole$1750$1850$2400$2550
Mount Pleasant/Renfrew Heights$1625$2100$2695$4500
East Hastings$1300$1525$1750$2300
North Vancouver$1916$1960$2518$2980
How Much Is a House in Vancouver?

Answer: The average price of a house in Vancouver is $1,211,200.

How do I find housing in Vancouver?

Here are a  lot of websites where you can find a house for you and buy or rent. Here is some of them: Craigslist.

  1. Kijiji.
  2. Apartment Love.
  3. PadMapper.
  4. Rentseeker.
  5. Rentsline.
  6. liv. rent.
  7. Off-Campus Housing 101.

Cost of Housing in Toronto

Look at the table  below. Where you can understand the cost of housing in Toronto, including various apartment types and pricing.

City DistrictStudio1 Bedroom2 Bedroom3 + Bedroom
Liberty Village$1400$1850$2500$4700
Kensington$1525$2350$2400
Parkdale$1295$1563$2099$2897
Yorkville$1525$2069$3600$7800
Runnymede$1498$2200$3525
Riverdale$1550$1915$2450$4025
The Beaches$1288$1695$2450$3850
East Danforth$1295$1550$1860$3250
How Much Is a House in Toronto?

The average price of a house in Toronto is $1,172,900.

After all Housing costs are expensive in both cities (Vancouver and Toronto). However, you can pick cheaper houses .But Vancouver is a little bit reliable from the pricing.You can consider Vancouver about living.

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Job Opportunities in Vancouver vs Toronto

Canada has a low unemployment rate in all of the cities , the British Columbia economy is typically diversified and robust. People work as software developers, accountants, marketers, advertisers, and across various occupations in a variety of businesses in Vancouver. Outside of Vancouver , there are several outdoor employment options for people of all skill levels. Within Canada, the province has one of the most robust and most diversified economies. They have the good number of economic growth.

Economy of Toronto , like Vancouver’s, is also vital. This is due in no small part to diversification. For example, in Toronto, banks and financial organisations have a strong presence. Toronto is located within the main city. While this implies that Toronto has a healthy banking option, it also suggests that Toronto’s primary industries are heavily influenced by finance and banking .If you work in the financial industry of Toronto, then I will be very good for you. However, if you wish to work in other sectors, Vancouver is always a better option.

Keep Reading: How To Become A Diplomat In Canada?

Salary Comparison Vancouver vs Toronto

Here is a quick look at the Salary Comparison Vancouver and Toronto

Average salaryVancouverToronto
Physician$125,146$89,224
Teacher$37,889$40,439
Software Engineer$57,673$57,673
Hardware Engineer$50,582$62,548
Lawyer$54,747$72,036
Sales Manager$53,362$59,519
Architect$50,981$47,727
Accountant$43,096$44,617
Fashion Designer$30,246$39,376
Chef$42,930$31,969

Check this: (* job and sallary compare in vancouver & toronto)

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Cost of Living in Vancouver vs Toronto

It is important to consider how much you will need to spend to live comfortably in a new place. Looking at the table below , you can see that the cost of living in Toronto is very expensive. It has a more expensive average living cost in terms of utilities, transportations, grocery costs, and entertainment. 

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However, if you plan to buy a car, In Vancouver,you will get higher insurance cost compared to Toronto. This is primarily because the province of British Columbia, where Vancouver belongs, has the most expensive car insurance costs. The cost of living in Vancouver is a little bit more comfortable than Toronto.

CategoryVancouverToronto
Housing$1869 for a 1-bedroom apartment$1708 For a 1-bedroom apartment
Housing Utilities and Insurance$149 $215
Transportation$100.25 (Translink)$156 (TCC Pass)
Car Insurance $1832$1528
Entertainment$211$230
Grocery Cost for 1 Person$227.35$283.60
Communication (Phone and Internet)$80 Unlimited talk, text, and data included$80Unlimited talk, text, and data included
Heath and Fitness$55 for the membership$55 for the membership
Provincial TaxesAbout 12%About 13%

The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Vancouver and Toronto

What Is the Biggest Difference Between Vancouver and Toronto?

Here is some big and significant difference between Vancouver and Toronto.

  1. Toronto is in Ontario; Vancouver is in British Columbia.
  2. Toronto is situated near Lake Ontario; Vancouver is a coastal city.
  3. Toronto is the financial center of the country as well as one of the financial centers of the world; Vancouver receives its finances from the forest industry and tourism.
  4. The climates are very different from each other.
  5. People, entertainment, food, languages, cultures, and lifestyles are different.

Where to Live in Vancouver?

LifestyleNeighborhood
Young Professionals and Singles Gastown, Yaletown and Kitsilano
FamiliesMain Street, Olympic Village and Mount Pleasant
StudentsWest End

Where to Live in Toronto?

LifestyleNeighborhood
Young Professionals Yonge-Eglinton, Liberty Village and King West. 
FamiliesLeslieville, Allenby and Deer Park.
StudentsHarbourfront, Cabbagetown and Church-Wellesley. 

Is Tax Cheaper in Vancouver vs. Toronto?

Income tax rates in Vancouver (British Columbia)

Applicable tax on the taxable income includes:

  • 5.06% on the first $42,184 of taxable income.
  • 7.7% on the next $42,185 and over.
  • 10.5% on the next $12,497 and over.
  • 12.29% on the next $20,757 and over.
  • 14.7% on the next $41,860 and over.
  • 16.8% on the next $62,937 and over.
  • 20.5% on the amount over $222,420.

Income tax rates in Toronto (Ontario)

Applicable tax on the taxable income includes:

  • 5.05% on the first $45,142 of taxable income.
  • 9.15% on the next $45,145 and over.
  • 11.16% on the next $59,713 and over.
  • 12.16% on the next $70,000 and over.
  • 13.16 % on the amount over $220,000.

Federal tax rates

The federal tax rate is the same in Vancouver and in Toronto. Applicable tax on the taxable income includes:

  • 15% on the first $49,020 of taxable income, plus
  • 20.5% on the next $49,020 of the taxable income (on the portion of taxable income over 49,020 up to $98,040), plus
  • 26% on the next $53,939 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income over $98,040 up to $151,978), plus
  • 29% on the next $64,533 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income over 151,978 up to $216,511), plus 
  • 33% of taxable income over $216,511

Sales tax rates in Vancouver

There are three types of sales taxes in Canada. In the province of British Columbia, they have PST and GST that are set at about 7% and 5% respectively, coming to a total of 12%. 

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Sales tax rates in Toronto

There are three types of sales taxes in Canada. In Ontario, they have HST which is set at about 13%. 

Taxable income is a little bit higher in Vancouver but the sales tax rate is a little bit lower compared to Toronto.

Conclusion

Both cities are major cities in Canada and therefore the two cities offer a lot of opportunities and activities. Even if the two cities are expensive, the cost of living in Vancouver is a little bit lower compared to the cost of living in Toronto.  However, Vancouver would be the better choice for you if you are a nature lover. It all depends on your preferences.

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