Live and Work in Toronto, Canada

October 10, 2023

Sinethemba Phongolo

Toronto, Ontario is The biggest and most popular city in Canada. Situated on the northwestern shores of Lake Ontario, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) constitutes a massive 6,202,225 people, according to Statistics Canada. This represents nearly 17% of Canada’s national population.

Due to these figures, you may ask yourself why so many people choose to live and work in Canada. By exploring Toronto's living and working conditions, you can find a fairly comprehensive answer to this question.

Curious to explore what living and working in Canada is like? Discover why so many immigrants choose to live and work in Toronto, Canada!

Living in Toronto

Before deciding to live in Toronto, you must understand the living conditions of Canada’s largest metropolis. This includes the cost of living, safety, security, and the various aspects of city life, such as entertainment, outdoor activities, and relations among the city’s demographics. Firstly, let’s take a look at Toronto’s cost of living.

Cost of Living in Toronto

Living in Toronto comes with a certain cost, and it is important to be prepared for it. The average cost of living in Toronto is dependent on factors such as:

Accommodation
Transportation
Healthcare
Education

According to numbeo.com, the estimated average monthly cost of living for a family of four in Toronto is 5,822.40 CAD. This is lower than Vancouver’s estimated average monthly cost of living for a family of four of 5,903.30 CAD, according to numbeo.com. Let’s dive deeper into the cost of living in Toronto by looking at its accommodation costs.

Accommodation

Finding suitable accommodation in Toronto can be a challenging task due to high demand and limited availability.

Renting an apartment in the city center can be expensive. Still, there are more affordable options available on the outskirts of the city, such as:

Type of Accommodation	Average Monthly Cost (CAD)
1 Bedroom apartment (Inside City Centre)	2,578.91
1 Bedroom apartment (Outside City Centre)	2,302.02
3 Bedroom apartment (Inside City Centre)	4,244.44
3 Bedroom apartment (Outside City Centre)	3,448.28

If you want to become a homeowner in Toronto, ensure you set aside 1,141,400 CAD, the average home price in the Greater Toronto Area as of August 2023 according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

Transport

Toronto has an extensive public transportation system that makes it easy to get around the city. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates

Buses,
Taxis,
Streetcars,
Trams, and
Subways.

The cost of public transportation in Toronto is relatively affordable. The table below represents common transportation costs in Toronto according to numbeo.com.

Transportation Costs	Average Monthly Cost (CAD)
One Way ticket for local transport	3.35
Regular Price for a Monthly Pass	156.00
1 liter of Gasoline	1.64
Normal Tariff for a 1km Taxi Ride	33.00

Furthermore, the city has a well-developed network of bike lanes and paths, making cycling a popular mode of transportation for many residents.

Healthcare

Canada is known for its excellent universal healthcare system, and Toronto is no exception. The city has a wide range of healthcare facilities, including:

Hospitals,
Clinics,
Treatment centers, and
Specialized medical centers

If you’re a newcomer to Toronto with more than three months of permanent residency you are entitled to some of the following healthcare services provided by Toronto Public Health.

Dental care
Sexual health
Tuberculosis (TB) medical surveillance for newcomers
Immunization Services for children aged 4 - 17

The Ontario Healthcare Insurance Plan (OHIP) is a healthcare insurance plan that provides cover to permanent residents and citizens in Ontario. It covers services such as:

Doctor visits
Hospital visits and stays
Medical or surgical abortions
Ambulance services
Eligible optometry or dental surgery

Please Note

It is advisable to have private health insurance to cover additional expenses and services not covered by the public system. This includes:

Vision care
Prescription drugs
Ambulance services
Independent living (home care)

Learn more about how you can immigrate to Canada as a healthcare worker.

Education

Toronto offers a diverse range of educational opportunities, from primary and secondary schools to colleges and universities. The foremost organizations responsible for primary/elementary and secondary education in Toronto include:

If your children have not yet become permanent residents, you may need to pay the following primary and secondary education costs in Toronto as per information received from Educanada.ca.

Type of Primary or Secondary School in Toronto	Average Annual Fees (CAD)
Public Schools	9,500 > 17,000
Private or Independent Day Schools	15,000 > 30,000
Private or Independent Boarding Schools	63,000 > 83,000

Additionally, there are several prestigious universities and colleges in Toronto. Among these, the University of Toronto and York University rank in the top 500 of Times Higher Education’s (THE) World University Rankings list. Set aside the following amount of money to study in Toronto’s higher education system. Figures obtained from Educanada.ca.

Type of Higher Education Study Program in Toronto	Average Annual Fees (CAD)
College and Vocational Instiutions	7,000 > 22,000
University Undergraduate Studies	36,100
University Postgraduate Studies	21,100

To study in Toronto, you must learn how to apply for a Student Visa in Canada.

Safety in Toronto

When considering living in a new city, safety is a top priority for many individuals and families. Toronto is generally considered a safe city with a moderate crime index of 47.30, according to numbeo.com.

