location_city BC vs location_city ON

Nanaimo vs Toronto Cost of Living (2026)

Toronto is about 40% more expensive than Nanaimo, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $2,600 a month in Toronto vs $1,800 in Nanaimo.

The Verdict

Living in Toronto is 40% more expensive than living in Nanaimo overall.

Nanaimo / month

$2,310

Toronto / month

$3,206

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Your salary in Nanaimo $

Salary in Nanaimo

$100,000

Take-home $75,373 · $6,281/mo

Needed in Toronto

$140,441

Take-home $98,910 · $8,243/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in Toronto you'd need $40,441 more a year (+40%).

Take-home is after 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP/QPP and EI for an employee. Cost of living weighs rent, groceries and transit.

real_estate_agent

1-Bed City Center

Nanaimo

$1,800

44% more expensive

Toronto

$2,600

shopping_cart

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Nanaimo

$420

7% more expensive

Toronto

$450

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Monthly Transit Pass

Nanaimo

$90

73% more expensive

Toronto

$156

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