Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toronto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
11% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Toronto | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,375 | $2,656 | -11% |
| Groceries | $450 | $550 | -18% |
| Utilities | $220 | $320 | -31% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $200 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $3,265 | $3,876 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toronto delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toronto is estimated at
$75,000 vs $100,000 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Toronto | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,205 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 108,008 idx | 49,342 idx |
| Household Income | $70,325 | $90,757 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Los Angeles has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 90.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 61.0/10 | 68.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 70.00 | 75.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Toronto.
From a growth perspective, Toronto is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Toronto | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,358,275 | 3,869,089 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.64% | % |
| Median Age | 37.0 | |
| Unemployment | 8.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $760.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto General Hospital ranked as the second-best hospital globally in 2026, highlighting world-class healthcare.
The city boasts a high transit score of 90 and is ranked #1 in Canada for public transportation, with fare capping coming in September 2026.
Homicides in Toronto plummeted by approximately 55% in 2025, contributing to a high safety score of 84.
Toronto is a highly multicultural city, making it easy for immigrants to integrate and contributing to a vibrant community.
The city's population is projected to grow by 2.64% in 2026, indicating strong demographic momentum.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with a cost of living index of 67.5 relative to New York City (100).
The unemployment rate in Toronto was 8.2% in May 2026, which is higher than the national average.
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,097 USD and a 2-bedroom is $2,700 USD as of May 2026, indicating high housing costs.
The average commute time is around 35 minutes, and the city experiences chronic traffic congestion.
Childcare costs are very expensive, posing a significant financial burden for families.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Toronto
#1Ontario, Canada
83.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,375
Avg Salary
$70,205
Cost Index
65
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
90.0/10
Walkability
61.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.64%
Unemployment
8.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
Los Angeles
#8California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
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