Cost of Living

What Torontonians make and how they spend it

“I’m saving up to travel when the borders open”

REGULAR EXPENSES

RENT $2,000 a month.

INTERNET $85 a month, with Bell. GROCERIES $400 a month, from Walmart in Bendale. “I like Walmart because it’s got everything, from fresh produce to household products, so I don’t need to visit several stores during Covid.” CELLPHONE $110 a month, for unlimited data, with Freedom Mobile.

TAKEOUT $200 a month. “I order at least once a week from Nando’s in Dorset Park. I like the lemon-herb chicken and periperi fries.”

CAR-RELATED EXPENSES $485 a month, for insurance, gas and maintenance. “I drive downtown to my office, as well as out to the Scarborough Bluffs to take walks.”

SUBSCRIPTIONS $8 a month, for Amazon Prime. “I recently started watching

The Underground Railroad.”

SAVINGS $1,000 a month, split between an RRSP, a TFSA and a regular savings account. “I’m saving up to travel when the borders open—maybe an all-inclusive vacation in Jamaica.”

RECENT SPLURGES

2020 HYUNDAI TUCSON $37,000. “It’s my first new car. I bought it using a bank loan, which I’m paying off at $400 a month.” MAKEUP $150, for lipstick, eyeshadow and lashes, from Luxe Beauty House.

AFRICA T-SHIRTS $120, from Clothing by AIM. “I bought one shirt with a graphic of the African continent, and another one that says ‘Africa’ on the front.”