Someone Asked If Moving To Toronto For A $50K Government Job Is Worth It & It's A 'Big No Way' (2024)

CN tower in Toronto. Right: Aerial view of Montreal.

Would you move from Montreal to Toronto for a job? And if so, how much money is enough?

A person started a discussion on Reddit after receiving a government job offer in Toronto and was considering moving from Montreal. However, they were worried about whether they could live off of their $50,000 paycheque.

The Redditor, u/hereforfunnnnnnnn, said, "I have been offered a government job that requires me to move to Toronto. My main hesitation is salary. It doesn't seem like $50,000 is enough to make ends meet in this city."

from askTO

"I was thinking maybe this move would open up doors for me as there are some good opportunities in Toronto. But I'm just starting off my career and tbh I'm not sure a social science degree and little experience could get me a job with a Toronto living wage anytime soon," they added.

The person then asked if it was "worth the risk" and if they could "really live off of a $50k salary." Many quickly shared their opinions and the main consensus was that it's a "BIG NO WAY."

Someone responded: "Living solo is almost out of the question unless you want a studio basem*nt in the suburbs, even at that you'd be spending money commuting to work." However, they did share that if the person has a partner, it would be more "doable," but it's tough with a $50,000 salary.

from askTO

Another government worker quickly agreed and said, "Yeah this is a big no, if that salary is 50k before taxes and deductions it's a HUGE NO! I work in government, comparing my salary before tax & deductions Vs after is a painful sight."

According to CareerBeacon, the average salary in Toronto is $62,050, whereas the average wage in Canada is $54,450. Moreover, the average cost of living in Toronto is $3,985 per month. So with a $50,000 salary, you're making a net income of roughly $3,290 per month, which would be cutting it close.

from askTO

Others shared that living in the city with that salary could be possible but "with roommates and no car." They shared, "This would be the only way."

However, the main issue in many people's comments is based solely on rent. This has been an ongoing problem in Toronto for some time now. The average rent in the city has reached $3,000 a month and people are struggling to meet these demands.

"If you have it semi-good in Montreal don't come to Toronto expecting better. Unfortunately, 50k is not enough to have a good life here if you are not already established," someone shared.

Someone Asked If Moving To Toronto For A $50K Government Job Is Worth It & It's A 'Big No Way' (2024)

FAQs

Is a 50k salary enough to live in Toronto? ›

A salary of $50,000 per year means that you would be taking home about $39,642 per year after taxes, or $3,303 per month to pay for things like housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment. The average household income in Toronto is $121,200.

Is 55k a good salary in Toronto? ›

The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $55,000 a year in Toronto makes 11.4% less than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $43,183.

Is moving to Toronto worth it? ›

Living in Toronto is costly. It's often hectic and crowded, and traffic is a constant problem. But if you want to settle down in a dynamic and exciting metropolis with low crime, first-rate access to modern conveniences like healthcare, education, and amusem*nt, then Toronto should be at the top of your list.

How much to earn to live in Toronto? ›

The overall cost of living per person is around CAD 3539. So, a monthly salary of at least CAD 4,500 – CAD 5,000 is required to keep up with the Toronto standard of living. This salary will help you cover your necessary expenses such as rent, food, transportation, healthcare, and so on.

What is the best salary to live comfortably in Canada? ›

A single person needs a yearly salary of $45,000 and up (after taxes) to live comfortably in Canada, while a family of four needs roughly $90,000 to $100,000. Factors will affect this, such as the lifestyle and region you live in.

Is 55000 dollars a good salary in Canada? ›

$55,000 is $9,600 less than the average yearly salary of $64,600 in Calgary. A salary of $55,000 per year means that you would be taking home about $42,966 per year after taxes, or $3,580 per month to pay for things like housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment.

Can you live off of 50k a year in Canada? ›

Canada is a lovely place for couples to live together. However, the cost of living for a couple may be high for young couples – it averages down to around $3,500 a month. It is advisable to have around $50,000 for a year of living in Canada as partners.

How much is 55k after taxes in Toronto? ›

If you make $55,000 a year living in the region of Ontario, Canada, you will be taxed $15,100. That means that your net pay will be $39,900 per year, or $3,325 per month. Your average tax rate is 27.5% and your marginal tax rate is 35.5%.

What are the disadvantages of living in Toronto? ›

What Are the Disadvantages of Living in Toronto?
  • High cost of living.
  • Traffic congestion.
  • Long commute times.
  • Sparse and expensive city centre parking.
  • Crowded city centre — especially in the subway during rush hours.
  • Cold winters, humid summers.
  • Pricey homes.
  • Increasingly expensive apartment rental prices.
Nov 15, 2023

Is there a downside to living in Canada? ›

Cost of Living: Canada has a high cost of living, particularly in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Housing, transportation, and food costs can be expensive. Weather: Canada has long and harsh winters, with snow and ice covering much of the country for several months each year.

Is it easy to live in Toronto without a car? ›

Toronto boasts an efficient public transit system that includes buses, subways, and streetcars, making it easy to navigate the city without a car. With well-mapped routes and regular schedules, you're never far from your next ride.

How much is rent in Toronto? ›

Monthly Occupancy Costs
Unit Size2024 Average Market Rent2024 80% of Average Market Rent
1 bedroom apartment$1,708$1,366
2 bedroom apartment$1,992$1,594
3 bedroom apartment$2,241$1,793
4 bedroom apartment$2,604$2,083
10 more rows
Feb 15, 2024

What is considered low income in Toronto? ›

A family of six earning $70,000 a year could be considered low-income, while a single person earning $30,000 may not.

How much do you need to make to afford rent in Toronto? ›

You have to earn $40 an hour to reasonably afford a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto, report suggests. $40/hour wage needed to live comfortably in T.O. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alernatives calculated an $83,000 a year salary would allow a person to afford comfortably in T.O. Reaction to Toronto unaffordability.

Is 50k a year good in Ontario? ›

How much do 50k a year jobs pay per year in ontario? $50,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $76,000 is the 90th percentile.

Can you live off 40k a year in Toronto? ›

$40,000 is $22,050 less than the average yearly salary of $62,050 in Toronto. A salary of $40,000 per year means that you would be taking home about $32,417 per year after taxes, or $2,701 per month to pay for things like housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment.

Is 45k a good salary in Toronto? ›

$45,000 is $17,050 less than the average yearly salary of $62,050 in Toronto. A salary of $45,000 per year means that you would be taking home about $36,104 per year after taxes, or $3,009 per month to pay for things like housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 5645

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.