Toronto vs Vancouver | Which City Is Better to Live In?

Toronto is Canada’s most populous city, and Vancouver is the third most populous. Toronto also covers 2.5 times the area of Vancouver, and about 6 million people live in its metropolitan area.

The People

Toronto draws people from more than 200 countries and is said to be the most multicultural city in the world. This diversity shows in Toronto’s many festivals and cultural events, and in ethnic neighbourhoods such as Little Italy, Koreatown and Little India.

In Vancouver, meanwhile, more than half of the population speaks a language other than English as their first language. Also, because it faces the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is more strongly influenced by East Asia than Toronto, and Indigenous culture is also widely present.

Lifestyle

As Canada’s financial and cultural centre, Toronto is a big city with plenty of options for dining, shopping and entertainment. For people who love an urban feel and atmosphere, Toronto is the perfect city.

Vancouver is ideal for people who prefer a more laid-back, health- and nature-oriented, somewhat hippie-style city. It also offers opportunities to grow in a number of industries and sectors.

Toronto: City Life and Plenty of Entertainment

Toronto is recommended for people who enjoy urban living. There are chances to enjoy the outdoors and nature in Toronto too, but you need to drive somewhere away from the city to do so. In the countryside of Ontario you can enjoy cross-country skiing, skating, snowmobiling, canoeing and more. Because the area is surrounded by lakes, people in Toronto often go away to cottages overnight on long weekends.

Vancouver: Nature Close at Hand and Great Outdoor Activities

Vancouver has all the comforts you would expect in a big city, plus some unique features. For example, just a 30-minute drive from downtown you can go skiing or kayaking, and there are 10 golf courses within 30 minutes of home. All kinds of activities, including hiking, cycling, canoeing and diving, are possible close to downtown. So if you want to work in the city while enjoying an outdoor lifestyle on weekday evenings and weekends, Vancouver is the perfect place.

At the same time, there are also many city-based activities, such as great restaurants, festivals and art galleries. Still, it is fair to say that Vancouver’s real appeal lies outside the city rather than in it. Being able to fully enjoy outdoor activities on a day trip is a major attraction.

Toronto: Big Temperature Swings

Temperatures in Toronto vary widely, so summers are hotter and winters are colder than in Vancouver. Winter temperatures in Toronto can drop as low as -35°C, while summers are around 35°C and humid. Toronto is also hit by heavy snowfall and ice storms.

Vancouver: Mild and Rainy

Vancouver, by contrast, has mild winters of 0–4°C and summers of 25–30°C. In winter there can be a lot of rain, and stretches of cloudy, gloomy weather. Every year there are also a few days when the rain turns to snow. Because the city is not used to snow, snowfall can disrupt traffic and close schools.

Minimum Wage

Minimum wages in Canada are high compared to Japan. As of September 2026, the general minimum hourly wage in Ontario, where Toronto is located, is $17.60 (rising to $17.95 on October 1, 2026). Meanwhile, the general minimum hourly wage in British Columbia, where Vancouver is located, is $18.25 (since June 1, 2026).

*Both provinces raise their minimum wages every year in line with inflation (Ontario on October 1 and British Columbia on June 1).

Average Wages

You can see the average wage for each occupation in each city on the Canada Job Bank website. For example, the average wage for cooks is $16.55 per hour in Toronto and $18.00 in Vancouver. For general office clerks, the average is $25.00 in Toronto and $25.07 in Vancouver. There are of course exceptions, but in many occupations wages appear to be slightly higher in Vancouver.

*As of March 2024

Housing Costs

Vancouver is said to have the highest housing costs in Canada. In Metro Vancouver, the group of cities around Vancouver, costs are comparable to central Tokyo in Japan. Average housing costs in Toronto seem to be lower than in Vancouver, but only slightly, by about the same margin as the difference in minimum wage.

Health Insurance

Health insurance equivalent to Japan’s National Health Insurance is administered by each province. In Ontario, where Toronto is located, the health premium is free if your taxable income is $20,000 or less, and $900 per year if your taxable income is $200,600 or more. In BC, where Vancouver is located, there are no premiums regardless of income.

Compulsory Education (Elementary to High School)

As for the cost of children’s education, elementary, middle and high school tuition is free in Canada, so there is no difference between Toronto and Vancouver. For preschool-age child care, recent statistics show an average of about $1,600 per month in Toronto and about $1,400 per month in Vancouver. Looking at past figures as well, child care has always been slightly more expensive in Toronto than in Vancouver.

There is no major difference in the quality of elementary, middle and high school education between Toronto and Vancouver. In both cities, schools bring together children from many different cultural backgrounds, so your children will make friends of many ethnicities.

Post-Secondary Education (Colleges and Universities)

The University of Toronto is said to be the top university in Canada. Vancouver, on the other hand, is home to UBC (University of British Columbia), which is said to be the second-best university in Canada.

There are more public college options around Toronto, and many of them seem to have slightly lower admission requirements than those in Vancouver. On the other hand, private colleges, which have even lower admission requirements, are more common in Vancouver.

*Health insurance premiums and education costs vary depending on your status in Canada. If you have not yet obtained permanent residence, please check separately.

For federal (national) programs, the permanent residence application criteria are exactly the same in Toronto and Vancouver, but the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) differ.

Ontario’s PNP

Most streams cannot be applied for without a nomination from an employer. Under the PNP of Ontario, where Toronto is located, the requirements for the nominating employer are strict, and among small and medium-sized businesses there are not many employers that are able to apply.

British Columbia’s PNP

Meanwhile, following changes to its points system in November 2022, the PNP of British Columbia, where Vancouver is located, gives extra points for jobs in cities in the province outside the Metro Vancouver area. Healthcare, childcare and IT occupations were also favoured at that time; since April 2026, the program has focused on care (healthcare, education and childcare), construction trades, and high-impact talent.

Both Ontario and British Columbia used to have streams that allowed graduates of master’s and doctoral programs in the province to apply for the PNP without an employer’s nomination. However, British Columbia’s International Post-Graduate stream stopped accepting applications on January 7, 2025, and Ontario closed its Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams on May 30, 2026, as part of its OINP redesign.

Toronto and Vancouver each have their own strengths. First, you need to think carefully about what you want to prioritize — finances, education, ease of getting permanent residence, lifestyle… — and then decide.

If you are unsure what is best for you, please consult Shiraishi Visa JP Canada. Our counsellors and immigration consultants are always happy to help.