Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Calgary
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Calgary is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
38% higher compared to Toronto.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
43% higher than Calgary's.
| Metric | Toronto | Calgary | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,686 | $1,177 | +43% |
| Groceries | $353 | $268 | +32% |
| Utilities | $155 | $125 | +24% |
| Transport | $92 | $90 | +2% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $71 | +41% |
| Monthly Total | $2,386 | $1,731 | +38% |
| Cost Index | 71 | 65 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Calgary offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Calgary delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toronto is estimated at
$55,013 vs $46,129 in Calgary.
| Metric | Toronto | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,898 | $53,505 |
| Salary Needed | $55,013 | $46,129 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,504 idx | 82,315 idx |
| Household Income | $59,245 | $69,893 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Calgary has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toronto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 71.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 125.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toronto is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Calgary.
From a growth perspective, Toronto is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Calgary has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Toronto | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,025,647 | 1,600,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.90% | 2.53% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 8.90% | 6.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada and the U.S. for the second consecutive year, with its population surging by 3.9% between July 2023 and July 2024.
The city is a major business hub with a strong job market, particularly in high-demand fields like technology (fintech, AI) and healthcare.
Toronto boasts a highly diverse and multicultural population, with over half of its residents born outside of Canada, contributing to a rich cultural landscape.
The public transit system (TTC) is comprehensive, offering extensive subway, streetcar, and bus networks for easy navigation without a car.
Toronto offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse culinary options, and numerous parks and green spaces for a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center around $1,479 USD per month as of July 2026.
The unemployment rate in Toronto was elevated at 8.9% in September 2025, higher than both provincial and national averages.
The housing market faces significant affordability challenges, with average home prices reaching $1.05 million CAD in July 2024.
Rapid population growth has strained transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion and longer commute times, averaging 32 minutes.
Despite job growth, the influx of workers has outpaced job absorption in some sectors, contributing to the higher unemployment rate.
Calgary
Advantages
Calgary has a high median household after-tax income compared to other major Canadian cities, at $107,400 CAD (2021 Census).
The city's Crime Severity Index fell to a near historic low of 61.7 in 2025, well below the national average.
Calgary's tech ecosystem is experiencing rapid growth, expanding at four times the Canadian average since 2021.
Alberta has the lowest provincial tax rate nationally, with no provincial sales tax or land transfer tax, making everyday purchases and homeownership more affordable.
Calgary offers a high quality of life, with 78% of residents rating it as good or excellent in 2025.
Drawbacks
Despite overall safety, property crime remains a significant concern in Calgary, with 51,999 incidents in 2025.
Calgary is largely a car-dependent city, with an average Walk Score of 39, indicating that most errands require a car.
The unemployment rate in Calgary was 6.8% in December 2025, which, while improved, remains a factor for job seekers.
Only 10% of Calgarians live within walking distance of fast and frequent public transit service, limiting car-free convenience.
Rising housing costs, including rent and home purchase prices, continue to be an important consideration for residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Toronto
#13Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,686
Avg Salary
$52,898
Cost Index
71
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
78.0/10
Walkability
71.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.90%
Unemployment
8.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
Calgary
#6Alberta, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,177
Avg Salary
$53,505
Cost Index
65
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.53%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
78
Business
80
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