staffManagerFor anyone planning to move to either Toronto or Vancouver, the decision is not easy. Although both cities are prosperous and offer excellent lifestyles, their differences may ultimately determine your decision.
The culture, cost of living, climate, public transportation, and activities in Vancouver and Toronto can seem like they’re worlds apart. That said, Let’s take a look at the differences between Vancouver and Toronto.
A tale of Two Cities: Vancouver and Toronto at a Glance
Vancouver
Vancouver is the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada, located in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. The city was named after George Vancouver, who explored Burrard Inlet’s inner harbor in 1792 and named various locations in the city.
Because of its proximity to numerous waterways, including the Fraser River, the Strait of Georgia, and Burrard Inlet, the city has long been a center for trade and settlement.
Vancouver is also Canada’s largest port.
The city was also named one of the most livable cities in a Global Liveability Ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), with a livability index ranking of 96.1%.
This is due to Vancouver’s ability to provide adequate living conditions for all of its residents.
In addition, Vancouver has begun implementing policies to become the greenest city in the world, which adds to its allure.
This includes using electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions, green building policies, more sidewalks, cycling routes, and a comprehensive Zero Waste program.
Toronto
Toronto is a culturally diverse and densely populated city in Canada, located on Lake Ontario’s northwestern shore.
The lake is part of Canada’s border with the United States and has access to Atlantic shipping via the St. Lawrence Seaway and other major industrial centers.
As a result, the city is known as one of the world’s largest financial centers. Furthermore, Toronto is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, one of Canada’s five largest banks.
According to the EIU’s Global Liveability Index, Toronto is among the world’s top ten most livable cities. In fact, the city’s livability index ranks 95%.
Furthermore, Toronto has implemented several green initiatives to become a more energy-efficient city.
This includes a deep lake water cooling system, which reduces the energy required to cool these buildings by 90% by utilizing various renewable energy sources such as geothermal plants, green roofs, and LED streetlights.
Climate
The weather in Vancouver and Toronto differs significantly. Vancouver has a more moderate climate, with pleasant summers and mild winters compared to Toronto. Both cities, however, have warm summers, making them ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
During the summer, Vancouver has average daily highs of 20°C, while Toronto has an average of 25°C, with July being the hottest month with hot and humid weather.
Vancouver is positioned near the Pacific Ocean and has the North Shore mountains to keep it warm. As a result, the city receives less snowfall.
On the other hand, because Toronto is located in the inlands, it’s cold and has severe winters with snow deeper than 1 cm. The snowy period in Toronto lasts for about 5 months, from November to April.
Overall Climate Comparison of Vancouver and Toronto
Our Verdict:
Both cities have excellent weather for outdoor activities. However, Vancouver has a more pleasant climate than Toronto, making it more appealing to people who enjoy spending time outside.
Public Transportation
Vancouver’s public transportation system consists of the Translink system, which includes buses, the Seabus, and the Skytrain, all of which are environmentally friendly and can take you almost anywhere in the city.
The only downside is that the Skytrain stops running at 1:30 a.m. on weekdays. However, there’s an available alternative as the city provides a late-night bus service that starts around 2:00 a.m.
The NightBus District is located at West Georgia and Granville Street and has over ten stops throughout downtown Vancouver.
While Vancouver’s public transportation system is more efficient, Toronto has the most extensive public transportation network in Canada, which is ideal for such a big city.
The city operates subways, streetcars, buses, and ferries that cover a large area of the city and neighborhoods. Toronto has four subway lines and constantly expands its existing lines as the city grows.
Overhead electric cables power streetcars in Toronto, and these vehicles are equipped with access ramps and priority seating.
Overall Public Transportation Comparison of Vancouver and Toronto
Our Verdict:
In general, both cities have an impressive public transportation system. Both Vancouver and Toronto offer an accessible public transportation system, and they have implemented innovative ways for people to move around their cities.
But if you ask us, we were more impressed with Toronto as they have a large transportation system that almost eliminates the need to buy private cars.
Activities
Vancouver is a phenomenal city surrounded by nature, mountains, trees, gardens, oceans, and many more. While in Toronto, people are more business minded as streets are filled with offices and commercial spaces.
Toronto is an action-packed city with world-class entertainment, live music events, restaurants, and festivals, among other things. In comparison to Vancouver, there is less nature and fewer and less appealing parks.
Nonetheless, the city has its own unique charm, with its abundance of high-rise buildings and the promise of a fast-paced lifestyle.
Toronto’s nightlife is also far more vibrant than Vancouver’s, with diverse and dynamic nightlife districts such as King West, Queen West, Parkdale, Ossington Avenue, and The Annex.
While Vancouverites enjoy the nightlife, the city is more focused on nature. You won’t have to go far in the city to find a park, yoga studio, or other outdoor activities.
Vancouver is right beside the ocean and only 30 minutes from the mountains.
So whether you want to go hiking in Grouse Mountain, kayaking, skiing at Whistler Blackcomb, cycling at Stanley Park, or all of the above, the city can definitely accommodate you.
Overall Comparison of Activities in Vancouver and Toronto
Our Verdict:
Both cities offer their own unique charms. Vancouver provides a more relaxed environment where you can build a strong connection with nature, while Toronto fits better for those who prefer a fast-paced lifestyle.
Overall, we think Vancouver has more exciting activities that are fun for plenty of preferences.
Cultural Diversity
Vancouver and Toronto are two of Canada’s most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities. Both cities are home to over 200 ethnic groups from around the world and Indigenous communities in Canada.
Despite Toronto being named one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Vancouver isn’t far behind, with only a 2% difference based on a census released by Statistics Canada.
Overall Cultural Diversity Comparison in Vancouver and Toronto
Our Verdict:
While both cities are one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada. Toronto offers a more multicultural community based on a census released by Statistics Canada.
Culture
Toronto is Canada’s commercial center, whereas Vancouver is more of an international lifestyle community.
Toronto has a work-centric culture where everything evolves around work and achievements. It has a fast-paced culture with people on the go, taking trains, buses, and subways to get where they need to go.
However, Toronto’s art scene clearly outperforms Vancouver’s. The city is known as an artistic and cultural hub in Canada, with 93% more artists than any other Canadian city.
The city is also home to numerous independent museums, such as the Art Gallery of Ontario, Aga Khan Museum, and the Gardiner Museum.
Ultimately, Toronto is a fantastic city for people who enjoy big cities and urban culture.
On the other hand, Vancouver is more laid-back, and although it has its fair share of art galleries, the city is more known to have rich and stunning outdoor beauty.
Overall Culture Comparison in Vancouver and Toronto
Our Verdict:
Both cities have different cultural vibes, with Vancouver having a more relaxed environment. Toronto has a work-centric culture which explains why they’re Canada’s commercial center.
Cost of Living
In general, both Toronto and Vancouver are expensive cities to live in, with housing costs playing a significant role. This is because both cities have a high demand for housing.
Overall Cost of Living Comparison in Vancouver and Toronto
Our Verdict:
To summarize, while Toronto is not a cheap city to live in, Vancouver is unquestionably more expensive, with an average cost of living that is 10% higher than in Toronto.
In general, Vancouver has a more natural feel than densely populated Toronto.
Both cities have a lot going on, but at the end of the day, you’ll feel like you’re riding a bike along a busy highway in one and walking or biking beside nature in the other.
Just in case you need a little help with moving, here are a few helpful articles you should check:
