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Find out all the tips and information about moving costs, living and visas when moving to Toronto, Canada.
Ranking as one of the best cities to live in, with an international environment, and a good quality of life, moving to Toronto can be worth it. However, it will depend on your priorities and budget.
| N⁰ Bedrooms | Average Cost |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,375 – $4,215 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,825 – $4,700 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,500 – $5,620 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $4,950 – $6,185 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $7,500 – $9,375 |
These prices are estimates. Costs can vary according to the season, volume, distance, and other factors.
To find affordable moving companies to Toronto, you can follow some tips:
To work and live in Toronto, you will need a visa. You may need to follow different processes depending on your circumstances, but for most of them, you will need to gather: a valid passport, certificates (birth, education, marriage, etc.), proof of funds, and criminal record.
These most common ways to immigrate to Toronto as a US citizen to work:
To learn more on how to immigrate to Toronto, visit the immigration page of the Government of Canada.
Make sure to establish the following before leaving the US and once you arrive in Toronto:
Once you’ve done your research and know which visa you’re eligible for, it’s time to apply for it. Once submitted, the process can take some time, so be patient! If it’s approved, you’ll receive a letter which you’ll need to present on your arrival day.
Once in Toronto, make sure to apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to be able to work and receive benefits from the government.
You’ll need your valid passport, work permit, proof of address, SIN, and some proof of funds to be able to create an account. Many Canadian banks have branches in the US, so you may consider one of the following: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Bank of Montreal (BMO), or TD Bank.
Toronto counts on a universal healthcare system called, like in the US, Medicare. Although called the same, the system works differently, as you’ll have coverage for essential medical services such as hospitals, doctor visits, and diagnostic tests.
As a US Citizen, you can access the public program after living in Ontario for at least 3 months. You can also opt for private health insurance, to cover the services not included and avoid long waiting times for non-urgent consultancies.
Renting in Toronto can cost you around $2,200 in the city center and $1,800 in a suburban area.
Overall, accommodation is quite expensive, and the housing market is competitive. It is recommended to do some research with time and try to find temporary accommodation to secure a place to live. You can start searching through some websites like Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace.
As an American who’s going to live in Toronto, we advise you to:
Toronto is a huge center of cultural diversity with stunning nature and a young spirit. Overall, living in the US is more expensive than in Canada, but it can depend on your location.
Overall, living costs in Toronto are 17% lower than in Chicago, the US. Check out the following comparison table with daily prices in both cities:
| Metric | Chicago, US | Toronto, Canada |
| Eggs (12) | 3.87 $ | 3.57 $ |
| Restaurant Meal | 47 $ | 40 $ |
| Cappuccino | 5.20 $ | 3.95 $ |
| Single transport ticket | 2.50 $ | 2.40 $ |
| Basic utilities | 160 $ | 125 $ |
Source: Numbeo
Toronto is a major city in Canada so the prices can be higher than in other regions, as well as in Vancouver. Nevertheless, living costs in Vancouver are 7% higher than in Toronto. Your expenses will also depend on your house unit:
| House Unit | Average Cost |
| Single Person | $2,800 |
| Family of 4 | $6,400 |
Whether Toronto is a good place to live or not will depend on your priorities, but this breakdown with some pros and cons may help you decide:
If you’re moving with your dog to Toronto, it must follow some requirements that will depend on their age:
Other pets like cats or ferrets will only need the rabies certification. Find all the information on Pet travel from the United States to Canada.
Toronto is a family-friendly city with high-quality education centers and safe neighborhoods to live in. Depending on your budget and lifestyle, you may choose different areas, some nice suburbs and neighborhoods include Riverdale, Leslieville, North York, or Lawrence Park.
Make sure that one of the first things you do when arriving is registering your kids to a school. Public schools are prioritized by your living area, but you can decide to bring them somewhere else. Private schools are also available but keep in mind they are expensive.
The city has a strong economy, with many job opportunities for employment in diverse sectors. Having expertise and qualifying for the following industries can be key to making the job-finding process easier:
