Toronto Vs Vancouver: The Best City to Live in 2024
Canada’s finest, the two powerhouses of a city, Toronto and Vancouver, have always been the destination for many people. Their eccentric blend of cultures, beautiful landmarks, and living standards make these two towns a great choice for settling and growing roots. But which is better? Toronto vs Vancouver?
Picking the right city for you depends on multiple elements that you’ll have to consider. We’ll delve deeper into this multifaceted discussion of Toronto vs Vancouver to see what each city provides and how they stack against each other.
Toronto Vs Vancouver; Battle of Giants
Choosing your next home between the two metropolises relies on a handful of criteria. From fundamental factors like the healthcare and housing markets to recreational aspects like the entertainment and culinary aspects, you’d make a better decision knowing the little differences and nuances between the two cities.
The following are the main points you should take into account before making a decision:
Public Transportation in Toronto Vs Vancouver
One of the main aspects of living in a big city is public transportation. Both Toronto and Vancouver have great public transportation systems. The Toronto Transit Commission, also known as the TTC, takes care of the city with three modes of transportation: subway, buses, and streetcars. The subway consists of yellow and green lines covering different parts of the city.
The average cost of public transportation in Toronto is as follows:
- Single ticket (PRESTO one-ride ticket): $3.35
- Daily pass (PRESTO day pass ticket): $13.50
- Monthly Pass: $156
On the other hand, Vancouver’s TransLink, as the name suggests, links up Metro Vancouver’s Skytrain routes, SeaBus services, different bus lines, and West Coast Express commuter train service. This city-wide web makes it easy for commuters to visit different parts of the city.
The average cost of public transportation in Vancouver is as follows:
- 1-Zone (Single ticket): $3.15
- 2-Zone (Single ticket): $4.55
- 3-Zone (Single ticket): $6.20
- Daily pass (All Zones): $11.25
- Monthly pass (1-Zone): $104.90
Housing Markets in Toronto Vs Vancouver
Both cities have an abundance of housing opportunities, from studio apartments and condos to big houses suitable for families. However, finding a reasonably priced house could be hard in the current market climate.
Depending on where the market is, your future plans, and how solid your financial resources are, you can decide whether you want to buy or rent a house.
The average price of a house to buy in Toronto is $1.1 million, while Vancouver’s average sits at $1.2 million. The median price of a 1-bed apartment in Toronto is $2280, which is $2240 for Vancouver.
You can also find many studio apartments in Toronto for a short-term rental. These studios are mostly located in downtown Toronto, making it much easier for you to navigate the city or reach Financial District, where most businesses are set.
Aside from the financial aspect, if you like the natural scenery, Vancouver might be the choice for you. If you like a lively and sparkly atmosphere, Toronto can be the superior choice.
Cost of Living in Vancouver Vs Toronto
One of the most essential criteria you must consider when choosing a city is its living expenses. Considering the same standard of living for both cities, the cost of living in Toronto is slightly lower. Accordingly, Toronto is 3.1% cheaper than Vancouver (rent excluded). If we factor in the rent, Toronto will be 5.4% cheaper than Vancouver.
Additionally, grocery prices in Toronto are 11.7% lower than in Vancouver. However, Toronto has a 1.5% higher restaurant price compared to Vancouver. Statistically, you would need approximately $8987 in Toronto to sustain a living standard that you would have with $9500 in Vancouver.
Employment Prospects in Toronto Vs Vancouver
As the two biggest cities in Canada, Toronto and Vancouver offer the biggest job market in the nation. Countless positions go to residents or commuters each year in both cities. Toronto is the country’s financial capital, offering many opportunities in the economic and banking sector.
If you are new to Toronto, there are different methods that can help you find a job in Toronto, from joining different communities to creating an appealing resume.
Vancouver has a more diverse market, and many more positions are available in areas other than the finance section. According to statistics, the average monthly net salary in Toronto is $4,918, whereas in Vancouver, it’s $4676.
Education in Toronto Vs. Vancouver
The educational system in both cities is the finest in the country. From elementary school to university level, Vancouver and Toronto’s academic system has been proven to be elite. Toronto has a variety of school boards catering to the needs of different audiences, from the French-speaking folk to the Catholic crowd.
However, Vancouver has one unified schooling system, providing high-quality education to everyone across the board.
When it comes to post-secondary education, the top institutions in the country belong to Vancouver or Toronto. Toronto’s big three, the University of Toronto, Metropolitan University (AKA Ryerson), and York University, attract many students from all over the nation and worldwide.
Vancouver’s top universities, the Univesity of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, rank in the top 5 Canadian institutions. They offer some of the best programs available in the academic world.
Overall, Toronto has a higher number of universities and institutions than Vancouver. So, finding a program might be easier for you in Toronto.
