Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary: What a Month Actually Costs
Honest monthly numbers for a single person and a family of four in Canada's three biggest urban moves for newcomers.
Single person, modest lifestyle
Toronto: $3,200–$3,800/month all-in (1-bed rental in a transit-friendly area, transit pass, groceries, phone, basic utilities). Vancouver: $3,100–$3,700. Calgary: $2,400–$2,900. Calgary's cost advantage is real, but salaries often follow the same gap.
Family of four, two-bedroom
Toronto: $6,500–$8,000/month before childcare. Vancouver: $6,300–$7,800. Calgary: $4,800–$6,000. Childcare is the wildcard — Quebec's subsidized model and federal $10/day rollout change the picture significantly depending on availability in your neighbourhood.
What these numbers don't include
Car ownership ($600–$900/month all-in if you finance), private health/dental top-ups, savings, and any travel. Build your real budget by adding these on top of the essentials estimate.
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