Safest Neighborhoods

Toronto has several neighborhoods known for their safety and low crime rates. Some of the safest neighborhoods in the city include:

Edenbridge-Humber Valley,
Humber Heights-Westmount,
The Kingsway,
Yonge-St.Clair, and
Forest Hill South

These neighborhoods offer a sense of community, excellent schools, and a low incidence of crime.

City Life in Toronto

Toronto is a city that never sleeps, offering a wide range of entertainment options and activities for residents and visitors alike. The city's vibrant culture, diverse population, and thriving arts scene make it an exciting place to live.

Entertainment

Toronto is known for its lively entertainment scene, with theaters, concert halls, and music venues hosting a wide range of performances throughout the year. The city is home to the Toronto International Film Festival, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious film festivals.

Other notable entertainment events that you can look forward to in Canada include:

Outdoor Activities

Despite being a bustling metropolis, Toronto also offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. High Park, located at the city's west end, is a popular destination for picnics, hiking, and exploring nature trails. Toronto’s waterfront is another attractive area, offering beautiful views of Lake Ontario and recreational activities such as sailing, kayaking, and cycling along the waterfront trails.

Multiculturalism

One of the defining characteristics of Toronto is its multiculturalism. The city has a diverse population, with residents worldwide, creating a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions. The city is the second most diverse city in the world, with 49 % of residents of the city being foreign-born according to the World Population Review.

Toronto celebrates diversity through various cultural festivals, events, and neighborhoods. From Chinatown to Little Italy, becoming a Toronto resident allows you to experience different cuisines, customs, and celebrations from around the globe.

Working in Toronto

Toronto is home to numerous multinational companies, financial institutions, and technology startups, making it an attractive destination for professionals seeking career growth and development.

Employment in Toronto

Employment in Toronto can be broken down as follows. All figures obtained from the Toronto Employment Survey.

The total number of jobs in Toronto is 1,484,600
Office employment is the largest employment category in Toronto, with slightly over half (50.3%) of the city’s employed population engaged in office work
Employment in the city is concentrated in downtown Toronto, with 638,810 individuals employed in this area of Toronto
The leading employment sector in Toronto is manufacturing with 77, 850 employed individuals

Minimum Wage and Job Vacancies in Toronto

The minimum wage in Toronto is 16.55 CAD per hour according to the Canadian government and the number of job vacancies in Toronto is 22,670 according to Canada’s Job Bank.

How Can I Work in Toronto?

You may find navigating the process of how you can work in Toronto to be challenging. The video below presents an easy-to-follow step-by-step process of working in Canada.

Why Work in Toronto?

There are several reasons why working in Toronto can be an attractive prospect. Among the most prominent of these reasons includes:

Higher Salaries Compared to Other Canadian Cities

Toronto consistently offers higher salaries compared to other major Canadian cities. This is due to the city's thriving economy and numerous multinational companies. According to numbeo.com, the average monthly net salary in Toronto is 4,658.07 CAD.

Toronto is Canada's Commercial and Financial Hub

As Canada's commercial and financial hub, Toronto is home to numerous multinational companies, banks, and financial institutions. This makes the city an attractive destination for professionals seeking employment in these industries. The job market in Toronto is diverse, with opportunities in

Finance,
Marketing,
Technology, and
Professional services

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) contributes 20 % of Canada’s national GDP according to Statistics Canada, providing proof its dominance over Canada’s economy.

Proximity to New York, United States (US)

Another advantage of working in Toronto is its proximity to New York, United States (US). The two cities are located relatively close to each other (average 2 hours trip by car), making it easy to facilitate commercial and human migration. This symbiotic relationship results in a high-value exchange of trade, skills, and ideas, boosting the economies of both major cities.

Toronto is Canada’s Leading Technological Hub

Toronto is known for its thriving technology sector, making it an ideal destination for tech professionals. The city is home to numerous tech companies, startups, and innovation hubs, offering many job opportunities. Leading home-grown tech companies in Toronto that provide opportunities for tech workers include:

For those looking to immigrate to Toronto and live in Canada, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program offers a potential pathway.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is a provincial nominee program that allows skilled foreign workers, international students, and other immigrants with the skills and experience needed in Ontario to apply for permanent residency.

The program has several streams catering to different qualifications and circumstances. Examples include the:

International Students Stream,
Foreign Workers Stream,
Human Capital Priorities Stream, and
Entrepreneur Stream

Find out more about how to qualify for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

FAQs

Can I Move to Toronto With My Family?

Yes, you can move to Toronto with your family. The city offers a range of family-friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a high standard of healthcare. Toronto is known for its multiculturalism, making it an inclusive and welcoming city for families from diverse backgrounds.

What is the Climate Like in Toronto?

Toronto experiences a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Summers in Toronto are generally hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching above 30 degrees Celsius. Winters can be cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing and occasional snowfall.