Toronto at a Glance
Population, climate, cost of living, transit, and everything else you need to know about Canada's largest city.
Population (City)
2.79M
2021 Census
Metro Population
6.2M
Greater Toronto Area
Area
630 km²
243 sq miles
Founded
1834
Incorporated as a city
Overview
Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. Situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, it is a global city and one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world. The city proper has a population of approximately 2.79 million, while the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is home to over 6.2 million people.
Toronto serves as Canada's financial and commercial capital. The city is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), the headquarters of Canada's five largest banks, and a significant concentration of the country's business and cultural institutions. It consistently ranks among the world's most liveable cities.
Official Language
English
French is co-official federally
Time Zone
ET (UTC-5)
EDT in summer (UTC-4)
Elevation
76 m
249 ft above sea level
Currency
CAD $
Canadian Dollar
Country Dialling Code
+1
Area codes: 416, 647, 437
Postal Code Prefix
M
All Toronto postal codes start with M
Climate
Toronto has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, winters are cold with regular snowfall, and spring and autumn provide transitional periods with moderate temperatures. Lake Ontario has a moderating effect on the city's climate.
| Season | Months | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec – Feb | -1°C to -4°C | -7°C to -11°C | Snow, wind chill can reach -25°C |
| Spring | Mar – May | 4°C to 18°C | -3°C to 8°C | Cherry blossoms late April |
| Summer | Jun – Aug | 24°C to 27°C | 14°C to 18°C | Humid, humidex can hit 40°C+ |
| Autumn | Sep – Nov | 8°C to 22°C | 1°C to 14°C | Beautiful fall colours in ravines |
Annual Rainfall
684 mm
27 inches
Annual Snowfall
108 cm
43 inches
Sunny Days
~305
Per year on average
Cost of Living
Toronto is one of the most expensive cities in Canada, driven primarily by housing costs. The cost of living is comparable to Chicago or Washington, D.C., though housing has risen faster than most North American cities in recent years.
Avg. 1BR Rent (Downtown)
$2,300/mo
Approximate, varies by neighbourhood
Avg. 1BR Rent (Outside Downtown)
$1,900/mo
Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke
Avg. Home Price (City)
~$1.1M
Detached and semi-detached
Avg. Condo Price
~$700K
Downtown core
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| TTC Monthly Pass | $156 |
| Cup of Coffee | $4 – $6 |
| Dinner for Two (Mid-Range) | $80 – $120 |
| Monthly Gym Membership | $50 – $80 |
| Monthly Groceries (Single) | $400 – $600 |
| Internet (Monthly) | $60 – $100 |
| Pint of Beer (Bar) | $8 – $12 |
Transit
Toronto has an extensive public transit system operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), supplemented by regional services (GO Transit) and emerging light rail projects.
Subway Lines
4
77 stations
Bus Routes
190+
Including express routes
Streetcar Routes
10
North America's largest streetcar network
Annual TTC Riders
~530M
Pre-pandemic levels
GO Transit Stations
68
Regional rail across the GTA
Bike Share Stations
680+
Toronto Bike Share
Subway Lines
Demographics
Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Over half of the city's population was born outside of Canada, and residents speak over 200 languages. The city's diversity is not just a statistic — it defines the character of nearly every neighbourhood.
Born Outside Canada
51%
Higher than New York or London
Languages Spoken
200+
At home across the GTA
Visible Minority Pop.
52%
2021 Census
Indigenous Population
~23,000
First Nations, Inuit, Metis
Median Age
39.3
Slightly younger than national average
Top Origin Countries
India, China, Philippines
Largest immigrant communities
Economy
Toronto is Canada's economic engine, contributing roughly 20% of the national GDP. The city has a diversified economy spanning finance, technology, film production, healthcare, education, and real estate.
GDP (Toronto CMA)
~$420B
Approx. 20% of Canada's GDP
Unemployment Rate
~6.5%
Varies seasonally
Median Household Income
~$84,000
Before tax, 2021 Census
Fortune 500 HQs
11
More than any other Canadian city
Tech Workers
240K+
Third-largest tech hub in North America
Film/TV Production
#3 in N.A.
After LA and New York
Key Industries
Education
Toronto is home to some of Canada's and the world's leading educational institutions. The University of Toronto consistently ranks among the top 25 universities globally.
Universities
4 major
U of T, York, TMU, OCAD
Colleges
5+
George Brown, Humber, Seneca, Centennial, Sheridan
U of T Global Ranking
Top 25
QS World University Rankings
Public School Boards
2
TDSB (secular) and TCDSB (Catholic)
Healthcare
Ontario operates a universal healthcare system (OHIP) that covers medically necessary services for residents. Toronto is home to several world-class hospitals and research centres.
Major Hospitals
20+
Including teaching hospitals
OHIP Coverage
Universal
For eligible Ontario residents
Wait for OHIP
3 months
For new residents to Ontario
Walk-in Clinics
Hundreds
No appointment needed
Top Hospital
UHN
University Health Network
Research Centres
MaRS, SickKids
World-leading medical research
Daily Life
Toronto is a city that works. The infrastructure is solid, the services are reliable, and the quality of life is high by global standards. It is not perfect — housing affordability is a genuine crisis, and winter tests everyone — but the combination of safety, diversity, culture, and opportunity makes it one of the best cities in the world to call home.
Safety
Very Safe
Low violent crime for a major city
Tap Water
Excellent
Lake Ontario sourced, filtered
Green Space
1,600+
Parks across the city
Ravine System
300+ km
Urban trail network
Restaurants
8,000+
One of the most diverse food cities
Libraries
100+
Toronto Public Library branches
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