Cost of living in Kitchener-Waterloo (Canada) is 33% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada)
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Food | - 24% | |||
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Food in Kitchener-Waterloo (Canada) is 24% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kitchener-Waterloo | Toronto | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | C$23 | C$28 | - 18% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | C$12 | C$15 | - 20% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | C$6 | C$10 | - 40% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | C$3.59 | C$3.97 | - 10% | |
12 eggs, large | C$4.03 | C$6 | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | C$5.14 | C$5.71 | - 10% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | C$8 | C$13 | - 44% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | C$4.04 | C$5.39 | - 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | C$2.64 | C$4.61 | - 43% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | C$3.58 | C$3.39 | + 5% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | C$15 | C$22 | - 29% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | C$2.61 | C$3.32 | - 21% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | C$1.67 | C$2.73 | - 39% | |
Housing | - 37% | |||
Housing in Kitchener-Waterloo (Canada) is 37% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kitchener-Waterloo | Toronto | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | C$2,271 | C$3,514 | - 35% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | C$1,690 | C$2,780 | - 39% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | C$203 | C$233 | - 13% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | C$1,381 | C$2,780 | - 50% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | C$1,054 | C$2,235 | - 53% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | C$155 | C$147 | + 5% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | C$57 | C$64 | - 11% | |
40” flat screen tv | C$344 | C$488 | - 30% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | C$121 | C$172 | - 30% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | C$10 | C$16 | - 35% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | C$22 | C$30 | - 27% | |
Clothes | - 31% | |||
Clothes in Kitchener-Waterloo (Canada) is 31% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kitchener-Waterloo | Toronto | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | C$54 | C$76 | - 29% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | C$40 | C$56 | - 29% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | C$102 | C$133 | - 23% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | C$106 | C$209 | - 49% | |
Transportation | - 35% | |||
Transportation in Kitchener-Waterloo (Canada) is 35% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kitchener-Waterloo | Toronto | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | C$24,467 | C$33,085 | - 26% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | C$1.60 | C$1.47 | + 9% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | C$92 | C$162 | - 43% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | C$29 | C$25 | + 18% | |
Personal Care | - 38% | |||
Personal Care in Kitchener-Waterloo (Canada) is 38% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kitchener-Waterloo | Toronto | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | C$12 | C$16 | - 27% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | C$14 | C$39 | - 63% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | C$74 | C$94 | - 21% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | C$13 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | C$5.28 | C$9 | - 41% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | C$4.87 | C$9 | - 46% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | - | C$4.56 | - | |
Tube of toothpaste | C$2.71 | C$5.11 | - 47% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | C$22 | C$39 | - 44% | |
Entertainment | - 30% | |||
Entertainment in Kitchener-Waterloo (Canada) is 30% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kitchener-Waterloo | Toronto | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | C$47 | C$82 | - 42% | |
2 tickets to the movies | C$28 | C$36 | - 21% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | C$289 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | C$89 | C$162 | - 45% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | C$11 | C$16 | - 34% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | C$4.79 | C$7 | - 27% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | C$7 | C$10 | - 30% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | C$569 | C$728 | - 22% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | C$0.33 | C$0.34 | - 6% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | C$39 | C$72 | - 46% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | C$14 | C$17 | - 18% | |
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TOTAL | - 33% |

These prices were last updated on March 25, 2025.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require C$9,900 in Toronto you would need to make just about C$6,645 in Kitchener-Waterloo.
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