Healthcare in Vancouver Vs. Toronto
The healthcare in both provinces is structured the same, more or less. In Toronto, most healthcare services fall under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan provided to permanent residents. You’ll have access to many free services the OHIP provides if you show your Ontario health card.
However, if you are not an Ontario resident and don’t possess a health card, you would need to pay for any services offered to you. Besides, some services are not free even under the provision of the OHIP. These services include dental care, vision care, a variety of medications, and ambulance rides.
British Columbia’s healthcare system, known as the Medical Services Plan (MSP), takes care of the Vancouver residents. The rules of MSP resemble those of the OHIP, and you need to show an ID card to access free services. Additionally, just like in Toronto, this plan does not support dental and vision care and ambulance rides.
Toronto Weather vs Vancouver Weather
Canada has always been known as a cold country; however, the weather on the east side differs from that on the west. Toronto leans more towards the extremes. It experiences colder winters and hotter summers.
Toronto experiences temperatures as low as -7°C and as high as 27 °C year round. Whereas Vancouver sees numbers as low as -3°C and as high as 22°C.
All in all, Vancouver’s weather is milder than Toronto’s, and if you’re not compatible with harsher weather, you might enjoy Vancouver’s climate more.
Toronto Vs Vancouver Population
As of 2024, Toronto’s population is estimated at 6,431,430. It is the largest city in the world and has the highest population in Canada, accordingly. In the last year, it has seen a 0.93% growth, adding 59,472 residents to the population.
On the other side, the population of Vancouver is estimated at 2,682,509. Vancouver has also experienced an increase in the number of its residents, with a 0.96% growth rate, adding 25,421 to the mix.
Entertainment in Toronto Vs Vancouver
If you prefer big city vibes, with many exhibitions and festivals, Toronto is a great choice. The nightlife in Toronto is immaculate. Also, if you’re into art and history, there are many art galleries and museums in Toronto to visit. The Royal Ontario Museum and the Museum of Illusions Toronto are two examples of many great museums in Toronto.
There are also other attractions like the Toronto Music Garden, where you can experience the true magic that the blend of nature and music offers. If you’re big on nature, Toronto might not be your optimal choice.
Vancouver is the place for you if outdoor activities are your forte. You can find them all near the city center if you’re into physical activities like hiking, running, biking, or skiing. You can also visit Stanley Park, which has beautiful scenery.
Having said that, Vancouver is also full of indoor activities. Many great festivals take place in Vancouver each year, and it also has great galleries and art exhibitions in the heart of the city.
You can’t go wrong with either city when it comes to being entertained.
Culinary Scene of Vancouver and Toronto
Toronto and Vancouver are both foodie cities, offering a diverse culinary scene. Vancouver is known for its vast seafood options. Sitting beside the Pacific Ocean helps the city to have great seafood resources. Besides that, the city also has many great restaurants from different cultures, and many food festivals take place in Vancouver.
Toronto offers a bigger and more diverse market. The cultural mesh that Toronto has is among the best in the world. Different areas like Chinatown, Little India, Little Italy, and Koreatown are some of the places you can find authentic food.
Both cities are filled with top-tier Michelin-starred restaurants for posh events, as well as daily markets like St. Lawrence Market, which you can visit.
Cultural Vibrancy in Vancouver Vs. Toronto
Toronto and Vancouver are the two most multicultural cities in Canada. However, if we had to choose one city to be more culturally inclusive and diverse, Toronto would be the winner.
Toronto is known to be the most multicultural town in the world, so it goes without saying that if you’re looking for a city with a bigger mix of people, this is the best choice for you.
Conclusion
Picking between Toronto Vs Vancouver comes down to what you like, what’s important to you, and which city suits your current status. Both cities offer great living conditions and enough to meet your standards.
Regardless of whether you choose Vancouver or Toronto, you will have a great experience living in either of them.
FAQs
1. Is Vancouver More Expensive Than Toronto?
Depending on what type of lifestyle you engage in, the outcomes might differ. As it stands, both cities are quite expensive to live in. However, the housing market in Vancouver is more expensive than in Toronto right now. Other living costs, like groceries and utilities, can sometimes fluctuate.
2. Is Vancouver Safer Than Toronto?
Currently, despite the rise in crime rates, Vancouver is safer than Toronto. Both cities are among the safest cities in the world. However, Vancouver has a higher safety index by a small margin.
3. Which City Has a Higher Tax Rate?
Overall, Toronto has a higher tax rate than Vancouver. They operate under different tax systems, but they have the same structural progressive tax system, where you’ll have to pay a higher percentage of tax the higher your income becomes. However, Vancouver’s tax numbers start at a lower rate.
Additionally, the tax on goods and services is 13% for Toronto and 12% for Vancouver.
